13 unique wedding venue ideas we love

A unique wedding venue sets the tone for an unforgettable experience for you and your guests alike. From historic buildings to beautiful botanical gardens, your wedding location is the backdrop for the best day of your life, and ideally, provides a distinct charm that reflects your personality and style.

If you’ve been searching for the perfect venue for your big day, look no further. We’ve compiled a list of wedding venue ideas, along with wedding invitations and planning considerations, to help you find the most special place to say “I do.”

1. Libraries

There’s no better setting for a storybook romance than a beautiful library. Libraries offer an intimate wedding atmosphere, both elegant and nostalgic—not to mention the allure of being surrounded by great literature.

• Invitations: Select a modern wedding invitation and customize your font to mimic your favorite book cover. The aptly named “Enchanted Frame” by Sketch Design Studio is a lovely choice for any hopeless romantic. 
• Cost: Library rentals range from $1,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the location, size, and amenities.
• Availability: Consider off-peak seasons for weddings (late winter to early spring), as libraries tend to have fewer conflicting events during this time. 
• Inspiration: With a reputation as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, the Peabody Library in Baltimore, Maryland, is a standout selection. For an indoor or outdoor celebration set in a modern, airy atmosphere, take a look at the Jacksonville Public Library in Jacksonville, Florida. Or, find interesting wedding venue options at your local library or a nearby university. 

2. Beaches and lakes

A serene setting on the water sets the tone for a relaxed and picturesque wedding. Exchange vows against the soundtrack of gentle waves and a tranquil, natural setting. 

• Invitations: Choose a beach wedding invitation, or set the stage for a wedding near a body of water with “Tides” by Paperless Post.
• Cost: Prices are generally lower for public beaches or lakes, ranging from $500 to $2,500. For a private beach or lakeside resort, rentals can run from $2,500 to $10,000 or more.
• Availability: Late spring and early fall generally offer the best conditions for a beachside wedding, balancing beautiful weather and scenery.
• Inspiration: Get inspired by a Hawaiian beach wedding at Kapolei’s Paradise Cove or a classic coastal setting like North Carolina’s Wrightsville Beach. Lake Tahoe’s Edgewood Tahoe shines in every season, and the Inn at Bay Harbor in northern Michigan delivers stunning wedding scenes in warm or chilly weather. Check out more beachside settings in our list of destination wedding locations.

3. Museums

If you and your fiancé enjoy art and culture, host your wedding in a museum. Use the atmosphere to spark your creativity for little touches to incorporate into the setting, such as sculptural centerpieces or framed place settings. 

• Invitations: Play off of the architectural elements of the venue with “Embossed Arch” by Paperless Post, or go with a minimalistic design like “Minimal Foil Border” to keep your invitation consistent with a modern museum wedding.
• Cost: Costs can range from $3,000 to $20,000 or more depending on location, popularity, and amenities.
• Availability: Weekdays or off-season dates may be more affordable than weekend or peak-season dates. 
• Availability: An outdoor sculpture park like Dallas’ Nasher Sculpture Center provides stunning scenes (and backdrops for wedding photos). You’ll find inspiration everywhere at Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky—play off of the traditional and modern elements in the museum’s indoor and outdoor spaces. 

4. Wineries

Exchange your vows among the vines in wine regions throughout the country. You’ll get the beauty of the vineyards, farm-to-table cuisine, and a rustic, romantic ambiance. 

• Invitations: Choose a design inspired by the setting, such as “Napa” by Felix Doolittle. If guests are traveling, include a Travel Block with information about your venue, nearby airports, and transportation options. You can also use an Accommodations Block to provide information about available hotel blocks or other accommodation options.
• Cost: Costs range from $5,000 to $35,000, depending on the region, rental fee, and catering needs.
• Availability: Summer to early fall dates are the most in-demand due to the traditional wedding season and the vibrance of the vineyard during those months. 
• Inspiration: Stop by the elegant Chateau St. Jean in Napa Valley—or other gorgeous wineries in the area—for award-winning wines and sweeping scenic views. East Coast wine lovers can find a unique wedding location in Long Island’s Bedell Cellars.

5. Theaters

For avid patrons of the arts or couples looking for a creative wedding venue, consider getting married in a theater. The drama of the stage and your names lit up on the marquee will put the spotlight right where it belongs on your wedding day!

• Invitations: Try a marquee-inspired design like “Ascend” by Paperless Post, or take center stage and upload your own picture in the “Show Bill” photo invitation.
• Cost: Expect to pay anywhere from $2,000 for smaller community theaters to $20,000 for more well-known or historical venues. 
• Availability: Avoid running into pre-planned shows and features with an afternoon or weekday wedding. 
• Inspiration: For a blast from the past, try a vintage venue like Kansas City’s Vox Theatre or a versatile indoor/outdoor theater space like Tampa’s Straz Center for the Performing Arts. 

6. Planetariums

For an unconventional—and unforgettable—wedding location idea, host your big day under the stars. Planetariums are an especially unique wedding venue that will make your wedding feel out of this world. 

• Invitations: Guests will be starry-eyed for a celestial wedding invitation like “Pleiades” by Paperless Post. Customize your Page Style with cosmic colors and futuristic fonts to complement your invitation. 
• Cost: Venue costs range from $3,000 to $40,000, along with extra fees for outside catering, audio/visual equipment, and décor. 
• Availability: Since planetariums are indoor venues safe from weather and temperature-related disruptions, they allow for more flexibility when deciding your wedding date.
• Inspiration: Chicago’s Adler Planetarium is renowned for its beautiful spaces and scenic views of the Windy City skyline, and the Burke Baker Planetarium within the Houston Museum of Natural Science provides a starry setting sure to impress. 

7. Lighthouses

Lighthouses combine towering architectural majesty with sweeping seascape views to provide a dramatic backdrop for your wedding day. They’re often located in secluded areas, making them ideal for intimate gatherings and guests who love adventure.

• Invitations: Summon the sea with aquatically inspired designs like “Tisbury” by Linda and Harriett, or “Girandella” by Paperless Post.
• Cost: Small, lesser-known lighthouses can range from $2,000 to $5,000, while landmark lighthouse rentals are priced around $5,000 to $10,000. Add in costs for permits, insurance, catering, and transportation such as boats or ferries. 
• Availability: Off-season weddings will offer lower rates. Depending on location, weather might be the deciding factor.
• Inspiration: The historic Old Baldy Lighthouse cuts a striking figure on the North Carolina coast; the 200-year-old lighthouse and surrounding island are rich with inspiration for a maritime-centered marriage. Some lighthouse locations, like Point Cabrillo Light Station in northern California, include access to lightkeepers’ dwellings so the wedding party can stay on site. 

8. Warehouses or factories

Urban warehouses have become increasingly popular wedding venues, providing character and a canvas to customize the experience. Contrast the industrial feel by adding colorful blooms and twinkling lights throughout the space. 

• Invitations: Match the modern feel by sending a sleek invitation with a gilded touch, such as “Chronology,” by Paperless Post.
• Cost: Depending on size and location, warehouse or factory rentals range from $500 to $15,000. Unique features like high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and photo-friendly wall murals can affect the price (and demand). 
• Availability: These venues follow seasonal wedding patterns; off-season winter dates may be more affordable compared to peak seasons (spring/summer). 
• Inspiration: Many warehouses are dual-purpose venues; for example, Publik Space in Salt Lake City is an event space located in a coffee roastery. Other venues, like the Cannery Ballroom in Nashville, may come from humble beginnings—this bustling event space was once a flour mill.

9. Mountains and forests

Surrounded by towering trees and natural beauty, weddings in the great outdoors are made for nature lovers.

• Invitations: Designs like “Rainier” or “Birch Bark” by Paperless Post capture elements of the outdoors. Use a Wedding Party Block to feature photos and bios of the wedding party. You can even include fun facts, like their favorite memories of adventuring with the happy couple or the song they hope the DJ plays at the wedding.
• Cost: Outdoor venues can cost as little as a few hundred dollars or up to $40,000 for the venue, plus catering, setup, and accommodations for you and your crew. 
• Availability: Prices can vary significantly based on the time of the year. However, you can use that to your advantage by planning an off-season winter wedding, which may offer the stunning, snowy landscapes you’ve been dreaming of. 
• Inspiration: If you and your partner are passionate about national parks, start by applying for a permit. Other scenic selections include Nestldown, a redwood retreat a short drive from the heart of Silicon Valley, Colorado’s mountainous Cielo at Castle Pines, or northern Montana’s mountainous Green Valley Ranch. 

10. Greenhouses and gardens

A botanical-themed wedding is possible at any time of the year, whether it takes place in a greenhouse or a garden. Fresh, verdant ferns, trees, and flowers create a magical wedding scene. 

• Invitations: Elegant, greenery-themed wedding invitations have something for every greenhouse or garden-set wedding. Consider boho wedding invitations for a wedding with a more free-spirited style.
• Cost: Rentals range from $500 for a community garden or orchard to $15,000 or more for a glass-enclosed greenhouse. Some greenhouses or gardens have capacity limitations, so make sure to research and ask questions before securing your rental.
• Availability: Spring and summer are peak seasons for these venues, but fall and winter weddings are just as beautiful and likely more cost-effective. Book in advance for venues in popular areas or with limited availability. 
• Inspiration: The Greenhouse at Driftwood in Texas Hill Country is the stuff of greenhouse wedding dreams. Toast to your love among the orchids in San Francisco’s Shelldance Gardens, or lean into the arid splendor of cacti, succulents, and valley views at Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. 

11. Train stations

For couples looking for an architecturally appealing venue, a train station delivers. Heavy on history, these venues are an inspired choice for stylish couples with a touch of wanderlust.

• Invitations: Send classic wedding invitations to match the scenery or channel a bygone era with a vintage design like “License to Wed” by Annie Atkins. 
• Cost: Rentals range from $4,000 to $10,000, depending on location and availability. Because stations are often located in urban areas, factor in costs like catering, décor, and transportation to and from the venue. 
• Availability: Train stations aren’t the most prevalent wedding venues, but researching and booking yours well in advance will help you secure your preferred date. 
• Inspiration: Take a step back in time at a venue like Essex Station in Essex, Connecticut, where you can host your reception inside train cars from the 1920s. Chicago’s Union Station is an active Amtrak with event spaces that embody Art Deco glamour.

12. Boats and yachts

Set sail on a boat or yacht for a unique wedding location and experience. Whether you go by ocean, harbor, or lake, a sea-inspired wedding captures the adventurous spirit of you and your betrothed. 

• Invitations: Emphasize your nautical nuptials with designs like “Nautical II” by kate spade new york or “Le Lavandou” by Crane & Co. 
• Cost: $2,000 to $20,000, depending on the guest count, location, amenities, and size of the vessel. Contact charter companies to determine what’s included in the package. 
• Availability: Summer months are typically more in demand, while cooler seasons may allow for discounted rates. 
• Inspiration: If a sleek, luxury sailing experience is what you’re after, all aboard a premier charter yacht in New York City. Step foot onto a relic like the SS Meteor, a whaleback ship in Superior, Wisconsin, or travel back in time on a riverboat cruise in Savannah, Georgia.

13. Castles

For a day fit for kings, queens, and the whole royal family, tie the knot in a castle or historic estate. Grand displays of architecture and breathtaking views bring your fairytale romance to life.

• Invitations: Classic designs such as “Palaestra” by Crane & Co. and “Natural Love” by Paperless Post evoke a regal tone by utilizing a monogram, script, and gilded accents. 
• Cost: Rental rates range from $300 for outdoor-only receptions on castle grounds to $50,000 for access to a grand estate for a day.
• Availability: Since there are few castles in the United States, scout locations and book a European destination wedding 12-24 months ahead of your desired date.
• Inspiration: For a large-scale wedding and a European feel, gain inspiration from the iconic Biltmore estate in Asheville, North Carolina. A stunner during any season, Squire’s Castle in Cleveland, Ohio, is an accessible, affordable option. 

Taking your wedding from vision to vows with Paperless Post

Whether your wedding takes place high atop the mountains or on a sea-faring expedition, the wedding venue you choose should reflect your style and your love story. Factor in pricing, seasonal availability, guest experiences, and logistical needs before committing to your ideal destination. 

As you plan, let Paperless Post bring your vision to life with wedding theme ideas. With an array of customizable design templates and a guide to invitation wording, we’ll help you send the perfect wedding invitations for your special day, wherever it takes place.

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