Country club weddings are all well and good, but if you’re hoping to say “I do” at a more imaginative location, there’s a whole world of phenomenal wedding venues to explore. Here are 20 of the most amazing in the country, curated by our friends at Wedding Spot, a site that helps couples compare venues based on location, style, and price. (Hey, unless you have a full-time wedding planner, we recommend taking all the help you can get.)
1. AHWANEE HOTEL, CALIFORNIA
The Ahwanee Hotel—which has played host to several presidents and queens—sits right in the middle of Yosemite National Park, which means your wedding will play out against a backdrop of towering mountains and lush valleys.
2. BROOKLYN GRANGE FARM, NEW YORK
The perfect combination of alternative and glamorous, this herb-scented venue—a rooftop farm that overlooks New York City—offers unparalleled skyline views.
3. BROOKMILL FARM, NEW JERSEY
This property features ancient trees, a trout-stocked pond, bridges, a waterfall, and a Colonial home dating to 1807. Best of all, you and your guests get the farm all to yourself for the entire weekend.
4. DOVER HALL ESTATE, VIRGINIA
A private English Tudor estate located in the hills of Virginia, Dover Hall offers 33,000 square feet of grounds overlooking endless acres of rolling hills and woodlands.
5. GLEN COVE MANSION, NEW YORK
This sprawling estate within New York’s historic Gold Coast can host up to 220 of your closest friends.
6. HAMMOND CASTLE MUSEUM, MASSACHUSETTS
Hammond Castle offers all the allure of a European castle—without having to ask your wedding guests to dust off their passports. The medieval-style castle overlooks the Atlantic shoreline and showcases Roman, medieval, and Renaissance artifacts.
7. HONU KAI LANI, HAWAII
Your tropical destination wedding doesn’t have to be officiated in the sand by a local. Honu Kai Lani, on Honolulu Island, is a one-of-a-kind modern chapel that offers a glass aisle and the sound of crashing waves.
8. INN ON BILTMORE, NORTH CAROLINA
Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Inn on Biltmore features a grand ballroom with chandeliers and serene panoramic views of the surrounding mountain peaks and lush forests.
9. KUKAHIKO ESTATE, HAWAII
Kukahiko Estate is a scenic family owned tropical estate nestled in a cove of lava rocks, which form a spectacular backdrop for an intimate outdoor reception.
10. MELLON AUDITORIUM, WASHINGTON, D.C.
For the couple that wants a piece of American history, the Mellon Auditorium—located across the street from the Smithsonian—is a good place to start.
11. ROBERT YOUNG ESTATE WINERY, CALIFORNIA
There are plenty of winery venues to choose from in Sonoma County, but few can hope to match this historic estate, which is set on 300 acres of vineyards, lawns, and gardens.
12. SALISH LODGE & SPA, WASHINGTON
Waterfalls await: At the Salish Lodge and Spa, couples are invited to swap vows atop the stunning Snoqualmie Falls.
13. SEDONA GOLF RESORT, ARIZONA
Set in the heart of one of the most scenic regions of the Southwest, the Sedona Golf Resort offers sweeping views of Sedona’s towering red stones—and one of the finest golf courses in the world.
14. THE ADDISON, FLORIDA
Say “I do” in a courtyard covered by a 100-year-old banyan tree, then host your reception inside the 1926 house, which was built by an acclaimed architect Addison Mizner and features art deco chandeliers and restored French doors.
15. THE PEAKS RESORT & SPA, COLORADO
Your Telluride wedding stars with a ceremony overlooking the San Juan Peaks then flows effortless into the reception, where your guests can watch the sun set behind the mountains.
16. THE WESTIN LAKE LAST VEGAS RESORT & SPA, NEVADA
Your Vegas wedding doesn’t have to involve an Elvis impersonator or a drive-through chapel. This resort is tucked on the banks of the scenic Lake Las Vegas—but still just a short drive from downtown for guests (and couples) who want a true Vegas experience.
17. VENTANAS, GEORGIA
Sorry, sparklers: For brides and groom who want to make an unexpected exit, the helipad at the Ventanas makes for the most dramatic send-off we can think of.
18. VILLA ANTONIA, TEXAS
Wait, are we in Texas or Tuscany? Well, Texas, but Villa Antonia has serious European vibes. The historic mansion, perched on a green hill an hour outside of Austin, offers terraces, gardens, bridges, and waterfalls.
19. WILD IRIS RETREAT, CALIFORNIA
You don’t need to host your backyard wedding in your backyard: The 300-acre Wild Iris Retreat, set among towering redwoods, gives majorly outdoorsy vibes—plus, private hiking trails, gardens, and river access. (The place is yours for the weekend. Enjoy.)
20. WINN HOMESTEAD EVENTS, OREGON
A barn-style wedding can’t get much more authentic than this: Winn Homestead offers couples a 1916 red barn with dramatic vaulted ceilings.
Want to see more? Click your way over to Wedding Spot to start searching for your perfect wedding venue.
Need more wedding inspo? Here’s a wedding-worthy updo from the BAFTA Awards.