Break with Tradition: Quirky Wedding Venues
In the quest to make their special day truly unforgettable, more and more couples are straying from the ‘norm’ and seeking out unconventional wedding venues. Here’s some of the most unique wedding destinations around the globe.
1. Fairy-Tale Castles:
What They Offer: Fairytale castles offer centuries-old architecture, lush gardens, and extravagant interiors. These very regal venues are romantic, ooze grandeur and provide the perfect backdrop for a fairytale wedding.
What a Wedding Here Might Be Like: Imagine grand, intricate ballrooms or exchanging vows in a courtyard - complete with fountain! A wedding at a castle is a regal affair and so plan for a lavish ‘olde-world’ banquet, live music, and perhaps a fireworks display to end the night.
Where To Go:
- Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany: Known as the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle, Neuschwanstein offers couples a truly magical setting with stunning architecture and magical surroundings.
- Ashford Castle in Ireland: Set against the backdrop of County Mayo's picturesque landscape, Ashford Castle offers a luxurious and romantic venue.
2. Enchanting Treehouses:
What They Offer: Treehouse venues are rustic and intimate and of course, surrounded by nature and fantastic views. With a whimsical feel, these types of venues usually offer cozy accommodation, outdoor ceremony spaces, and have a calm, relaxed vibe.
What a Wedding Here Might Be Like: Picture saying "I do" among the leaves and twinkling stars, with the forest canopy as your backdrop. Treehouse weddings are usually small and intimate, with ceremonies held outdoors and receptions featuring farm-to-table food and live acoustic music.
Where To Go:
- Treehouse Point in Washington, USA: Nestled in the forests of the Pacific Northwest, Treehouse Point offers couples a fantastic romantic escape with its treehouse accommodations and scenic surroundings.
- Finca Bellavista in Costa Rica: Tucked away in the rainforests of Costa Rica, Finca Bellavista provides couples with a truly unique venue for their wedding, with treehouse lodgings and breathtaking views of the jungle canopy.
3. Icy Wonderlands:
What They Offer: Icy wonderlands, such as ice hotels and snow-covered landscapes, provide a magical setting for winter weddings. These venues feature ice chapels, cozy - and unique! - accommodation, and fun activities like dog sledding and views of the Northern Lights.
What a Wedding Here Might Be Like: Imagine glistening ice sculptures and candlelight and a snowy landscape as your backdrop - pretty special. Winter weddings are elegant, with receptions featuring warm drinks by fires, fairy lights, and warm, hearty food.
Where To Go:
- Icehotel in Sweden: Constructed entirely of ice and snow each winter, the Icehotel offers couples a truly unique venue for their wedding, with ice chapels sculpted by artists and lit up by soft candlelight.
- Hotel de Glace in Canada: Located just outside Quebec City, Hotel de Glace features carved ice sculptures, ice bars, and even a wedding chapel where couples can exchange vows surrounded by ice and snow.
4. Underwater Paradises:
What They Offer: Underwater venues offer colorful coral reefs and tropical marine life. These exotic locations provide a surreal and breathtaking setting for a truly unforgettable wedding experience!
What a Wedding Here Might Be Like: Surrounded by vibrant coral reefs, sea turtles, tropical fish, with the crystal-clear waters of the ocean as your backdrop. Underwater weddings are adventurous and romantic, with ceremonies held in submerged chapels or on sandy seabeds.
Where To Go:
- Conrad Maldives Rangali Island: Located in the Maldives, the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has an underwater chapel surrounded by the stunning Indian Ocean.
- Fiji: Home to numerous underwater wedding venues, where couples can say their vows surrounded by the colourful coral reefs and tropical fish in what we think is one of the most beautiful and romantic settings.
5. Sky-High Ceremonies:
What They Offer: Sky-high ceremonies, of course, offer breathtaking views. Think hot air balloons or mountain-tops, these venues offer a truly unique experience, reserved only for the adventurous!
What a Wedding Here Might Be Like: Exchange vows drifting above stunning landscapes or with panoramic cityscape views as your backdrop. Sky-high ceremonies are oddly romantic and exhilarating, all at the same time, with receptions featuring champagne toasts and gourmet cuisine - a taste of the high-life.
Where To Go:
- Cappadocia, Turkey: Known for its fantastic landscapes and hot air balloon rides, Cappadocia offers couples the opportunity to exchange vows over the fairy chimneys and ancient rock formations of this stunning region.
- Napa Valley, California: With its rolling vineyards and stunning scenery, Napa Valley provides couples with a romantic backdrop for their sky-high ceremony, whether in a hot air balloon or a scenic hillside.
So if you’re looking to celebrate your special day in a ‘non-traditional’ way, then we hope these ideas give you some inspiration to be bold, be different, and celebrate your love in, well, a truly unique way.