Top Secret Destination Weddings in North America

Unless you’re planning to have hundreds of guests, there are so many reasons to have a destination wedding. You’ll never have a better excuse to check out a new and beautiful locale, and getting away from your hometown makes the occasion feel even more special. Because destination weddings tend to be smaller, they’re more intimate and you’ll be certain that everyone in attendance is there for you and not the free booze. By picking a destination that is a little less popular, you’ll have a better chance at keeping your budget under control and coordinating services on shorter notice. This is a list of 25 wedding locations that are a little further off the beaten track.

1. Summit County, Colorado: Summit County sums up all there is to love about Colorado. Home to dozens of ski resorts, mountain villages, and expansive views, couples looking for anything from seclusion, beauty or resort-style amenities will be able to find something to suit their needs within the county’s 608 square miles. Breckenridge, home to one of Colorado’s most popular ski resorts, is the county seat, and one of the most fun resort-party towns in the state. You’ll find no shortage of lodging here, and lots of catering options. But if you’re looking for something a little less touristy, try one of the smaller towns, like Dillon or Keystone, or look into renting a secluded ranch site located off one of the county roads. There are several located up toward the tiny town of Kremmling, north of Silverthorne. Whatever your preference, you’ll end up with a slew of gorgeous photos from a wedding in this priceless region.

2. Oaxaca, Mexico: You won’t find any beaches here – located in the middle of Mexico is the historical and culturally-rich city of Oaxaca. Complete with ancient ruins, vibrant markets, and to-die-for cuisine, Oaxaca has been named one of the most underrated vacation spots in Northern America. There are plenty of mountain crests to get hitched atop of or look into one of the upscale resorts and spas, like the Hotel Hacienda Los Laureles.

3. Peak’s Island, Maine Just a short ferry ride from Portland is Peak’s Island, a maritime getaway full of lively, territorial locals and magnificent views. In the summer, the influx of mainlanders drives the island’s lobster industry and in the winter the population flips on its axis to become almost desolate. But for a New England coastal wedding, you won’t find a more picturesque locale. Check out The Inn on Peak’s Island a quaint old Inn with gorgeous accommodations, a great restaurant, and ocean vistas. Lobster, of course, will be a must on your wedding menu.

4. Gatlinburg, Tennessee: Depending on where you’re from, a wedding in the Appalachian mountains might not sound like your cup of tea. Put your images of coal mines aside, Gatlinburg, located on the North Carolina border, is one of the most gorgeous spots in the Smoky Mountains. Not to mention, it’s the home of Dolly Parton! Tell me what’s more classy than a Dollywood wedding reception? Hey, if you’re into kitsch, then that might be your ticket. It’s located in Pigeon Forge, just a few miles north of Gatlinburg. If you’re looking for something a little more traditional, check out The Gatlinburg Chapel at the Park. The morning fog and mystery inherent in the Smoky Mountains is a guaranteed perfect backdrop for a romantic ceremony.

5. Peter Island Resort, BVI: If you want an island wedding and your guests have some dough to spend on airfare and lodging, look no further than the Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands. One of the less talked-about Islands in the Caribbean, Peter Island is not lacking in scenery and beauty. One glance at the resort’s photo gallery and you’ll be on the phone to your travel agent in no time.

6. Ruidoso, New Mexico: If you’re a skier, outdoor enthusiast, or lover of the old west, then check out Ruidoso, New Mexico, located a four-hour drive southeast of Albuquerque. It’s a mountain oasis in the middle of a desert state and its quaint village center has all the amenities one needs to put together a top-of-the-line wedding. One of the town’s biggest attractions, aside from the Apache Ski Resort, is the Inn of the Mountain Gods, a luxurious casino that offers lodging, reception sites, and gorgeous views.

7. Big SurBig Sur is hands down one of the most gorgeous places on California’s Pacific Coast Highway, with dramatic cliffs that rival those found along southern Australia’s Great Ocean Drive. While the location is a popular one among tourists, it’s also located smack dab in between California’s most populous cities and isn’t a densely populated region. You’ll have to plan ahead if you want to book a resort, like the Ventana Inn, a gorgeous hotel located on 240 coastal acres of land. But if you’re looking for something a little more low key, just pop out to the beach for your ceremony or check out the Big Sur botanical garden. There’s plenty of options. And your guests will thank you for giving them an excuse to check out this must-see landscape.

8. Red Fish Lake, Idaho: Dirty Dancing fans, eat your heart out. OK, so that movie takes place in upstate New York, but there is something about the Redfish Lake Lodge that is reminiscent of the holiday camp featured in the movie. The Idaho Sawtooth Mountains aren’t as vast as the Rockies, but their jagged, rough peaks are just as breathtaking. And there’s plenty of recreational activities to choose from with lodging and food on site.

9. Sanibel Island, Florida: This seashell-rich island, located off the Gulf coast near Ft. Myers, offers all of Florida’s good qualities, and none of the bad. Well, OK, there are some pink stucco buildings to be found, but it is Florida after all. But the good news is there’s no neon! It’s just beachy nature everywhere. Sanibel offers everything you could want in the way of accommodations and food and it’s white-sand beaches fill up daily with pink shells from the sea. If you want a secluded ceremony, check out the nearby island of Captiva, which is an uninhabited wonder of nature.

10. Villa Hijos del Sol, Mexico: Just an hour north of Acapulco on the Mexican Riviera is Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa , a less crowded, more pristine beach area with lots of resorts, spas and amenities. There are many options for wedding locations, including the Villa Hijos del Sol, a seaside hotel with magnificent beaches and a stunning pool area for your reception.

11. Cannon Beach, Oregon: If you’ve seen the Goonies, then you might recognize < http://www.el.com/to/cannonbeach/ >Cannon Beach’s magnificent jutting rock formation, Haystack Rock. This is one of Oregon’s most stunning beach vistas, with miles and miles of stretching, public beach land available for the wedding of your dreams. Hit up one of the nearby hotels for lodging and catering services – check out this online guide for resources.

12. West Virginia : West Virginia might possibly be the most undervalued state. This is unfortunate, because in reality West Virginia is one of the most beautiful places in the country. The entire state is covered in dense, green, forest-covered mountains, beautiful rivers, and rolling hills. It’s a refuge for hikers, mountain bikers, and campers. And since it’s not densely populated there are plenty of serene wedding spots to be found. Nestled within the mountains are several resorts perfectly suited for your impending nuptials! Look at the Greenbrier Resort & Spa, a luxurious, old colonial hotel, or the massive Stonewall Resort.

13. Big Bend, Texas: The Big Bend area is about as remote as it gets. Located on the Mexican border, about four hours from the closest airport in El Paso, your guests will have to work a little to get there, but they will thank you once they do. The park itself is one of the more unique National Parks in the U.S., giving your wedding party lots to do before or after the ceremony. The surrounding area also offers a diverse array of wedding locations to choose from. If you are looking for something outside the park’s borders, check out Marfa, a desert town that is quickly becoming a popular tourist location due to its thriving art scene. Or if art isn’t your thing, Ft. Davis offers gorgeous mountain backdrops and a few lodge-type hotels to choose from. If you’re planning a really small wedding, look at the Gage Hotel in Marathon. It’s about the only thing in town, but its comfortable rooms, cozy bar and restaurant, and picturesque pool area are most definitely worth forgoing traditional amenities. The hotel’s courtyard was built for a reception. All towns are located about 70 or so miles north of Big Bend’s entrance.

14. Rancho Cicada Retreat, California: The Rancho Cicada Retreat, located about 50 miles east of Sacramento, offers all of the beauty of expensive winery weddings at a fraction of the cost. Plus, the site has the babbling Cosumnes River running right through it. And wedding parties get the added benefit of access to the two modern and spacious cabins and all of the more basic cabins and tent sites on the property. If your guests aren’t into roughing it so much, nearby Plymouth offers adequate lodgings. Several wineries are also located in the town, so your guests can tour the countryside during their downtime!

15. St. Simons Island, Georgia: The Georgia Golden Isles have all the Southern allure of a Mark Twain novel, with dazzling charm, as well. St. Simons Island, where Eugenia Price wrote all of her novels, has a great lighthouse (lighthouses for sale) and many resources available for planning a wedding. Your guests can tour the marshes, see dolphins, and visit the nearby ecological haven of Cumberland Island, also a worthy candidate for a wedding location. Once you kick back with a mint julep, you’ll succumb to the easy pace of the region.

16. Rainbow Ranch, Montana: Rainbow Ranch is located in the heart of Big Sky Country, Montana. Nestled in a pine valley with a river flowing through, the Rainbow Ranch is both luxurious and causal at the same time. Weddings are their specialty, so don’t worry about outsourcing the food or amenities. Lodging is on site and you and your guests can spend the day taking horseback rides through gorgeous mountain meadows, fishing in the nearby river, golfing or rafting. Plus, there’s an outdoor hot tub! Need I go on?

17. Big Pine Key & Lower Florida Keys: The Florida Keys are a known tourist destination and can often be overcrowded, which is why the Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys are a perfect choice for a wedding. Get rid of the background noise by checking into one of these less-densely populated islands, chock-full of nature and water. To relax before your wedding, take a peaceful bike or boat ride.

18. Quebec City, Canada: Quebec City might as well call itself “Little Europe.” The Château Frontenac, a historical hotel, dominates the skyline like a gigantic French castle. The picturesque city becomes even more so in the winter when it is covered in snow. Host your wedding there, at the breathtaking Montmorency Falls, or alongside the vast St. Lawrence River. You will feel like a princess, guaranteed.

19. Sawmill Creek Resort, Ohio: If you’re a Midwesterner at heart, but want the feeling of a beach wedding, try the immense backdrop of Lake Erie for your ceremony. The Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio has everything a quintessential wedding location needs. March down the aisle over the resort’s charming Gazebo Bridge, spanning a narrow waterway. The Resort offers full wedding-planning services, accommodations, and recreations like on-site golfing and charter fishing.

20. White Hall Vineyards: White Hall Vineyards, located near Charlottesville, Virginia, is the perfect spot for a stylish country wedding. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, White Hall is an old-farm-turned-vineyard with great wines, reasonable rental rates, and terrific scenery.

21. Mendocino, California: InMendocino everything is fantastic. The food, the wine, the scenic Pacific views, the accommodations. Choose adventure or choose quaint chapel, whatever your style Mendocino has something for you.

22. Rancho De La Osa, Arizona: This Dude Ranch has been featured in many tourism and architectural publications, and in 2006 it was listed as one of Arizona’s most romantic getaways. The tasteful yet hip, modern interior design contrasts beautifully with the Old West theme of a Dude Ranch. The remote location, on the Mexican border, south of Tucson, offers much seclusion, and the ranch itself offers many activities like horseback riding, swimming, hiking, and spa services – it also has a great wine restaurant on site. There are a couple of catches – the entire ranch can only sleep 50 people, so it’s definitely for small weddings only, and if you’re thinking about a summer wedding, steer clear of the 100-degree-plus heats.

23. Badlands: So, you’ve surely heard of the South Dakota Badlands, but it’s most likely that you’ve never considered a wedding there. Well, think again! The Badlands and Black Hills have supremely unique landscapes, with wild bison roaming freely. Rent out an old ranch, like The Circle View Gathering, or head up to the legendary, historic town of Deadwood for an outlaw-themed reception.

24. Harvest Moon Guest House: Eloping? Even if you’re taking along a few friends, you might consider The Harvest Moon Guest House, a super-secluded, surrounded-by-nature retreat on the Similkameen River in British Columbia. It sleeps only eight, but there are other amenities nearby. It features cute, log-cabin amenities, a hot tub, and nature activities galore!