18 Famous Filming Locations You Can Book for a Destination Wedding

Cue the White Lotus theme song.
Snapshot of theatre where iconic scenes from "The Notebook" took place.
Photo: New Line Cinema,Property: The American Theater
sarah hanlon entertainment and celebrity editor the knot
by
Sarah Hanlon
sarah hanlon entertainment and celebrity editor the knot
Sarah Hanlon
Entertainment & Celebrity Editor
  • Sarah is the Entertainment & Celebrity Editor for The Knot, with special focuses on pop culture and celebrity wedding news.
  • Before joining The Knot Worldwide, Sarah was a contributing writer for Bravo at NBC Universal.
  • Sarah has a degree in journalism and resides in New York City.
Updated Feb 23, 2023

Calling all movie and television buffs: If you've ever dreamed of getting married at a famous filming location, we have great news—you can! Choosing a wedding venue is often one of the first (and, frankly, most important) planning decisions you'll make, as the setting has a direct impact on the cost and overall vibe of your big day. It's also where you have the opportunity to personalize your nuptials and showcase your personality. So, if you're a proud AMC A-List cardholder or an aspiring TV critic, why not swap vows at one of your favorite fictional settings?

From reality dating shows to critically acclaimed dramas, we've rounded up 18 famous filming locations that double as wedding venues. Our curated list includes everything from the dazzling Great Gatsby mansion to a swanky James Bond hotel, and even the castle that inspired Netflix's Wednesday. Mark our words: You'll want to make sure your passport is up to date.

The Great Gatsby Filming Location

Snapshot of the beautiful mansion from "The Great Gatsby."
Property: Paramount Pictures / Courtesy of Getty Images,Photo: Paramount Pictures / Courtesy of Getty Images

You don't have to dream of hosting a party like Jay Gatsby—you can actually do it at Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. This historic estate was one of the filming locations used for the 1974 film based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel The Great Gatsby. (Fans of the movie may be more familiar with the 2013 adaptation, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan. Although that version was largely filmed on studio sets created just for the movie, the designs were inspired by real Long Island mansions you can visit like Oheka Castle—but more on that below.)

Constructed between 1899 to 1902, Rosecliff Mansion is a staple of Newport's famed collection of Gilded Age mansions, inspired by the opulence of European castles. Standout details like a heart-shaped staircase and the largest ballroom in Newport make this famous filming location a dreamy choice for your fairytale wedding.

The White Lotus Season 2 Filming Location

Beautiful poolside resort in Italy.
Property: San Domenico Palace,Photo: HBO

If you, like the rest of world, got hooked on The White Lotus, you'll be thrilled to know you can get married at one of their filming locations. The HBO drama's second season took place in the idyllic city of Taormina, located on the southeastern coast of Sicily. The majority of The White Lotus season 2 was filmed at San Domenico Palace, a luxury hotel within the Four Seasons group. Fictional hijinks aside, this rustic Italian village would be a stunning place to swap vows.

Nestled next to the Ionian sea, this 14th-century era wedding venue has lush gardens, ocean-view terraces, and hidden courtyards, all of which can serve as the setting for your far-flung vow swap.

The Notebook Filming Location

Exterior of a stylish theatre in Charleston, South Carolina.
Property: The American Theater,Photo: New Line Cinema

Take a page out of Allie and Noah's notebook and say your I do's at The American Theater in Charleston, South Carolina. As fans will recall, the vintage movie house was the setting for this beloved fictional couple's first date. After leaving the theater, they go on to slow dance in the street, which has undeniably become one of the most iconic romance movie scenes of all time.

Today, you can book this memorable filming location for your nuptials in the heart of downtown Charleston. The interior of the movie house oozes old Hollywood glamor thanks to an intricate Art Deco design and framed portraits of iconic Tinsel Town flicks and actors. Not only can you rent out the theater's cinema seating for a private movie screening, you can also personalize the towering marquee sign overlooking King Street. Might we suggest "If you're a bird, I'm a bird," as your custom signage?

Wednesday Filming Location

Gothic-style mansion and home of Wednesday Adamms.
Property: @CantaCuzinocastle / Instagram,Photo: @WednesdayNetflix / Instagram

If you were captivated by the gothic architecture and moody interiors of Netflix's smash hit show Wednesday, you can replicate those exact vibes for your wedding. Although the show was filmed across 70 sets and studios, the exterior of Cantacuzino Castle of Bușteni, Romania served as the fictional Nevermore Academy.

Although the inside of the castle wasn't used for filming, you can use it for your wedding. Located in the Carpathian Mountains, Cantacuzino Castle offers a totally unique backdrop for you and your fiancé to get married. During the summer months, this filming location has the ability to host up to 300 guests for an outdoor tented ceremony. For smaller gatherings, you may be inclined to reserve an outdoor terrace or a funky interior lounge.

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Game of Thrones Filming Location

Beautiful outdoor area where scenes in Game of Thrones were filmed.
Property: Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images,Photo: HBO

The very first episode of HBO's Game of Thrones opens with Ned Stark and his children discovering baby direwolves in a forest—Tollymore Forest Park, to be exact. We're happy to report that you can get married in this exact Game of Thrones filming location. Much of the series was shot across Northern Ireland, and many of those locations are open and free to the public.

GoT superfans envisioning a woodsy elopement may love the idea of swapping vows in Tollymore Forest. With lush rolling hills and towering trees, it creates a moody and mythical atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the world. The park is open all year, and special events can be reserved directly with the recreation management team.

Harry Potter Filming Location

Photo of the exterior of the castle used as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter series.
Property: DeAgostini / Getty Images,Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures

Perhaps your invite to Hogwarts got lost in the mail. Don't sweat it—that won't be the case when you invite your friends and family to Hogwarts for your big day. It's true: Alnwick Castle, the English estate that inspired Hogwarts and served as a filming location for various Harry Potter movies, is available to host weddings.

Located in Northumberland, England, Alnwick's Garden Pavillion is the perfect place for Potterheads to get hitched. Leafy tunnels, bubbling fountains and vast lawns make up the wedding grounds at this film set that'll make your big day feel truly magical.

Bride Wars Filming Location

Exterior of the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Property: Alan Schein / Getty Images,Photo: 20th Century Studios

It doesn't get more quintessential New York than a wedding at The Plaza Hotel. You might recall this is where frenemies Liv (Kate Hudson) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) literally fought to have their respective wedding days in the rom-com Bride Wars. But, can you blame them? This staple NYC landmark has been the location of lavish events and weddings for decades, and it could host yours next.

Located at the bottom of Central Park in Midtown Manhattan, The Plaza Hotel is brimming with neo-Classical and contemporary flair. Thanks to cavernous ceilings, ornate architecture, and classic New York charm, this iconic hotel's prestigious ballrooms make for incredible places to host your big day. Just make sure you secure your date early enough.

Blank Space Music Video Filming Location

Beautiful mansion where Taylor Swift filmed her iconic "Blank Space" music video.
Property; @ohekacastle / Instagram,Photo: Taylor Swift VEVO / YouTube

We've got a long list of amazing filming locations that double as wedding venues, but this one is particularly apropos if you love Taylor Swift. The singer filmed her iconic "Blank Space" music video at Oheka Castle on Long Island, and it's available to reserve for your big day. (Golf clubs and sports cars not included.)

As mentioned above, Oheka Castle also served as inspiration for the design of Jay Gatsby's mansion in the 2013 film, and it's not hard to see why. The Huntington, New York estate exudes sophistication and grandeur thanks to its sprawling gardens, impeccable landscaping, and majestic architecture. It's no surprise, then, that Oheka Castle weddings are the epitome of elegance and grace. With access to multiple exquisite event rooms, award-winning fine dining and white glove service, you'll feel like royalty at this famous wedding venue.

The Bachelor Filming Location

Sleek and stylish living area in a luxury property.
Property: Airbnb,Photo: Craig Sjodin / Getty Images

Can we steal you for a sec? One of The Bachelor's filming locations is available to rent for weddings. While it's not the renowned California mansion you probably associate with the hit reality series, this filming location is one of the more picturesque settings from an international date. In 2022, Bachelor Clayton Echard and his final three contestants were whisked away to a luxury villa in Kjósarhreppur, Iceland, just outside of Reykjavik, which is available to book through Airbnb.

The five-bedroom luxury villa hosts 10 guests and allows events, making it perfect for couples planning an intimate elopement. Tucked in the Icelandic mountains, this bucolic family farm boasts sweeping views of vast hills, quaint countryside and access to hiking trails, caves, waterfalls, and so much more. Needless to say, this famous filming location certainly gets our final rose.

Lord of the Rings Filming Location

Beautiful countryside featuring a small home on a hillside.
Property: @HobbitonTours / Instagram

Exchange One Rings at Hobbiton, the real-life filming location of The Lord of the Rings. This New Zealand wedding venue is a playground brimming with fantasy and magic for fans of LOTR and The Hobbit. Not only is it built with key features of the films, including Hobbit Holes, gardens, and the Party Tree, Hobbiton has themed ceremony and venue spaces to make you and your guests feel like you've actually stepped into Middle-earth.

Downton Abbey Filming Location

Exterior of a beautiful and impressive castle on a sunny day.
Property: NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP / Getty Images,Photo: @downtonabbey_official

You'll feel like a member of the Crawley family when you swap vows at Highclere Castle, the elegant setting of UK drama Downton Abbey. This storied estate has served as the backdrop for the beloved series' six-season run on TV, as well as its subsequent film adaptations. The first records of Highclere Castle can actually be traced back to 749, though it was transformed into the recognizable house it is today by Sir Charles Barry in 1842.

The 300-room castle is available for tours, which Downton fans will love. But for superfans looking to get married in style, this filming location can also be reserved for intimate weddings. You'll have the chance to get ready in the castle's south-facing rooms before taking photos on the grand Oak Staircase and officially marrying in the Saloon. Following the ceremony, you and up to 30 guests will enjoy first-class dining fit for aristocrats.

James Bond Filming Location

Snapshot of the "Casino Royale" filming location.
Property: @villadelbalbianello / Instagram,Photo: Sony Pictures

What could be more glamorous than a James Bond-inspired wedding? The extensive franchise, which centers around the titular fictional British secret agent, has produced 27 films, many of which take place in castles, mansions and estates around the world. One of our favorite James Bond filming locations, though, is Villa del Balbianello, a breathtaking private property overlooking the south shore of Lake Como, Italy.

In addition to serving as a filming location for Casino Royale, this villa can also be seen in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. Today, you can rent this glitzy home (which sits atop a former French monastery) for your big day. Known for its elaborate gardens and towering greenery-covered arched stone structures that give way to postcard-worthy views of the lake, Villa del Balbianello is the ultimate destination wedding location for a romantic soirée.

Jurassic Park Filming Location

Stunning nature reserve with a tropical and rugged atmosphere.
Property: @kualoaranch / Instagram,Photo: Universal / Getty Images

You're probably quite familiar with Kualoa Ranch, because this private nature reserve has been the backdrop for a handful of famous movies and TV shows, including 50 First Dates, Lost, Amazing Race, Godzilla, and, perhaps most notably, Jurassic Park. In fact, Kualoa Ranch has become such a popular filming location that it's been dubbed the "backlot of Hawaii."

When it isn't reserved for filming, Kualoa Ranch can also be the site of your special day. The 4,000-acre venue in Oahu, Hawaii, has plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to host your loved ones, all of which offer unparalleled ocean views.

Gossip Girl Filming Location

Stylish New York City wedding venue.
Property: @TheFoundryLIC / Instagram,Photo: Arnaldo Magnani / Getty Images

Gossip Girl here. Want to swap vows at one of the hottest spots frequented by Manhattan's elite? You and your spouse can be spotted getting hitched at The Foundry, a swanky venue in Long Island City that served as the backdrop for Gossip Girl's "Kiss on the Lips" party from the series' pilot episode.

Covered with sprawling greenery, this famous filming location is rich in history. It was built in the 19th century to manufacture fine steel varnishes and remained operational until 1906. After being purchased and restored in 1980, it officially opened as a wedding venue in 2001. With cool features like exposed brick, tall windows, ivy walls, and indoor and outdoor spaces, The Foundry is undoubtedly one of the best industrial wedding venues in New York.

Bridesmaids Filming Location

Beautiful garden illuminated by warm sunlight.
Property: @LAArboretum / Instagram,Photo: Universal Pictures

Who's ready to partayyyy? The 2011 flick Bridesmaids starring Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Melissa McCarthy, among other comedic powerhouses, has become a classic wedding rom-com. While you probably don't want to replicate too many elements of this hilarious film, you might be interested in stealing the filming location for Lillian's wedding. The nuptials finally occur at The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in California. Although the venue doesn't have Wilson Phillips on call for reception performances, you can host your vow exchange in front of the garden's tropical waterfall or amid lush floral patches.

Falling for Christmas Filming Location

Luxury ski village covered in a blanket of snow.
Property: @goldenerhirschauberge / Instagram,Photo: @Netflix / Instagram

Who says a destination wedding has to be on a beach? Snow bunnies may be on the lookout for famous filming locations nestled somewhere cold. If that sounds like you, allow us to present Goldener Hirsch, a luxury hotel in Utah's Deer Valley Silver Lake Village. This luxe ski resort property was one of the filming locations for Lindsay Lohan's 2022 Netflix movie Falling for Christmas. (And yes, the rooftop hot tub is real!)

Invite your guests to this cozy retreat to hit the slopes, enjoy bespoke dining experiences, and soak up all the après ski fun as you and your fiancé tie the knot in front of unbeatable mountain views.

Universal Studios

Photo of the exterior of Universal Studios.
Gustavo Caballero / Getty Images

If you've got a soft spot in your heart for Universal Studios movies, why not get married at the actual theme park? The Orlando, Florida resort may be known for its roller coasters and movie set recreations, but four of the park's unique hotels also offer wedding and special event packages. From an Italian-inspired elopement to a rock-and-roll party, Universal Studios' wedding packages are ideal for movie and TV buffs in search of a venue to remember.

Disney World

A snapshot of Disney Castle on a sunny day.
AaronP/Bauer-Griffin / GC Images

For some, there may be no greater fairytale than getting married at Disney World. The beloved theme park has been a filming location for countless movies and TV shows over the years, but its greatest role may very well be the backdrop of your wedding day. Thanks to the team at Disney's Fairytale Weddings & Honeymoons, you can book customizable wedding packages in Florida, California, Hawaii, and on the Disney Cruise Line. They say a dream is a wish your heart makes, and this is one dream that can easily become a reality.

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