13 Gorgeous Hotel Wedding Venues Around the World

For outdoorsy couples looking for an authentic eco-lodge experience on their wedding day, Selva Negra is the real deal. This family-run organic farm and coffee estate in Nicaragua has accommodations ranging from hostel rooms to private bungalows, as well as a lush, cool mountain setting that’s rich with wildlife (expect howler monkeys, lizards, agoutis, and all types of birds). Couples can get married at the on-site chapel — which the owners built for their own daughter’s wedding — beneath Selva Negra’s cloud forest.

For the Gatsby Affair: Oheka Castle in Long Island

Oheka Castle, built in the 1920s as the second largest private residence in the U.S., is a magnificent chateau-style property about an hour from New York City. It’s the country’s top wedding venue, and one of the most striking properties on the East Coast. It features 32 individually decorated rooms and stately common spaces, and is surrounded by 23 acres of gorgeous, manicured gardens. Oheka Castle is a consistently popular wedding venue among the rich and famous — and for good reason. Its stunning ballrooms, gorgeous gardens, luxurious rooms, and great service are all top-notch. The bride and groom each have their own attendants and a dressing room; the Bridal Suite features a large living room and palatial bathroom with a claw-foot tub.

For the Adventurous Couple: &Beyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp in Botswana

This ultra-remote, luxurious safari lodge on an island in Botswana’s Okavango Delta isn’t a hotel, it’s an experience, where everything — including the excellent food and the guided excursions (game drives, bush walks, river cruises) — is included in the price of the stay. Couples can get up close to exotic wildlife on both land and water (think: lions and hippos), and then relax in the camp’s high-end safari “tents” — this is glamping at its finest. Weddings at &Beyond destinations are planned meticulously, featuring amazing meals and spectacular vistas that are sure to make your wedding photos the envy of all your friends back home.

For Italian Royalty: Grand Hotel Baglioni in Florence

Housed in the former residences of the Bertolini princes, the Grand Hotel Baglioni lives up to the grand image painted by Florence’s past. The hotel is filled with heavy-handed regal touches and ornate decor from top to bottom. The 193 rooms are very spacious and feel luxurious, decked out with classic Italian furnishings. Both the rooftop garden and Terrazza Brunelleschi restaurant offer stunning views of Florence, making them popular wedding locales. You are guaranteed to feel like royalty by the end of the day.

For the Southern Belle: The Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina

It’s not an overstatement to say that the Inn at Palmetto Bluff is one of the most special properties in the entire country. This sprawling estate provides a one-of-a-kind experience that uniquely blends southern history and almost otherworldly natural beauty: rivers, misty marshes, old oaks draped with wispy Spanish moss, and salty breezes. The main hotel building looks like a classic southern mansion, and the 50 Cottages and Cottage Suites are simultaneously homey and utterly luxurious. Weddings have a similar vibe, often held at the lovely waterside chapel overlooking the May River. You can have your reception outside under the oaks, or in one of the hotel’s elegant ballrooms or oversized verandas.

For the Cowboys: Tanque Verde Ranch in Tuscon

This rustic, all-inclusive resort is a quintessential Western dude ranch surrounded by miles of gorgeous mountains and desert. The property borders Saguaro National Park East, where couples can enjoy guided horseback rides, hiking, and mountain biking. There’s also swimming, communal ranch meals, and kids’ activities to keep all of your guests busy. The desert landscape provides a gorgeous backdrop for weddings, which can be formal affairs held in the resort’s lovely ballrooms or casual nuptials exchanged outdoors surrounded by bonfires.

For the Beach Bums: Turtle Bay in Oahu

Turtle Bay is the only resort on Oahu‘s scenic, isolated North Shore with an unbeatable array of amenities — two 18-hole golf courses, a stable, helicopter rides — plus five miles of shoreline and great restaurants. The natural beauty here is amazing, as is the culture: surfing reigns supreme in this laid-back part of Oahu, with Banzai Pipeline just minutes down the road for catching some serious waves. Weddings are held at the pavilion chapel overlooking the water, on one of the resort’s outdoor lawns, on a private beach near the horse stables, or — the most private location — on the beach at the 18th green of the golf course.

For a Turkish Delight: Ciragan Palace Kempinski

Formerly the palace of an Ottoman Sultan, the Ciragan Palace Kempinski is the grand dame of Istanbul. It wows guests at every turn, from the sprawling, manicured grounds, to the heated infinity pool right on the Bosphorus, to the refined suites. The dining options are extensive and exceptional; the spa is lovely; and the meeting space housed in the original palace building makes an ornate setting for a wedding. The hotel takes these affairs very seriously, organizing lavish celebrations that promise the bride and groom “the moon, the stars” and everything else to make their big day special.

For the Mountain Man & Wife: Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole

Set in a wildlife refuge more than 700 feet above the Jackson Valley, Spring Creek Ranch has arguably the most stunning views of the Tetons in Jackson Hole. It has a wide array of room categories, from standard hotel rooms to immense two-bedroom condos, but the quality and design of each unit varies greatly — make sure to reserve an ultra-luxurious condo for the big day. And this haven for outdoor enthusiasts makes for an absolutely gorgeous wedding location. Couples can arrive to the ceremony after a traditional sleigh ride in the winter, host their reception on top of the nearby mountains, or toast their nuptials by the bonfire.

For the Hollywood Starlets: Shutters on the Beach in Los Angeles

A known celebrity hangout, Shutters on the Beach has an atmosphere of formal opulence, with expensive artwork in its lobby and restaurants, luxe features, and rooms that belong in a billionaire’s beach house. Its oceanfront location and doting service are hard to beat — though Casa Del Mar offers a similar setting. For a wedding, Shutters is perfect for a bride with Hollywood starlet aspirations: the celeb hotspot offers plenty of in-the-biz glitz while still offering a relaxed, beachside locale. Getting hitched on the balcony overlooking the water is one of the most scenic spots in Los Angeles to wed.

For the Zen Couple: Ventana Inn & Spa in Big Sur

Situated on more than 200 acres of picturesque land, the Ventana Inn & Spa looks like a rustic cabin nestled in the woods — yet it features 62 luxurious, streamlined rooms with wooden accents and refreshing pops of color. Not a place for families, the overall goal of the hotel is to create a zen, holistic retreat with such offerings as yoga classes, discovery walks, afternoon wine and cheese, Japanese baths, and two pools (one of which is clothing optional). The picturesque cliffside spot has seen its fair share of celebrity couples, including Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied’s nuptials last year. On June 1, Napster and Facebook titan Sean Parker will host a purported $9 million, fantasy-themed wedding on the property — a good portion of that price tag is going towards constructing a castle on the grounds and outfitting guests in garb from Academy Award-winning costume designer Ngila Dickson.

For the Castle Fantasy: Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland

Ashford Castle embodies the fantasy of the Irish castle hotel, featuring a massive historic stone facade, complete with towers and turrets; gorgeous, manicured grounds; a stunning setting on a huge lake; and common spaces that are truly grand, with rich wood paneling, chandeliers, and antique furniture. The wide range of estate activities includes falconry lessons, boat tours on the lake, golf on the 9-hole course, clay shooting, and archery. Weddings are decadent and utterly unique, hosted throughout the grounds for a truly royal affair.

For the Ultimate Indulgence: Jade Mountain Resort in St. Lucia

Romantic? Undoubtedly. Unique? Absolutely. Expensive? For sure. Through an innovative, open fourth wall, each of Jade Mountain‘s 29 enormous suites overlooks the sea from its chromatherapy-lit whirlpool tub, canopied bed, and private infinity pool. Getting to Jade Mountain can be tedious, even nauseating, but its organic cuisine, doting service, unwavering silence (no TVs, radios, or children), and extraordinary design make the long journey worthwhile. Weddings on the Celestial Terrace, pictured here, are unforgettable.

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