10 Exciting Destination Wedding Locations in the U.S.

 

(This story was originally published in Cocktails and Joints)

 

Destination weddings can take away a lot of the hassle – and cost – from the bride and groom, but it’s difficult to plan when your guests don’t want to leave the U.S.  You can still find some exciting places to head out of town for your nuptials without anyone needing to make a trip to the passport office. In fact, you may find some of these places offer unique scenery you won’t get on an island.

Geyserville, California

Geyserville, California

Between the Mayacamas Mountains and the vineyards, the backdrop for your ceremony will be amazing at the Geyserville Inn. This Sonoma accommodation is laid back and attentive at the same time. It’s family owned and there’s only one wedding at a time. Guests can stay right at the Inn in one of the well-appointed 41 rooms or suites.

You should also consider the rehearsal dinner or next day brunch at the Francis Ford Coppola Winery. It may be in the heart of Sonoma, but it’s part Europe with a bit of Hollywood. The property includes a castle the Academy Award-winning director had designed to look like the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.

Infinite Monkey Theorem Winery

Denver, Colorado

Forget everything you know about wineries and consider Infinite Monkey Theorem for a destination wedding venue everyone will be talking about. This urban winery doesn’t have a vineyard. Instead, they have a warehouse for their canned wine (which happens to be delicious).

Their tasting room and lounges are located in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood and Infinite Monkey has become a popular location for untraditional weddings.  Just a short drive away, the Springhill Suites Downtown Denver offers oversized rooms and a great location to put your guests up in. 

The Resort at Longboat Key Club

Longboat Key, Florida

If you still want that tropical beach wedding, but you don’t want to leave the country, The Resort at Longboat Key is your answer. Here you can enjoy the best of both worlds with a marina, golf club, beach, pools, and multiple restaurants, all a short drive from Sarasota.

Longboat Key offers a selection of venues for your ceremony, from the beach to the banquet rooms. You’ll also find plenty of suite and apartment accommodations to satisfy everyone coming to your wedding.

Deer Path Inn

Lake Forest, Illinois

How about a classic and historic inn for your destination wedding? Deer Path Inn is modeled after an English manor and has the pedigree to match, having housed Chicago’s elite and Hollywood stars since the 1860s. Every touch to details will be available to your guests at this luxury property, where limousines and butlers are readily available.

Consider the English Garden for your ceremony, followed by a cocktail hour in Windsor Hall. With only 55 rooms in this boutique hotel, you can take over the place with a wedding no one will ever forget.

Newfields

Indianapolis, Indiana

Whether you are looking for classic scenery or old time beauty, the Newfields property can provide it. IMA is located on the 26-acre estate known as Oldfields that also includes the Lilly House & Gardens. The photo possibilities for the wedding ceremony are endless and will not disappoint.

 

For your reception, chose from venues such as the Garden Terrace built by J. K. Lilly Jr., or the Deer Zink Pavilion. Plan to take a gondola through White River State Park before the event, and have the family stay downtown at JW Marriott, which stands above Indianapolis, but is convenient to all.

Mackinac Island

Michigan

Time will stop for your destination wedding on Mackinac Island. You won’t have a problem finding a horse and buggy here as it is the top mode of transportation – cars are not allowed. As for the ceremony, it’s easy to find a spot. Fort Holmes is the highest point on the island and the latest popular wedding location, but you can’t go wrong at the Grand Hotel, which has the longest front porch in the world.

The Grand Hotel is the obvious place to stay on Mackinac, but quite a few bed and breakfasts line the shore if any of your guests want a bit of privacy of their own.

Rafael Winery

Peconic, New York

Napa may have started the destination wedding winery scene, but the North Fork of Long Island has mastered it. Enjoy the beauty of the Rafael Winery vineyards for your ceremony and their Renaissance Room for your reception. Or, make it a quiet ceremony on the porch. Whether you rent out the whole winery or just bring the family, this spot is so beautiful you’ll never forget it.

For the best enjoyment of the east end, try the spring or fall when things are quieter and you’ll have a selection of reasonably priced rooms to choose from, even if your guests want to stay in the Hamptons.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Cleveland, Ohio

The ultimate destination wedding venue for a music lover is the home of rock and roll, Cleveland, where you can have your nuptials at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They can accommodate weddings for as few as 20 and as many as 2,000.

If you’d like to have the ceremony in a spot that’s a bit quieter, try the waterfront, overlooking Lake Erie. Your guests will be more than comfortable staying at the Westin Downtown Cleveland, which is walking distance away. The Urban Farmer at the hotel is a great spot for your rehearsal dinner.

Big Cypress Lodge and Bass Pro Shop

Memphis, Tennessee

For outdoors lovers, a visit to a Bass Pro Shop is always a treat, but what about getting married in one? The Pyramid is one of the most unique locals you will ever see. Inside is the largest Bass Pro Shop in the country, as well as Big Cypress Lodge, a hotel within the store. The 103 rustic rooms in this hotel look out at the store in a site like you’ve never seen before.

In the center of the pyramid is the tallest free standing elevator in the U.S. This elevator will take you to the top of the pyramid, where you’ll find a circular bar and surrounding deck that offers a 360-degree view of Memphis, with a bit of Arkansas and Mississippi.

The Edgewater

Madison, Wisconsin

Let your wedding have one destination at The Edgewater on Lake Mendoza. Regardless of the season you’ll be guaranteed some amazing views for your ceremony and reception whether you are up at the Sky Bar or down by the beach. The Edgewater accommodates small and large events, with everything taken care of from your rehearsal dinner to the post-wedding brunch.

Be sure to set up your appointments at the Edgewater Spa for your bridal party, where the specialize in wedding services. You can also take a yoga class to make sure you are fully pampered and relaxed for the big day.

Rock Hall and More in Cleveland

I always relish trips with hotels and resorts because they keep the schedules light so you can enjoy their accommodations.

Westin Cleveland Downtown had brought me to Ohio to write about their equisitely renovated property.

I had a leisurely first day exploring and day two was about checking out a few of the top sites. I was especially looking forward to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I slept in and hit the gym at the Westin Cleveland. They had spared no expense in the remodeling and stocking the fitness studio with state-of-the-art equipment, televisions, headphones, and even water and towels.

After a pilates workout, I went back to the room to shower and order my breakfast from room service.

I had a yogurt parfait with lots of berries, as well as an order of blackberry pancakes.

My first stop of the day was at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where I was getting a private tour from Director of Communications Shauna Wilson.

The excitement was mounting as I got closer and closer to the building, which reminded me a bit of the Louvre.

Outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a sign dedicating this spot as the “Birthplace of Rock ‘N’ Roll.

These dedication is due to one person, Alan Freed, a Cleveland disc jockey who used the term “rock and roll” for the first time in 1951.

Once inside, I found Shauna and the tour began. Every time I walked past something, I would be more and more amazed.

I stopped to text a picture of Jerry Garcia’s guitar to my brother, a true Deadhead, then marveled at the Inductee Class display.

On every turn, there was something remarkable, as you can see from just a sampling of the photographs (more below the text)

I could have easily spent the entire day in the Rock Hall, but I also wanted to get to the Great Lakes Science Center, which was right next door.

I was glad I did leave some time as it was another impressive museum, with lots of interactive displays for kids of all ages to enjoy.

I especially loved the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, dedicated to astronaut and Ohio native John Glenn.

I walked back to the Westin Downtown Cleveland the long way, enjoying a beautiful day.

I had worked up quite an appetite exploring so I decided to have an early dinner.

I was back at the Urban Farmer for dinner and just as impressed as I had been the day before. My dinner started with a bread tray unlike one I had seen before.

I had my own can-sixed corn bread as well as some lightly salted rolls that had a bit of a Bavarian pretzel quantity. While I was tempted to feast on these and cancel my dinner, I’m glad I didn’t.

The smoked chicken with green wheat, date, and rapini was delicious with a side of the Roasted Foraged Mushrooms.

I managed to save room for the S’mores Tart and was glad I did before I headed up to my room for the last time.

In the morning, I grabbed a veggie frittata and housemade English muffin for breakfast before heading to the airport. It had been a great stay at the The Westin Cleveland Downtown and I knew would be heading back to this city again soon.

Welcome to Cleveland with Westin Downtown

After a major renovation, The Westin Downtown Cleveland offered to flew me to the Ohio city to write about the hotel.

It had been years since I had even been there, and I was anxious to see what the city was doing in preparation for the 2016 Republican National Convention, so it didn’t take me long to accept the opportunity.

It was my first time flying into Cleveland and I quickly learned that this town has its priorities straight. It’s all about the food and the music, with top chefs producing the former and music’s most famous museum hosting the latter.

A sign greeted me the minute I walked out the door of the airport announcing the 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Exhibit. (The 2016 Exhibit will be up soon and I look forward to seeing it.)

As much as I would have loved to go straight there, I was waiting for my ride from Christopher Moore of the Cleveland Tourism Board.

I made a quick stop at The Westin Cleveland Downtown to check into my room. The hotel is indeed impressive, with over 1,500 works of art added during its $20 million renovation.

My one-bedroom suite was also magnificent and offered breathtaking views of the Cleveland waterfront.

The living room was modern and well-equipped for business or pleasure.

The only thing I didn’t like was something I’m seeing all too often in hotels – the lack of a bathtub. I will never get used to this trend.

I had a little while to unpack before Christopher picked me up for lunch.

I had hoped to get in touch with Michael Symon, who had told me to come visit Lola when I interviewed him, but he was not available and Christopher suggested I might like Greenhouse Tavern. He was not wrong.

Greenhouse Tavern was, ironically, right next to Lola on East 4^th street. This pedestrian-friendly street is closed to traffic and open to outdoor seating for fun restaurants, music, and comedy clubs.

Jonathon Sawyer had won a James Beard award for Greenhouse Tavern, with indoor and outdoor seating and a very relaxing feel.

A cocktail seemed appropriate to start and I made a great choice ordering the Pineapple-Chili Margarita. It was flavorful, but not overly spicy.

Everything on the menu looked wonderful and I took some ques from my host.

For an appetizer, we shared orders of the Crispy Chicken Wings Confit, a beet salad, and Pomme Frites, both of which were excellent. Then it was on to the main dish.

The Pulled Barbecue Mushroom sandwich has been recognized throughout the country by vegans and vegetarians. With the barbecue sauce and Carolina coleslaw is sounded amazing.

I did keep it out of the vegan category by adding some cheddar, but it’s hard for me to turn down cheese on anything.

After lunch, I decided to walk back to the hotel so I could explore the area a bit.

I really liked East 4^th Street and knew I’d like to come back some time to enjoy a night of exploring the Martini Bar, Lolas, and a show or two.

I took a walk through The Arcade. At first I thought it was some type of entertainment venue, but I soon learned it was more of a mall, with shops and restaurants, in a historic building.

I then went through the 5^th Street Arcade, where I enjoyed browsing through the smaller shops – and picking up some treats at Colossal Cupcakes.

My chocolate with cream cheese frosting cupcake didn’t last long when I got back to the room.

I got some work done and then headed down to the Urban Farmer, the restaurant at The Westin Cleveland Downtown dedicated to locally sourced food.

I often sit at the bar when dining alone and this one was very friendly. I was overwhelmed with choices, starting with the cocktail menu, but I didn’t have to drive and I had nowhere to go, so I figured I’d take my time.

My first libation was the “Devil in a Blue Dress.” It is made with infused Mount Gay Rum with blueberries, lavender, simple syrup, and soda. I loved the fruit and floral combination.

There were so many things on the menu that sounded delicious I decided to order a few small things rather than a full dinner.

I didn’t realize my “small” dishes weren’t quite so tiny, but I did my best not to leave too much.

The vegetable salad was a fresh, unusual, and tasty start. It was followed by a creamy mac and cheese, and a cheesy broccoli kohlrabi au gratin.  

It’s rare that I turn down dessert, but I was just too full. Besides, I had another chance to eat at Urban Farmer the next day.

I went up to my room and watched a bit of television before dozing off to sleep in my Westin Heavenly Bed®. It wasn’t easy as I was quite excited about my upcoming private tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.