3 More Excellent Destination Wedding Spots
Years ago we wrote an article showcasing three of the best destination wedding spots in the world – and in fact, in the United States. Those places still stand as excellent ideas, with the Central Park Boathouse in New York, New York making for a particularly magical place to get married. Every now and then it’s nice to point to a few new places for destination weddings though, which is why we’re back with three more selections.
Thornewood Castle in Lakewood, Washington
If you’ve ever envisioned a big wedding at a beautiful, secluded country house, the Thornewood Castle in Lakewood, Washington is about as nice a venue as you could pick. The term “castle” is perhaps a little bit misleading, but this is certainly a grand mansion, built from reclaimed English brick and erected in the early 20th century.
The castle currently serves as a bed and breakfast that can also be rented out for events (like, potentially, your wedding!), but it actually has an interesting history as a Hollywood location. Thornewood Castle has been used in various films including Oscar winner There Will Be Blood among others. That gives you at least some idea of the unique quality and beauty of the setting and construction.
A wedding at this mansion can be an absolute dream come true. There are three buildings total in the complex, with the castle being the main one. There are also gorgeous English gardens throughout the estate, making for wonderful photography opportunities. Ceremonies can be held in the castle or out in the gardens, and the reception can take place either in a gorgeous ballroom or on a lawn overlooking American Lake.
Hard Rock Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
This is our only destination that isn’t in the U.S., but it’s not too far. Punta Cana has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Caribbean, thanks to its combination of lovely beaches and high-end resorts. It’s actually quite convenient – just a short flight from the Southeast United States and very close to the Dominican Republic’s international airport.
The Hard Rock Hotel is an all-inclusive resort that allows you to be fully confident all your guests are having fun and soaking up luxury. The hotel has actually been written about as one of the best casino resorts in the world for destination weddings, and indeed its casino is the second-largest in the Caribbean. Whether or not this is something you personally have interest in, it’s one more thing your guests might enjoy before or after the wedding.
As for the resort and what it’s like to hold a wedding there, just imagine the very picture of Caribbean beauty! You can choose to get married out on the beach with the sea behind you, or on one of the resort’s unique “floating wedding gazebos.” The reception can essentially take over a chunk of the property, with poolside and beachside tables alike.
Dillingham Ranch in Oahu, Hawaii
Choosing a wedding venue in Hawaii is just about impossible. This cluster of islands is known the world over for beautiful beaches and exquisite resorts, and in fact is one of the most popular places for destination weddings (as is the Dominican Republic, for that matter). But if we had to choose just one venue, we’d have to go with Dillingham Ranch on the island of Oahu.
The ranch is a sprawling oceanfront property that essentially includes all the best elements of Hawaii: excellent beaches, a protected forest, comfortable accommodations, and a mountainous backdrop. Renting out the ranch allows you to feel almost like you have a whole little Hawaiian island to yourself, which can be everything you want in a fairytale wedding.
The options for wedding locations on the grounds are varied and spectacular. You can choose to get married on a lawn, in a massive great room, by the beach, etc., and the reception can follow on-site. Asking your wedding crowd to go all the way to Hawaii (which is far from pretty much everywhere) is a lot – but they won’t mind spending a few days in a place like this.