When planning a wedding, there are many details to plan and organise, and one of the biggest is choosing your Wedding Venues. Once you decide on this, everything else on your to-do list will become much easier to manage.
If you’re not sure what kind of venue you want but know you want something unique or that defies tradition, consider one of these 15 venue types—you might find an idea or two that you hadn’t considered before.
1. Schoolhouse
Many old schoolhouses possess a charm that suits a wedding ceremony and reception perfectly. They are well-sized for smaller, more intimate weddings, and they’re often on the more affordable side. Depending on the location, the schoolhouse may also accommodate an outdoor ceremony or reception space.
Image Source – Sound Originals
2. Greenhouse
Couples who are passionate about plants or gardening might find a greenhouse an excellent venue for their wedding. It offers all the natural elements of a garden or outdoor space, like plenty of greenery and natural lighting, without the worry of inclement weather.
3. Restaurant or Pub
Restaurants or pubs can provide a warm and inviting atmosphere at a more affordable price, with significant expenses like food and drinks incorporated into the venue’s price. The best part about choosing a restaurant or pub is the variety of styles available to suit your tastes.
Image Source – Pinterest
4. Brewery or Distillery
Breweries and distilleries provide an industrial-chic atmosphere and handcrafted drinks for you and your guests. Many breweries and distilleries, like restaurants, have seating available and decor already incorporated, keeping additional costs and arrangements minimal.
5. Winery or Vineyards
Often known for their natural beauty, wineries and vineyards can make for stunning wedding venues. They are often equipped to offer food and seating, and wine will be readily available.
Image Source – PartySlate
6. Museum or Gallery
Showcase your passions and interests by holding your wedding at a gallery or museum. You and your partner can find places that display the art that brings you the most joy or exhibits centred around subjects you both find fascinating.
7. Theatre
This unexpected venue is a fun way to create a dramatic and entertaining experience for you and your guests. They’re often equipped with dressing rooms, where the wedding parties can get ready, a lighting system for dramatic flair, and sound systems to support a DJ or band. Plus, you can showcase your names on the marquee—the perfect spot to snap a few wedding photos.
Image Source – Wedding Wire
8. Casino
The excitement of a casino—an in-person casino, of course, not an online one like you’d find through casinos.com—can create a thrilling atmosphere for a wedding with its glittering lights and luxurious design details. The gaming floor offers excitement to keep your guests entertained as part of the reception, and everything you need is usually on-site—including food, drinks, decor, music, and more.
9. Castle or Chateau
Castles and chateaus are enchanting and impressive both inside and out, making them a wonderful choice for a wedding venue. The ballrooms and expansive estates provide the perfect setting for hosting your ceremony and reception, offering you everything you need at one location. If a castle or chateau is beyond your budget, historic homes or mansions can also be a beautiful and more practical alternative.
Image Source – Hitched
10. Hotel
Hotels likely find their way into your wedding plans, whether as a central space for you and your wedding party to get ready for the day or as a part of your honeymoon plans, but they may just make their way into your wedding plans as your venue. Most hotels have large reception spaces where you can host every part of your dream wedding.
11. Warehouse
If you want plenty of space with a rustic or industrial aesthetic, a warehouse can provide just that. It’s also an option that will allow you to incorporate your style and aesthetic preferences since a warehouse is essentially a blank slate.
Image Source – Hitched
12. Library
For book lovers, a library is a dream wedding venue. There are old libraries with beautiful architecture and small, intimate locations that are more affordable—depending on where you plan to tie the knot. The common denominator is that you can hold your ceremony and reception with your friends, family, and favourite books surrounding you.
13. University or College
Many university and college buildings are impressive examples of architecture with plenty of interior space, making them an appealing option for a wedding. They can give couples access to multiple rooms and other onsite amenities (like gardens) for the duration of their wedding.
Image Source – Dale Stephens Photography.
14. Amusement Park
When you opt to hold your wedding at an amusement park, you’ll have somewhere to say your “I dos” and get admission to the park. It’s a fun way to share your love for thrilling rides and carnival games with your loved ones.
15. National Park or Campground
National parks offer an outdoor wedding experience that you can tailor to your preferences in different ways. Some couples might host a camping weekend for a wedding celebration. There are some more rustic versions where you can car camp, but there are also glamping versions with hotel-like amenities in a yurt. Other couples may simply host a ceremony and reception dinner within the forest. It’s certainly an unexpected way to celebrate, but it brings you closer to nature and the ones you love.
Image Source – mfeltphotography.com
Key Takeaway
These 15 wedding venue types allow you to express yourself as a couple in a memorable way. Years from now, you’ll look back to your wedding photos, grateful you opted for something unique.
