The Best Places to Get Married in the US
You'll (hopefully) only do it once, so make your day extra special at these fabulous wedding destinations.
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Congratulations are in order – you’re getting married. At least, that’s the plan, and we hope you’ve already found your partner. And the good news is that divorces in the US hit an all-time low in 2019, so the omens are good: you might just last the distance. Speaking of distance, it’s something of a large country, so it might be tough to narrow down exactly where you want to do the deed (and in which luxury Plum Guide home you’d like to… OK, we'll stop). Anyway, you don’t need your activities dictated to you by a vacation rental website. What we can help with is where to actually stay and what to do (other than getting married) once there. We’ll go from east coast to west like the pioneers of old, offering up a platter of stunning destinations you’ll remember for the rest of your lives. Without further ado, say 'I do' in one of the best places to get married in the US.
The Hamptons, New York
If you want to have an exclusive marriage (as opposed to an open one – but hey, we don’t judge), then it makes sense to get hitched in an exclusive place. And there aren’t many places on earth quite as elite…in fact, we’re going to go with élite with the accent, such is its éliteness…than New York’s The Hamptons. A wedding in The Hamptons or New York City will set you back a few bob, but hey, it’s a once in a lifetime event (we hope). It’s believed that New York also has the highest photographers per capita in the country too, so you’re spoilt for choice for bohemian artists who want to crash your wedding and immortalise it in photos. If it’s summer, head to the beach to celebrate after the wedding. Coopers Beach, the Two Mile Hollow Beach and the Atlantic Avenue Beach are among the best sandy strands in the area. Then, treat yourselves to a meal at the fine-dining establishments of the 1770 House Restaurant, the North Fork Table and Inn and The American Hotel.
Aspen, Colorado
Can you imagine getting married in Aspen? While rubbing shoulders with rich and famous skiers down the slopes of the most exclusive resorts in the world? Well, why not? The Aspen Chamber even declares on its official website that ‘Colorado loves love’. So, if that’s not a resounding endorsement, we don’t know what is. Get married at one of the exclusive hotels and event locations with views of the stunning mountains. Then head back to one of our stunning Plum Guide homes. In summer, go hiking up and down the mountains to test your new marriage’s resolve in the most trying of ways. When snow graces the slopes in winter, go skiing down the greens, blues, reds and blacks. Break a leg… as in, good luck for the marriage.
Snowy mountains in Aspen, Colorado
Scottsdale, Arizona
There’s nothing more dramatic than getting married within a boulder’s throw of the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Scottsdale itself is charming, with an old-world historic centre and a lovely waterfront area. Mountains make up a dramatic backdrop and remind us of the forests and parks just outside the city. Embark on the weekly Scottsdale Art Walk on Thursday night for a glimpse into the galleries, making for a cultured marriage vacation. Being trendy ourselves, the Plum Guide has a great range of homes here.
The Grand Canyon, Arizona
Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
Is there anything more appealing in the world than the vast Lake Tahoe spread out before you, backed by dramatic mountains and forests? The answer is yes, your partner, of course. But Lake Tahoe is a close second, which is why we’ve chosen it as one of our best places to get married in the US. After getting married, take a boat cruise of the vast lake and try your luck in the casinos on the Nevada side. Go skiing in winter or take to the beach in summer. Make sure to bring enough sun cream, because those wedding photos will last a long time, and there’s only so much saturation a photographer can take out of your pink lobster face.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is actually not as far west as Lake Tahoe… who would have thought it. We’ve pretended it is for the sake of this article, because it seems weird not to.
The Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California
Anyway, this is probably not the first thing that comes to mind with Los Angeles, but did you know it has one of the country’s highest amount of churches per capita? OK, you may not want a religious wedding, but it certainly makes the city one of the best places to get married in the US. And on your special day, you’ll be able to choose from countless deluxe destinations that’ll make you feel like one of the city’s Hollywood stars for the day. Stick around for a few days in one of our gorgeous homes spread around the city, and explore the delights of the City of Angels. The STK Steakhouse, the Providence restaurant and Animal are among the upscale culinary gems. By the way, if you go to Google Maps and enter a trip from Aspen to Scottsdale to Lake Tahoe to Los Angeles and back to Aspen, you’ll form a perfect butterfly. A sign of beautiful things to come.