Originally Posted on PartyState.com >>
Hidden gem wedding venues make for a stunning event in a secluded locale that none of your guests may have seen before. Hosting your nuptials off the beaten path lets you create memories that are unique to your wedding with plenty of space for décor and room for activities.
We reached out to four expert wedding planners — with experience planning exquisite celebrations in remote locations — to get their advice and recommendations. Melissa Diaz and Deliece Knights-Barnett, Co-Founders of Dhalia Events, offer their expertise, saying, “Secluded venues are perfect for couples who want to hone in on adding personalization and exclusivity to their celebration. If done well, it is unlikely that any other couples would replicate your day in that exact location, which can make your big day even more special and unique.”
Tonya Hoopes, Lead Planner and Designer at Hoopes Events, says, “Hosting your wedding in a location such as an open field with a stunning mountain backdrop, a private beach, or a location where guests can have one-of-a-kind experiences is not only unique — it will also be an unforgettable experience that your guests will talk about for years to come.”
No matter what scene is calling your name — a forest wedding, lake-front nuptials, riverside ambiance, or something in between — browse these 22 secluded wedding venues to find your perfect fit.
Forest Wedding Venues
Ranch Wedding Venues
River Wedding Venues
Private Estate Wedding Venues
*Venues listed in no particular order…
The natural elements of a forest wedding are what make this outdoor setting so magical. Say your vows in an enchanted forest with luscious greenery and mountainous views.
For a stunning mountainous backdrop…
Vail, CO
Grand Hyatt Vail provided a picturesque setting for this couple’s first look. With 360-degree views of Colorado mountains alongside Gore Creek, there is an abundance of natural elements to enjoy.
Grand Hyatt Vail can host up to 400 seated and 900 standing guests.
For fantasy forest nuptials…
New Lebanon, NY
Located in upstate New York, The Ruins at Sassafras is an oasis that offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city. With stunning gardens, waterfalls, and 86 acres of countryside, there are endless picture-perfect opportunities.
The Ruins at Sassafras can host up to 250 guests.
For a venue in the pines…
Sundance, UT
Hoopes Events planned this gorgeous wedding filled with greenery and subtle florals. Tucked away in Mount Timpanogos, Sundance Mountain Resort is a gem not to be missed.
Sundance Mountain Resort can host up to 220 guests.
For a renovated 100-year-old farmhouse…
Long Eddy, NY
Dhalia Events beautifully executed this charming barn wedding at Handsome Hollow. This rustic property is a woodland haven, perfect for your fairytale nuptials.
Handsome Hollow can host up to 150 guests.
Lake wedding venues offer picturesque views that make unbeatable backdrops for your wedding weekend festivities. Wed on the waterfront for a romantic and memorable celebration.
For a lakeside love story…
Greensboro, GA
This couple exchanged vows under a greenery-filled altar alongside sparkling Lake Oconee. The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds hosts timeless, outdoor weddings featuring their remarkable lakeside views.
Ritz-Carlton Reynolds can host up to 350 guests.
For a property that has it all…
Cold Spring, NY
There is no property quite like Glynwood Events. From the gardens and courtyard to the terrace and boathouse, this lakeside venue is a stunning site.
Glynwood Events can host up to 250 guests.
For picturesque lakeside views…
Lake Geneva, WI
Lake Geneva is a Midwestern gem with luscious greenery and breathtaking lakeside views. Grand Geneva Resort & Spa offers unique countryside scenery that makes it a secluded wedding venue rich in rustic elegance.
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa can host 1,000+ guests.
Host your wedding festivities at a ranch venue for a breathtaking landscape with an abundance of lush greenery. Take inspiration from our rustic wedding centerpieces guide to add some life to your tablescapes. Each of these hidden gem venues offers vast acreage for a large-scale celebration or seamless event flow.
For show-stopping greenery…
Guerneville, CA
Located in the wine country of Sonoma, Dawn Ranch is the perfect property for a garden gathering. This venue even has its very own apple orchard featuring an abundance of luscious greenery.
Dawn Ranch can host up to 500 seated and 2,000 standing guests.
For a rustic ranch reception…
Mineral Wells, TX
Rest Yourself River Ranch hosted this rustic-inspired reception on their 14-acre property, which rests on top of a striking cliff. From the timeless architecture to the awe-inspiring location, this venue is a Texas hidden gem.
Rest Yourself River Ranch can host up to 250 guests.
For Southern glamour…
Murfreesboro, TN
Fête Nashville Luxury Weddings planned this boho wedding with glamorous detailing in an off-the-beaten path location. Featuring 25 acres of land and an enchanting barn space, Saddle Woods Farm offers a one-of-kind experience just outside of Nashville.
Saddle Woods Farm can host up to 350 guests.
For an altar amidst the mountains…
Aspen, CO
T-Lazy-7 Ranch is a true treasure tucked within the Maroon Bells section of the Rocky Mountains. This Aspen ranch is sensational at every angle, with no shortage of mountainous backdrops.
T-Lazy-7 Ranch can host up to 500 seated and 1,000 standing guests.
For outdoor opulence…
Wimberley, TX
Collective Hill Country hosted this timeless wedding under their outdoor pergola. Surrounded by lush greenery, this Texas venue matches perfectly with a rustic and romantic wedding aesthetic.
Collective Hill Country can host up to 36 seated and 54 standing guests.
For 360-degree mountain views…
Carmel Valley, CA
Holman Ranch’s stunning 360-degree views of the Santa Lucia Mountains set the scene for this enchanting wedding. Jenni Grubba Events used the astonishing mountain views as a backdrop to these elegant nuptials.
Holman Ranch can host up to 150 guests.
Whether you are wishing for a wedding venue in the countryside or a hidden gem closer to home, you are bound to find a river venue that matches your aesthetic.
For a serene soirée…
Kennebunkport, ME
Kennebunkport Resort: Hidden Pond hosted this romantic outdoor wedding amid an abundance of greenery. This slice of heaven gives the perfect duality of a tranquil river ambiance while being just minutes away from the coast.
Kennebunkport Resort: Hidden Pond can host up to 200 guests.
For an eclectic and enchanting event…
Charleston, SC
Curated Events Charleston transformed Middleton Place into a whimsical wonderland for this outdoor ceremony. With 65 acres of riverfront property, this venue has all of the natural elements to create magical moments.
Middleton Place can host up to 250 seated and 400 standing guests.
For lasting love in a timeless location…
Lebanon, TN
The Cumberland River made for a beautiful backdrop at this classic ceremony. The Estate at Cherokee Dock boasts charming architecture in a magnificent setting, making it a lucky find.
The Estate at Cherokee Dock can host up to 300 seated and 500 standing guests.
For a private dance along the river…
Germantown, NY
These newlyweds took advantage of their tranquil oasis to enjoy a private dance along the riverside. With half-mile-long riverside grounds, A Private Estate Events offers breathtaking views and plenty of space to create your very own sanctuary.
A Private Estate Events can host up to 300 guests.
For an unforgettable wedding in a historical site…
Catskill, NY
This intimate wedding transformed Foreland Catskill’s industrial space with the use of dainty florals sprinkled throughout. With over two centuries of history and blissful riverfront views, this venue is a breath of fresh air in upstate New York.
Foreland Catskill can host up to 200 seated and 200 standing guests.
Celebrate your nuptials in an intimate setting at a private estate venue. Often rich in history, these estates make for a unique experience for your unique love.
Hoopes of Hoopes Events explains, “A secluded venue can make your wedding unique. If you ask many people about where the weddings they have attended were held, their answers will mostly range from hotel ballrooms to a local wedding venue, or maybe even a museum. While these locations are all wonderful, they are not entirely unique. Hosting a wedding in an on off-the-beaten-path location lends itself to a one-of-a-kind experience for the guests.”
For a backyard reception under the stars…
Bedford, NH
Bedford Village Inn hosted this summer wedding in their cozy backyard space. With room for both the ceremony and the reception, this New Hampshire hideaway is an intimate spot for your romantic day.
Bedford Village Inn can host up to 210 seated and 350 standing guests.
For a serene sunset…
Boulder, CO
Stunning sunset colors painted across the sky make for a fairytale-like reception. Greystone Castle treats guests to a true Colorado celebration with a mountainous backdrop in an off-the-beaten-path location.
Greystone Castle can host up to 350 guests.
For a private estate feel on a resort property…
Farmington, PA
Nemacolin is one of the most unique and sought after venues of its kind. GoBella Design & Planning planned this spectacular wedding with equal amounts of carefree energy and sophisticated charm.
Nemacolin can host up to 900 guests.
For a cozy space that will make you feel at home…
Honey Brook, PA
Owned and operated by the same family since 1985, this hidden gem wedding venue is overflowing with homemade charm. The Styled Bride planned this stylish, rustic celebration with an intimate indoor ceremony and tented reception.
Brandywine Manor House can host up to 300 guests.
Melissa Diaz and Deliece Knights-Barnett of Dhalia Events explain, “Secluded locations often result in a degree of intimacy not often experienced at standard banquet halls or venues. Apart from not having to share the day, space, or moments with others, couples and their loved ones are more likely to be truly present and engaged with the celebration.
“Some of these hidden gem wedding venues often have no ‘rules.’ This means that from design and flow to use of space, the event will be entirely in the hands of the couple and their wedding production team. Couples can let their ideas flow, no matter how small or grand, and work to execute them in the way that is most authentic to them.”
Tonya Hoopes of Hoopes Events says, “There are so many wonderful wedding venues and locales to choose from. If you are looking for a venue where your wedding will be completely private, a secluded location or off-the-beaten-path venue is a great idea. It allows you and your guests to feel as if you are the only people in the world. It also ensures you will be able to have photos without uninvited or unwelcome guests watching the ceremony or appearing in a photo.
“Often times, hosting your wedding at such a location allows you more flexibility. Most venues have curfews or rules (such as when the florist can set up) that you have to follow. But when you are in a secluded location where others will not be disturbed, you have more flexibility.”
Our expert planners put together a list of key points to remember when planning your remote destination nuptials. First and foremost, hire a wedding planner. “Have someone that will help you think through all the things that you will need to make your remote location a success and allow you to enjoy the time with your family and friends,” says Hoopes.
While secluded venues provide intimacy and romance, couples will need to plan carefully and thoughtfully in the following areas:
