When choosing your wedding venue, don’t confine yourself to the plain-Jane, been-there-done-that options. Whether you’re hosting a big bash with hundreds of your closest friends and family members or an intimate micro wedding, you can find an event space to host your wedding day that’s just as one-of-a-kind as you and your soon-to-be spouse.
What You Will Learn
Some of the Most Unique Wedding Venues in the World
So, forget the hotel ballrooms, the backyard weddings, or the rustic barnyards. Here are some of the most unique wedding venues in the world.
1. Treehouses
1. TreehousesIf your dream wedding is more of a low-key, small occasion, an intimate setting is key since overly large settings can make your party appear smaller than it is. For a charming setting that blends green space with woodsy touches, check out your nearest treehouse.
As treehouses have become more popular among homestays, you can find a variety of these spaces available for rent on platforms like Airbnb, with some open to hosting private events.
2. Tent or Yurt (or Any Glamping Accommodation)
We’re not suggesting you break out your old camping tent for this one or even opt for the white, vaulted tent you see at typical backyard weddings. Instead, look to glamping hosts that are open to hosting private events.
Some glamping providers, like Under Canvas, offer not just outdoor spaces for events but also a stunning backdrop, with outposts in some of the most iconic spots for natural beauty, such as Moab and Zion in the American Southwest.
The best part? When your micro wedding ceremony and reception are wrapped up, the accommodations for your party are right on-site.
3. Unique Museums
When thinking of unique wedding venue ideas, you may come across the option of having your big day in a museum. However, for a truly unique space, don’t just go with your average art or history museum or a cultural museum set in a dusty old house or building.
Choose something super unusual and full of personality. For example, the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis is an outdoor venue set in the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill. In Philadelphia, The Mutter Museum is dedicated to medical oddities. In Cincinnati, the American Sign Museum is devoted to all things signage, with plenty of neon to light up the space.
4. Bank Vaults
Assure your love is — ahem — extra secure by hosting your ceremony or wedding reception in a space that includes a bank vault. You can find a handful of such unique wedding locations around the country, including The Treasury on the Plaza in St. Augustine, Florida, and 8th & Maine in Missouri.
5. Historic Ruins
Somewhat along the lines of the flour mill ruins museum mentioned above, consider all the other historic ruins that now host wedding ceremonies. You can find these creative venues for weddings all across the globe, perfect for a destination event that’s so much more than a resort-set affair.
Maybe you have the budget to book a ruined church in Guatemala or French chateau ruins for your big day. But if not, look to stateside options like The Ruins at Kellum Valley in Georgia or The Ruins at The Astor in Oregon.
Things to Consider Before Booking One of These Most Unique Wedding Venues
It’s important to realize that a unique wedding venue may not offer as many amenities as a traditional one or may not be as well-suited for all wedding parties . As such, when you find unique wedding venues for your event, consider the following questions.
What’s Included in the Cost? (And What’s Not?)
When you book a wedding with a traditional venue, you can often get many services and vendors bundled into the venue rental price. For example, if you’re hosting a wedding reception at a hotel, they’ll likely throw in the cost of chairs, tables, and linens — items you might not even consider renting for a non-typical wedding venue. The costs of these “extras” really add up, so before you book one of our favorite unique wedding venues, carefully read the fine print to know what you’re paying for.
Should You Split Your Locations?
Sometimes, it just makes sense to divide the various elements of your wedding so that you can bring in a unique venue at some point during the day without overwhelming the entire experience.
For instance, you might have your wedding ceremony at the courthouse but then host the cocktail-style reception on a nearby rooftop or industrial space better suited for more casual affairs. Or, you might have a garden wedding in a more traditional ceremony space but then host a seated dinner somewhere with more of a spectacular view, even if it’s not outfitted for ceremonies or party-style receptions with a dance floor.
You may even decide to have your ceremony and reception in a more “typical” space but then opt for a unique spot for your rehearsal dinner. Since rehearsal dinners are smaller, you can be more flexible with where they occur.
Can You Bring Out Your Unique Style Elsewhere?
You may find that your wedding won’t fit at an incredibly unique venue, whether that’s due to size, accessibility requirements, budget, or anything else. If that’s the case, don’t worry — there are plenty of ways to make your wedding unique to you without relying on unique wedding reception venues or ceremony spaces. Choose an out-of-the-box theme, and work with your vendors to find interesting or out-of-the-ordinary décor, flowers, rentals, or catering.
Unique Wedding Venues FAQs
What Makes a Wedding Venue Unique?
Uniqueness is in the eye of the beholder, but generally, any wedding venue can be considered different if it stray outside of the most popular options, such as religious buildings, hotels, backyards, farms, and gardens.
What Vendors Come with Your Wedding Venue?
Occasionally, your venue may offer the services of a caterer, florist, bartender, or wedding planner. However, you’ll likely need to hire other vendors, such as wedding photographers or DJs. This is only the case for traditional venues, though. A non-traditional venue may include fewer services.
Are Unique Wedding Venues Cheaper or More Expensive?
It can go both ways! You may find that unique wedding venues are more affordable because they’re not part of the traditional wedding industry and don’t include as many services in your rental contract. You may also find that unique wedding venues are more expensive because they’re not accustomed to hosting weddings and are passing on some of their extra costs accordingly.
Do You Need Wedding Insurance for All Wedding Venues?
Yes, in most cases, you will want wedding insurance, even if the venue does not require it. Wedding insurance can ensure your investment is protected.
Is the Venue the Biggest Expense in a Wedding?
Yes, in most cases, you’ll spend the largest percentage of your wedding budget on the wedding venue.
Make Sure Your Big Day Is Covered with BriteCo Insurance
Now that you know how to find unique wedding venues and potential unique places for wedding reception hosting, it’s time to think about the next most important thing: purchasing a wedding insurance policy. A good policy like that which BriteCo provides will provide comprehensive liability and cancellation coverage so you’re not financially responsible if something happens.
Want to learn more? Get a quick, free wedding insurance quote now.
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