Must-See Resort & Hotel Wedding Venues for City, Desert, and Beach Weddings

We’ve featured hundreds of real weddings highlighting brides and grooms who have had their dream wedding by the beach, on a rooftop in the city, or even in the magical desert – and they’re all stunning!

Take a look at some of our favorite hotels and resorts across North America – all of which make for an excellent wedding venue to host friends and family for a fairy-tale ceremony, dreamy cocktail hour, and exquisite dinner reception.

Beach Wedding Venues

It’s not a surprise that a beach wedding is one of the most sought-after wedding styles for brides and grooms.

From the shores of the East Coast to the West Coast, beach wedding venues are aplenty and therefore fit a variety of wedding formalities. From casual, laid-back beach weddings to black-tie, luxurious beach wedding soirées, weddings by the beach are romantic and dreamy.

Whether you desire a true beach wedding on the sand or a wedding with access to the seaside and boardwalk, we’re sharing some of our favorite beach wedding venues across the continent from South Florida to New Brunswick to Southern California to help inspire your celebration.

The Algonquin Resort St. Andrews by the Sea, Autograph Collection

Brides and grooms looking for a historic wedding venue in a charming seaside town will fall in love with The Algonquin Resort St. Andrews by-the-Sea, Autograph Collection. As one of the most beautiful oceanfront locations in the New Brunswick province of Canada, the elegant year-round resort – which has served guests from around the world for over a century –will be the perfect place to welcome loved ones and say “I do.”

From pre-wedding spa treatments with the bridal party at The Algonquin Spa to a round of golf with the family at an award-winning Rod Whitman course, the Saint Andrews wedding weekend will start out strong. When it’s time for the wedding day, couples are invited to exchange vows during a memorable outdoor ceremony (perfect for the pair who wants a beach wedding not on the sand), followed by a reception in the elegant Shaughnessy Ballroom complete with a custom dinner menu designed by a team of experienced chefs.

Friends and family will also enjoy savoring fresh New Brunswick seafood at the property’s signature restaurant, Braxton’s Restaurant & Bar, which features varying seasonal menus offering fresh local ingredients and coastal flavors.

There’s also no shortage of on-site activities for the couple and their guests to enjoy before and after the wedding, with indoor and outdoor swimming pools as well as a three-story waterslide, the 2021 Golf Digest Editors’ Choice Award winning The Algonquin Golf Course, and of course, The Algonquin Spa providing customized treatments for guests who choose to enjoy.

JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort

For pairs envisioning a quintessential beach wedding, JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort will certainly check all of the boxes. Located in South Florida, the luxurious Marco Island property is situated along three miles of pristine private beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. With 12 restaurants, two championship golf courses, and a world-class spa, there’s something for every couple – and wedding guest – to enjoy.

Brides and grooms are matched with certified event planners to organize a celebration to remember from the welcome party to the wedding day to the morning-after brunch! Get married on a white-sand beach or on a picturesque lawn with ocean views, and celebrate with loved ones in a Balinese-inspired ballroom or on a palm-lined terrace. From intimate destination weddings to grand, luxurious ballroom weddings, couples can customize an array of wedding packages to fit their ideal beach wedding weekend.

While the resort is family-friendly, pairs desiring an adults-only wedding may want to invite their loved ones to stay at Paradise by Sirene, a 21+ haven within the property complete with 94 guest rooms and suites, elevated dining options, a rooftop sun deck and pool, and a beach attendant, along with access to the resort’s additional amenities and lively entertainment.

Lido House, Autograph Collection

For those desiring a coastal beach wedding, Lido House, Autograph Collection in Newport Beach, California, offers an authentic beach house experience that blends classic Cape Cod style with a modern, California cool vibe. Nearby Lido Marina Village and Balboa Peninsula, the hotel, which is situated on the site of former City Hall, welcomes guests who want to experience Newport Beach’s vibrant atmosphere, bustling marina, and white-sand beaches.

Locals and visitors alike will look forward to celebrating at this stunning venue, complete with 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event spaces that give off a California beach house feel ideal for laid-back nuptials and luxurious fêtes. Whether a rooftop welcome party and an intimate rehearsal dinner at The Captain’s Table private dining room, or a wedding ceremony on the beautifully lit Lido Lawn and a lavish reception in the Boathouse Ballroom, weddings at Lido House are effortless and offer exquisite culinary packages.

When wedding guests aren’t visiting the shops and restaurants surrounding the hotel, they’ll enjoy relaxing poolside, indulging in spa treatments at Boost Spa, sipping cocktails at Topside – Newport Beach’s only rooftop bar, and dining at chef-driven signature restaurant The Mayor’s Table. The property even has its own signature Champagne blend – The Lido Blend: Piper-Heidsieck Essentiel Cuvée Réservée – which will certainly provide the perfect celebratory toast for the bride and groom, as well as their loved ones.

Should the couple and their friends and family desire a more private escape, five three-story Lido House Cottages are also available to book. Each designed by a different design house, the cottages have their own looks and personalities – from mid-century meets coastal glam to Nantucket-inspired style to vintage nautical aesthetics – to make every guest feel like they’re staying at their own beach house.

City Wedding Venue Ideas

If you’re looking for a wedding venue that has all of the modern amenities you and your guests will need to have a posh celebration and a comfortable stay, a city wedding may be for you. From historic properties filled with charm and stunning architecture to modern hotels offering unparalleled city views, these metropolitan destinations will create the perfect setting for a glamorous fête.

For those wanting to host a stylish, sophisticated celebration in their favorite city, we’re sharing our favorite city wedding venues across the country from Boston, Charlotte, Washington, DC, and more!

AC Hotel by Marriott Charlotte Ballantyne

Brides and grooms getting married in North Carolina who want to have a modern city-style soirée will adore AC Hotel by Marriott Charlotte Ballantyne. Located within Ballantyne Village, guests will be able to take advantage of the shopping, dining, and activities just steps away. Offering unparalleled views of Uptown Charlotte and the surrounding suburbs, the property features 186 guest rooms with large windows, modern and technological amenities, and of course, comfortable accommodations with sleek furniture and premier bedding.

Wedding attendees staying on-site will be happy to find a yoga studio and state-of-the-art fitness center on the eighth floor, and they can also take advantage of the European-inspired breakfast and locally sourced espresso bar at AC Kitchen in the morning, as well as tapas, Spanish wines, and hand-crafted cocktails and local brews at AC Lounge in the evening.

With a professional staff and optimal catering services, brides and grooms will have the city wedding they’ve always imagined at this elegant property. The standout Panorama Ballroom on the 16th floor showcases towering floor-to-ceiling windows that provide an unmatched view of the cityscape to set the tone for a classic celebration in Charlotte.

Boston Marriott Long Wharf

Couples hoping to find a city-meets-coastal wedding destination will be excited to visit Boston Marriott Long Wharf. Located in Downtown Boston, the property offers picturesque views of both the city skyline and the iconic waterfront. Surrounded by the energy of Boston Harbor, it’s the perfect place to host loved ones so they can get to know your favorite city.

Whether you’re hosting an intimate ceremony or a grand reception, the waterfront hotel provides over 20,000 square feet of event spaces. Couples will be delighted to work with expert wedding specialists to ensure the planning process is seamless, and a seasoned culinary team will make sure attendees are delighted with customized wedding menus.

With the Boston Harbor as your backdrop, the Palm Garden Atrium makes for an ideal ceremony venue, a cocktail hour on the Harbor View Terrace offers wonderful views, and a reception in either the connected Harbor View Ballroom featuring panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows or the Grand Ballroom, which seats up to 450 guests, can be transformed to fit a grand wedding style.

Hotel Forty Five, Macon, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

For couples who want to say “I do” at a historic boutique hotel in the city, Hotel Forty Five, Macon, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel located in Macon, Georgia, is a must-see! Rooted deep in the history of the city, the hotel is situated on an iconic 45-degree angle and showcases the effortless charm and Southern sophistication and hospitality that Macon is known for.

The property was designed to tell the story of the historical significance in the area through art, architecture, and hospitality, with 94 rooms and gathering spaces that illustrate an indie spirit. Visitors will love exploring the history of the city by visiting the nearby Hay House and Tubman Museum, hiking through Amerson River Park, attending a show at the Macon Auditorium, kayaking along the Ocmulgee River, or biking through the Historic Downtown area.

With both indoor and outdoor spaces that honor the history of the city, the hotel is a wonderful choice for couples who want to host a trendy, modern celebration in a historical setting. With traditional event spaces that can be reimagined for a stylish hotel ceremony and reception, the décor options vary widely. Brides and grooms can even select the property’s signature restaurant Loom for a reception or morning-after brunch, as well as Hightales Rooftop Bar on the sixth floor for an alfresco ceremony or reception with magnificent city views.

The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection

When you’ve selected The Mayflower Hotel, Autograph Collection as the backdrop to your wedding in Washington, DC, you’ve set the tone for a chic city soirée at one of the most storied hotels; an experience that is exactly like nothing else. From arriving to the architecturally stunning lobby, to checking in to the hotel’s thoughtfully designed guest rooms and suites, the property effortlessly blends historic grandeur with the most modern amenities.

A landmark hotel since 1925, The Mayflower Hotel offers 581 guest rooms and suites including the 2,200 square foot Presidential Suite with a private terrace, featuring city views of DC landmarks – as well as Edgar Bar & Kitchen, a renowned restaurant in Dupont Circle where J. Edgar Hoover dined daily that now serves creative twists on American classics and an extensive cocktail list.

To be “Married at The Mayflower” means that family and friends will make lasting memories in the spaces that have held inaugurations, visiting dignitaries and celebrities celebrating their own milestone events. The magnificent Grand Ballroom has served as the backdrop for 70 years of Presidential Inaugural Balls, the East and State Ballrooms have been home to state dinners and galas and now, they – along with any of the hotel’s elegantly appointed spaces can serve as the site of your spectacular city wedding that will set the tone for the next chapter in a beautiful life together.

Resort Venues for Desert Weddings

Whether you’re hosting a boho-chic alfresco wedding or a luxurious ballroom wedding, desert weddings are becoming increasingly popular. With stunning natural scenic beauty and comfortable temperatures during the months when most of the country is dealing with snow, desert wedding destinations can be a welcome respite for wedding guests during the colder months.

Should you wish to host your wedding in the desert, we’re sharing two gorgeous properties in Las Vegas, Nevada and Santa Fe, New Mexico, that will make for wonderful settings to host a dream wedding at an array of venue types to fit your desired wedding style.

JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa

One of the most popular wedding destinations in the world is Las Vegas – and not all Vegas weddings have Elvis impersonators performing the ceremony in a small chapel. The desert location is also home to stunning resorts that offer picture-perfect weddings, such as JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa – an upscale, Mediterranean-inspired property in Summerlin, located just minutes from the famous Las Vegas Strip and the gorgeous Red Rock Canyon.

Wedding parties can start the celebration with pre-wedding pampering for bridesmaids at the spa and a high-end barber shop experience for groomsmen at Gentlemen’s Tonic before the wedding weekend events even begin. From modern indoor venues and ballrooms featuring old-world charm to alfresco settings surrounded by palm trees and gardens, the desert oasis has 100,000 square feet of event spaces and everything couples need to plan their perfect big day.

Wedding guests will love having access to a plethora of culinary experiences offering international cuisines throughout the wedding weekend, as well as access to a championship TPC Las Vegas golf course, indulgent spa services at Spa Aquae, poolside cabanas, and of course, the on-site Rampart Casino for a bit of gambling fun off The Strip.

La Posada de Santa Fe, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa

Couples desiring a Southwestern wedding will fall in love with La Posada de Santa Fe, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa. Just steps away from the historic Santa Fe Plaza in New Mexico, guests will discover the unique charm and character of the destination with easy access to the New Mexico History Museum and Canyon Road art galleries. 

With a wide array of wedding venues – from outdoor spaces under the Santa Fe stars to well-appointed ballrooms like the Spanish Colonial-style Montana Ballroom – brides and grooms will have a number of settings at their fingertips. With a trusted wedding specialist on-site and catering options from an award-winning chef, couples simply need to sit back, relax, and enjoy their wedding at the boutique property featuring adobe-style architecture on six beautifully landscaped acres in the Santa Fe desert.

After the wedding festivities, attendees will retreat to casita-style guest rooms with luxury upgrades including fireplaces and private patios. Locals and visitors alike will enjoy spa treatments at Spa Sage, as well as lounging by a roaring fire at seasonal garden restaurant The Patio complete with live entertainment, savoring locally sourced ingredients at Julia, a Spirited Restaurant & Bar and Julia’s Social Club, and cozying up at the Staab House for a nightcap.

Whether you’re hosting a beach wedding, a city soirée, or a desert celebration, choosing a hotel wedding venue is often lauded as the “best decision” a couple makes during the planning process. Not only are hotels and resorts adept at hosting grand events, but they also offer wonderful amenities and easy access to the celebration for guests traveling from out of town or wanting a staycation.

With a number of indoor and outdoor wedding venues to choose from throughout every hotel and resort property, a dedicated staff and catering team to ensure everything is seamless from start to finish, and remarkable accommodations for the couple of honor as well as their guests, brides and grooms will have everything they need from the beginning of the planning process to the big day.

To see more wedding venue ideas for beach weddings, city weddings, and desert weddings, take a look at the real weddings on InsideWeddings.com for endless inspiration!