Inside the Absolute Best Wedding Venues Across the US

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor.
Collage of best wedding venues in the US
Photos: Getty, Stocksy | Design: Falak Khoja
Hannah Nowack The Knot Senior Weddings Editor
by
Hannah Nowack
Hannah Nowack The Knot Senior Weddings Editor
Hannah Nowack
Senior Editor
  • Hannah writes and edits articles for The Knot Worldwide, with a focus on real wedding coverage.
  • Hannah has a passion for DE&I and plays an integral role in ensuring The Knot content highlights all voices and all love stories.
  • Prior to The Knot Worldwide, Hannah was the Social Media Editor at Martha Stewart Weddings.
Updated Jun 06, 2024

There are thousands of wedding venues across the country, so how is it possible to determine the best wedding venues in the US? The discussion could lean into unique wedding venues in the US or it could cover the most popular spots or even the most affordable ones. But at the end of the day, the very best wedding venue is the one that fits your specific needs and wedding style. And we're here to help you find that perfect wedding venue for your celebration.

Before you book a wedding location, take a look at our guides to all of the most beautiful venues in the US–we have a guide for all 50 states plus Washington, DC. Bookmark your faves and then do a site tour of your finalists so you can make a well-informed decision. (Psst: Download The Knot App before you head out so you'll have all your wedding planning tools at your fingertips while you visit properties.)

The Best Wedding Venues Across the US: Midwest | Northeast | Southeast | Southwest | West

What to Look for in the Best Midwest Wedding Venues

The Midwest is home to some of the most amazing wedding venues in the US. From the Great Plains of Kansas to the shores of Michigan, wedding venues in the Midwest run the gamut when it comes to style. In particular, these are unique barn, lakeside and forest wedding venues across the Midwest.

Since many states in the Midwest are larger, but less densely populated, than their coastal counterparts, transportation and accessibility should be kept in mind when deciding on the best Midwest wedding venue for your celebration. A perk of the more rural nature of the Midwest is that it is generally more affordable to tie the knot in this region than in other US states.

Find Your Wedding Venue in the Midwest: Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Michigan | Minnesota | Missouri | Nebraska | North Dakota | Ohio | South Dakota | Wisconsin

What to Look for in the Best Northeast Wedding Venues

On the hunt for a unique wedding venue in the Northeast? Because of all the amazing cities in this region, like NYC, Boston and Philadelphia, some of the best wedding venues in the US can be found in the Northeast.

Find your kind of venue

From barns to ballrooms, discover reception venues that feel like you.

The Northeast tends to get ample rainfall and often faces harsh winters so researching Northeast wedding venues with good rain backup plans and indoor spaces is critical. Additionally, the Northeast is comprised of many densely populated cosmopolitan areas so couples sourcing wedding venues in the Northeast can expect to pay a premium. Banquet halls and hotel wedding venues are especially popular options for wedding venues in the Northeast. But there are also many eye-catching urban rooftop wedding venues in the Northeast for couples to consider. In short, a wedding in the Northeast is an investment, but it is certainly going to be a stunning, worthwhile one.

Find Your Wedding Venue in the Northeast: Connecticut | Delaware | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | Vermont | Washington, DC

What to Look for in the Best Southeast Wedding Venues

Southern hospitality means that not only does this region boast beautiful wedding venues, but it is also home to venues renowned for their top-notch service. Some of the best wedding venues in the Southeast US are country clubs, estates and beachfront resorts.

The Southeast faces hot, humid summers and can often be caught off-guard by hurricanes so having a weather plan in place is a must for Southeast wedding venues. A perk of weddings in the Southeast is that they are generally quite accessible thanks to the many major airports, like Atlanta and Orlando, that guests can fly into.

Find Your Wedding Venue in the Southeast: Alabama | Arkansas | Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Louisiana | Mississippi | North Carolina | South Carolina | Tennessee | Virginia | West Virginia

What to Look for in the Best Southwest Wedding Venues

What do wedding venues in the Southwest have to offer? Well, some of the prettiest wedding venues in the US can be found in these spacious, arid states.

As the saying goes, "Everything is bigger in Texas," and indeed many wedding venues in the region can accommodate large guest lists. Summer temperatures in the Southwest often reach triple digits so it's important to find a venue with good air conditioning. Alternatively, many couples looking for venues in this region might even consider tying the knot during the winter months to ensure a comfortable guest experience.

Find Your Wedding Venue in the Southwest: Arizona | New Mexico | Oklahoma | Texas

What to Look for in the Best West Wedding Venues

The varied terrain, access to nature and amazing weather across the American West are major reasons that couples look for beautiful wedding venues in this part of the US. For couples who want a mountain wedding venue, Colorado and Montana offer wonderful options while California and Hawaii shouldn't be overlooked when it comes to beach wedding venues. And of course, we cannot forget that the Pacific Northwest boasts great winery wedding venues.

Many couples marrying in the West opt for tented weddings, especially in California, so finding a venue that can accommodate both indoor and outdoor events may be wise. As for price, couples of all budgets can find something great in the West. While California tends to be more expensive, reasonable wedding venues are typically easy to find in Idaho, Utah and Nevada.

Find Your Wedding Venue in the West: Alaska | California | Colorado | Hawaii | Idaho | Montana | Nevada | Oregon | Utah | Washington | Wyoming

If, after perusing all 51 of our state guides (plus DC!), you still can't find a wedding venue you love, you can meander over to The Knot Vendor Marketplace and search geographically to get even more inspiration.

Up Next
  • Three unique wedding venues across the country
    31 Unique Wedding Venues That Will Amaze You