15 Gothic Wedding Venues Around the US
Whether you have a vision of a grand castle wedding or an alternative wedding with a Halloween vibe, Gothic wedding venues are perfect for getting the imagination going. Something all of these venues have in common is drama: From stone facades that seem to stretch to the sky to show-stopping chandeliers and history galore, Gothic venues are the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable special day. And while the emphasis here is on the architecture, that doesn't necessarily mean an indoor wedding. Many Gothic wedding venues are situated on vast acreage with unique and stunning outdoor spaces, so you can really get creative with these event spaces.
From Tudor and Victorian houses to stone cathedrals and castles, we rounded up our favorite Gothic wedding venues across the country. And if you're looking for even more options, visit The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find your dream venue.
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, California
Located on the most iconic hilltop in San Francisco, Grace Cathedral is a true showstopper. The stone cathedral is unmissable and directly across from several luxury hotels where your wedding guests can stay (and where you might host your reception). From the grand staircase at the cathedral's entrance, guests will walk into The Nave, which boasts 90-foot ceilings, sweeping archways and 26 stained-glass windows. The cathedral can accommodate up to 1,000 guests so is perfect for large ceremonies. If you're hoping for something more intimate, just inside the entrance to the cathedral is the Labyrinth, which features a limestone Chartres labyrinth on the floor, which guests sit around. Acoustics throughout the cathedral are fantastic, which works well for the organ which features over 7,300 pipes.
Historic Minneapolis City Hall in Minneapolis, Minnesota
While Gothic pretty much always means "grand," it doesn't have to mean expensive. The Historic Minneapolis City Hall is the perfect combination of jaw-dropping venue that won't break the bank. Located in downtown Minneapolis and conveniently located close to hotels, parking and public transit, City Hall showcases a 345-foot clock tower, 37 stained glass windows and stunning Italian marble. City Hall works exclusively with Atlas Grill for food and beverage and the venue can accommodate up to 300 guests.
Scarritt Bennett Center - Wightman Chapel in Nashville, Tennesee
This award-winning venue is a favorite spot to wed in Music City. In particular, the Gothic Wightman Chapel is full of history—The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached here—and has incredible acoustics for music lovers. Smaller venues, such as the Skinner Chapel and Labrynth Garden, are also available. Receptions may also be held on site, but note that this is an alcohol-free venue.
The Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas
In the heart of downtown Austin lies The Driskill Hotel, a historic landmark described as "Texas Gothic". The venue has multiple locations for weddings small and large, and the grand Mezzanine can accommodate more than 300 guests. The dramatic interior of The Driskill means you can save on flowers and decorations (or go all out and make it your own). While The Driskill is a stunning venue with all that Austin has to offer right on its doorstep, it's also supposedly haunted. Built by a Civil War colonel and cattle baron in the 1800s, Jesse Driskill apparently still likes interacting with the many guests and celebrities that stay at the hotel.
Fonthill Castle & Mercer Museum Castle in Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Fonthill Castle & Mercer Museum Castle is a fairytale venue with a towering fortress sitting in a lush forest. Built in the early 20th century, the design of this elaborate estate was inspired by Medieval, Gothic and Byzantine architecture. The seven-level castle is a blend of these styles and sits on a vast lawn where couples can also choose to erect a clear-top event tent. The castle can host up to 250 guests and you can choose to host your wedding ceremony and reception indoors and/or outdoors.
Lyndhurst Castle in Tarrytown, New York
Nestled on 67 acres of the widest part of the Hudson River lies Lyndhurst Castle, an estate conceived and constructed over a century ago. There are multiple individual venues on the grounds of Lyndhurst, which couples can conjoin for large parties of up to 300 guests or enjoy separately for more intimate gatherings. With a Hudson River view, a grand, Gothic-style castle and lush grounds, there's something for every couple to fall in love with at Lyndhurst Castle.
Castle Hotel & Spa in Tarrytown, New York
A short drive from New York City, you'll feel a world away at this Gothic wedding venue in Tarrytown. Overlooking the Hudson River, the Castle Hotel & Spa feels majestic and luxurious, but also cozy and comfortable. There's 3,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space, so you can host your ceremony on the gorgeous lawn, followed by a reception inside the hotel,featuring vaulted ceilings and lots of natural light. Plus, your guests can stay on premises—you can even buy out the entire hotel for your wedding weekend.
Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York
From the moment they drive up to Oheka Castle, your guests will know they're in for something special. The ornate landscaping, high arches and sprawling castle come together to create a majestic setting for your wedding day. Couples can choose between an indoor or outdoor ceremony, and move to a reception either in the grand ballroom or outside under an event tent. This venue is on the pricier end, but couples who have gotten married here say that you get what you pay for. The venue can accommodate over 300 guests, so if you're looking for a larger-than-life fairytale day, look no further than Oheka Castle.
Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Hawaii
Iolani Palace sits on 12 acres of land and offers several distinct spaces you can choose from for your big day. Conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Honolulu and 15 minutes from Waikiki hotels, your guests will never forget a destination wedding at the history-rich Iolani Palace. The venue is truly unique in that it looks European in design and architecture, but it's situated on a tropical island.
The Sterling Castle in Shelby, Alabama
With a promise of Old-World romance, The Sterling Castle is a beautiful venue that can accommodate just you and your partner or up to 250 of your closest friends and family. The venue offers indoor (fireplace or entryway) and outdoor (drawbridge or lakeside) options that you can mix and match to create the ceremony and reception of your dreams. The Sterling Castle takes care of everything for you so you can save money on a wedding planner and don't have to deal with dozens of vendors. The venue also offers a discount for celebrations held on any day but Saturday.
Park Chateau in East Brunswick, New Jersey
Nestled midway between Manhattan and Philadelphia on 15 acres of lush land and beautiful gardens is Park Chateau Estate and Gardens. With so much optionality between the chateau and gardens, couples can really tailor Park Chateau to fit the vision of their dream day. Weather permitting, the gardens are stunning for an outdoor ceremony, but there is also a beautiful indoor option with the chapel. The ballroom boasts high ceilings, ornate chandeliers and a large dance floor where you and your guests can celebrate the night away.
Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester, Massachusetts
The Hammond Castle Museum is a fully functioning museum that doubles as a stunning Gothic wedding venue overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The museum is perfect for those with an appreciation of medieval architecture and renaissance art, as its original owner was an avid art connoisseur whose collections are on display today. Choose to say "I do" in the expanse of the museum's Great Hall or outdoors with sweeping views of Gloucester Harbor. The venue can accommodate up to 150 guests, or opt for a more intimate wedding with a maximum of 10 guests.
Belvedere Castle in New York, New York
A Gothic wedding venue in the heart of New York City? Enter: Belvedere Castle. Designed in the late 19th-century by one of Central Park's co-designers, the castle is one of the park's five visitor centers. With one of the best views in Manhattan, the structure looks out on the reservoir to the north and the Ramble to the south. For all the venue has to offer, if you're hoping for privacy, you may want to look elsewhere. Tourists may wander through the background of your ceremony and/or photos, so you may want to prepare for a larger audience than you asked for.
Pythian Castle in Springfield, Missouri
If the reason you're looking at Gothic venues is because a themed wedding or something spooky strikes your fancy, then you'll definitely want to check out Pythian Castle. The owner of the venue claims it's filled with friendly ghosts who make temperature changes and shut doors, causing it to be considered one of the most haunted spots in the Ozarks. Ghosts aside, the venue is one of the more affordable castle venues you can hope to find (a midweek elopement starts at under $300 and a Saturday wedding is still under a thousand dollars).