10 Hotspots for Destination Weddings in the US

When you consider your options for a destination wedding, don’t just think about the obvious: resorts in the Caribbean, castles in Europe, etc., etc. You can stay stateside (and your guests might thank you for doing so, as it makes attending your wedding cheaper and more convenient) and still have a magical, amazing destination wedding, maybe even just a few hours from your home.

But when you pull out a map of the big US of A, where do you even start? When the whole country is open to you, how do you narrow down your options?

We’re here to help with 10 study-backed hotspots for destination weddings in the US.

What Makes a Good Destination for a US Destination Wedding?

In early 2025, the money-saving and finance-planning pros at WalletHub noticed something: Weddings are getting majorly expensive. If you’ve been busy budgeting and planning for your wedding, and saving up for your big day, then this is no secret to you.

So WalletHub conducted a study to see where it was best for couples to save money with a US destination wedding, as compared to holding a big, splashy international destination wedding.

WalletHub looked at a few key factors and analyzed nearly 200 cities, considering:

• Average wedding cost
• Prices of hotel rooms for guests
• Availability of wedding venues
• Availability of wedding vendors
• Weather
• Amount of things to do in the destination
• Popularity of travel to the destination

And looking at the study’s results, it’s easy to see why certain destinations came out on top. Without further ado, here are the study-backed, top 10 hotspots for destination weddings in the US, and the perfect places to consider as you begin planning your big day.

1. Orlando, Florida

Yes, you could do a Disney destination wedding if you were to have your wedding in Orlando, but there are more reasons to hold a wedding here beyond just the fact that this area is home to the Magic Kingdom.

There’s plenty more to do in the area aside from theme parks, including natural attractions, golf, shopping and dining (yes, Orlando does actually have a pretty good food scene!). There’s an abundance of wedding vendors and venues here, too, and loads of accommodation options for your guests. Plus, thanks to the theme parks, there are plenty of flight options from every corner of the country, and flights are relatively affordable, most of the year.

• Top photo spots: Leu Gardens, Lake Eola, Dickson Azalea Park, Kissimmee Lakefront Park
• Best months for wedding weather: March–May or September–October

2. Las Vegas, Nevada

Do you even need to ask why it’s a good idea to have a Vegas wedding? No longer is Sin City limited to couples fleeing for a quick elopement. Today, the city’s many luxury resorts serve up fantastic high-end weddings that even celebrities love.

You can choose between a low-key wedding at a cute, small chapel, or go all out with a big, blow-out event. Whatever you choose, plenty of wedding coordinators and other vendors are on deck to make it all go down.

Plus, you may just find that the cost for the wedding is lower than you think, and the cost of getting to and from the city is pretty cheap as well.

• Top photo spots: Welcome to Las Vegas sign, Bellagio Fountains, Venetian Resort, Fremont Street
• Best months for wedding weather: September–May

3. Miami, Florida

Miami offers a mix of all sorts of weddings. You could marry at one of the many luxury resorts. You could do a micro wedding at a fun or upscale, intimate restaurant. You could do a beach wedding. You could do an urban wedding, outdoors, taking advantage of Miami’s gorgeous architecture.

In other words, you have options. Plus, Miami is usually affordable to get to, and, once there, your guests will be able to find reasonably priced hotels, eats, and activities.

• Top photo spots: The Ancient Spanish Monastery, Miami Beach Botanical Garden, Vizcaya Museum & Garden
• Best months for wedding weather: November–April

4. Atlanta, Georgia

In Atlanta, Georgia, you’ll find Southern charm galore. The city and its surroundings are filled with history and culture. Your venue options are plentiful, whether you want to get married in a traditional hotel setting, or in a park, historic setting, or elsewhere. The destination likewise scored well in WalletHub’s study in terms of number of vendors.

• Top photo spots: Piedmont Park, Centennial Olympic Park, Historic Old Fourth Ward Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Swan House Historic Center
• Best months for wedding weather: September–May

5. Tampa, Florida

Much like Miami, Tampa is a good choice for couples who are considering a beach wedding, but that doesn’t mean that’s your only option. You can hold an urban wedding downtown or you can go outside of the city for a park-set, nature-heavy wedding. In addition to diverse venue options, you also have a range of diverse vendor options as well, and you’ll particularly appreciate the city’s foodie scene when it comes to picking a caterer and restaurant for your rehearsal dinner.

• Top photo spots: Fort Desoto Park, Philippe Park, The Sunken Gardens, the University of Tampa campus
• Best months for wedding weather: September–May

6. Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas, is a good home base if you’re dreaming of a rustic farm or vineyard-set wedding, as it’s within easy reach of Texas Hill Country. Wedding parties will find plenty to do amid the city’s lively nightlife scene, with loads of entertainment and food to be had. Austin will also be easy for your guests to get to, as it’s well connected via its international airport.

• Top photo spots: Lady Bird Lake, the Texas State Capitol, Zilker Botanical Garden
• Best months for wedding weather: November–April

7. San Francisco, California

It’s obvious that San Francisco is the perfect locale to show off your wedding pride, but every couple can find a good reason to get hitched here.

You have abundant venue options. Your guests will have no trouble finding hotels and things to do. The food scene is diverse, which means your options for caterers and a rehearsal dinner spot are, too. Additionally, thanks to various city efforts, it’s no problem finding sustainably minded and eco-friendly vendors, if that’s of importance to you.

• Top photo spots: Golden Gate Park, Sutro Baths, Palace of Fine Arts, Baker Beach
• Best months for wedding weather: September–October

8. Houston, Texas

Houston is becoming a popular destination wedding spot for a few key reasons. While the summer can be sticky, the weather here is overall usually pretty good. Your venue options are plentiful, regardless of your wedding theme or style, from the unique and lovably weird to the more traditional and tame. It’ll be pretty easy for your guests to get to Houston, too, thanks to the international airport.

• Top photo spots: Rice University campus, Hermann Park, Sam Houston Park
• Best months for wedding weather: September–May

9. New Orleans, Louisiana

For amazing live music, great food, historic and charming venues, affordable travel, and convenient travel, look no further than New Orleans. This is the place to have a true, once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Whether you envision yourself and your wedding party making your way down Bourbon Street to fanfare or you’re imagining a dramatic and elegant Southern affair in one of the city’s historic homes, you can make your wedding dreams come true in the Crescent City.

• Top photo spots: The French Quarter, City Park, Audubon Park, Jackson Square
• Best months for wedding weather: November–April

10. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Finally, Fort Lauderdale offers plenty of options for a beach wedding, but if you want a cityside event, you have charming options there, too. (Did you know that Fort Lauderdale is sometimes called the “Venice of America”?)

You’ll also find plenty of things to do, places for your guests to stay, and vendors to ensure your big day goes off without a hitch. Plus, with so many cruise ships leaving out of Fort Lauderdale on a regular basis, it’s a great spot to host a wedding if you and your sweetie are headed out on a Caribbean cruise for your honeymoon.

• Top photo spots: Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, Las Olas Boulevard, Flamingo Gardens
• Best months for wedding weather: December–April

Wherever You End Up Holding Your Wedding, Make Sure It’s Protected

Wherever you book a destination wedding, you’ll likely need wedding insurance.

Sometimes required by wedding venues, wedding insurance can protect your investment in the event of property damage or guest injury at the wedding, as well as in the event your wedding is canceled.

Learn more and get your wedding insurance quote now.

Destination Wedding FAQs

How do you pick the right destination wedding location?

Think about several factors, including your overall wedding vibe and theme, and how well it fits the destination. Also consider budget, weather, and how easy it will be for your guests to get there.

Are destination weddings cheaper?

They can be! It all depends on many of the same factors that influence wedding cost at home, such as the number of guests attending.

Do you need a wedding planner for a destination wedding?

Hiring an onsite wedding planner for a destination wedding can be helpful, especially if you’ve never been to the area before. They can be your eyes and ears on the ground, so all you have to do is show up ahead of your big day.

How many guests do you invite to a destination wedding?

Your guest list will typically be shorter for a destination wedding, limited to the closest friends and family. Many destination weddings are actually considered micro weddings.

How can you make a destination wedding cheaper?

Choose a less popular destination, plan your wedding for that destination’s off season, and narrow down your guest list as much as possible.

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