10 of Our Favorite Waterfront Wedding Venues in the US

Combining the effortless beauty of nature with one-of-a-kind atmosphere, it’s little wonder that waterfront wedding venues are popular. You can find beautiful waterfront venues anywhere and at any price, depending their exact location and amenities.

Whether you hope to tie the knot with your feet in the sand to a soundtrack of ocean waves or exchange your vows overlooking a beautiful river from an elegant terrace, there are a variety of waterfront wedding options at your disposal. Consider tying the knot at one of our 10 favorite waterfront venues from around the country.

Hightower Falls
Cedartown, GA
Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachians only one hour from Atlanta, this lovely venue intertwines natural splendor with romantically woodsy architecture. Say your “I do’s” before an 80-foot, spring-fed cascading waterfall with a beautiful 19th century stone gristmill beside it, creating the ideal backdrop for wedding photos. You can even seal the deal on the Back Porch Patio, a terrace that offers breathtaking views of the falls. Continue the rustic-chic ambiance by dancing the night away in the barn-like Coosa Hall below glittering chandeliers and vintage finishes that are highlighted by the views of the flowing creek. You can also celebrate in the Back Porch building, a stately reception venue that boasts spectacular views of the falls and a large brick fireplace that harkens back to gentler times. Make a full night of your big day by taking advantage of one of the property’s on-site cabins.

Illinois Beach Resort
Zion, IL
Nestled in a scenic state park, Illinois Beach Resort offers a secluded feel while being conveniently located less than an hour from Chicago. Exchange your vows on the sandy shores of Lake Michigan beneath a beautiful archway surrounded by stately trees and lush lakeside grasses to create a truly one-of-a-kind setting. These stunning views continue even when you move indoors for your celebration, creating a unique ambiance that guests are sure to remember. The elegant reception space is ideal for celebrating your union, complete with sky high ceilings, designer lighting, and wall-to-wall floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the breathtaking majesty of the Great Lakes. Providing an airy, beachy feel that few places in the Midwest can achieve, Illinois Beach Resort is truly a gem among wedding venues.

Sandbridge Realty
Virginia Beach, VA
Celebrate your wedding day and your honeymoon all in one when you host your big day at a Sandbridge Realty property. These luxurious beach homes are located along the waterfront of Sandbridge on the southern portion of Virginia Beach. Envision you and your beloved sharing your first kiss as husband and wife on the golden-sand beach, located only a few steps outside the door of your oceanfront home. After an easy stroll back to the house, enjoy relaxing cocktail hour on a sunset-view terrace with your friends and loved ones, toasting to your future as spouses to the soundtrack of ocean waves lapping the shore. Retreat to one of the coastal-style dining rooms for an intimate reception. Multiple kitchens offer abundant room to hire your own caterer for the day. Combining the effortless beauty of an oceanside wedding with the intimacy of a family beach trip, Sandbridge Realty is sure to offer a one-of-a-kind experience at one of their event homes.

The Plantation on Crystal River
Crystal River, FL
The Plantation on Crystal River offers a singularly romantic setting situated along the sparkling waterways of Florida. Share your first kiss as spouses beneath the shade of a pristine gazebo framed by towering palm trees at the riverside. Once you’ve tied the night, rejoice with your nearest and dearest in the upscale ballroom featuring showstopping views of Kings Bay. For smaller occasions, the romantic outdoor gazebo and lush lawn offers a picturesque setting for celebrating your union. This unique venue is highly flexible, offering the ideal backdrop for weddings both extravagant and intimate. In addition to offering a relaxing yet elegant venue, The Plantation on Crystal River offers a number of activities for couples and guests alike to take advantage of during their stay, ranging from swimming with manatees to playing a round or two of golf.

Swan Point Yacht and Country Club
Issue, MD
Standing at the banks of the Potomac River, Swan Point Yacht and Country Club seamlessly combines the upscale and the quaint with elegant settings that are set off perfectly by natural beauty. Seal the deal with a kiss beneath the shade of magnolia trees at the river’s edge, the stately trees providing shelter from the glowing sun. The clubhouse, surrounded by magnificent magnolias and vibrant flowers, promises of the fun to come. Sip on champagne and handcrafted cocktails on the expansive veranda as you watch the sun set over the verdant golf course. Once it comes time to celebrate your union, dance the night away beneath vintage-style chandeliers and coffered ceilings in the ballroom. Intertwining natural beauty and southern charm, the Swan Point Yacht and Country Club is sure to make an impression!

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
San Diego, CA
Situated along the stunning shores of the bay, this Polynesian-themed resort offers a slice of paradise right in sunny San Diego. Imagine exchanging vows on a white-sand beach beneath a flower-laden archway with the ocean waves practically lapping at your feet, or tying the knot beneath the shade of a charming gazebo on a lush green lawn overlooking the sea. before celebrating in a gorgeous ballroom with 180-degree views of Mission Bay, allowing you to channel your paradise wedding dreams on the big day. Looking for a more Hawaiian-like feel to your reception? Arrange for an authentic sunset luau complete with hula dancers, fire torch performances, and an authentic buffet of Polynesian delights! The tropics meet beautiful California when you say “I do” at Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa.

Tellico Village Yacht Club
London, TN
Tellico Village Yacht Club offers the kind of setting that fairytales are made of. Originally established in a private lakefront community, this first class yacht club still carries an air of timeless sophistication and grandeur. Spend the hours before your big moment luxuriating in the charming bridal suite, complete with a neutral color palette ideal for taking photos. Envision walking down the aisle to the waterside, taking in the breathtaking scenery of the mountains and glittering lake as you begin your life anew. Each new season offers a revolutionized landscape that is sure to impress no matter what time of year, ranging from the dazzling flowers of spring to the richly colored trees of autumn. Continue drinking in this peaceful atmosphere as you toast to your future as spouses in the inviting ballroom and expansive patio overlooking the docked yachts nearby.

VIP Country Club
New Rochelle, NY
Nestled on the shores of the Long Island Sound, the VIP Country Club combines a convenient location with breathtaking views that suit the name “VIP.” Known as one of the premier waterfront wedding venues in the area, this country club unparalleled wedding day experience brimming with sophistication and romance. Meet your beloved at the end of the aisle beneath a white pergola on the terrace, enjoying views of the Sound and romantic fountains. Savor delectable cocktails al fresco, watching the sun set over the water as you mingle with guests. The sophisticated interior spaces also showcase these unparalleled views with their expansive windows, while also emphasizing first-rate interiors with fine finishes like french-style doors, sky high coffered ceilings, and stately columns. If you hope to host a luxurious affair, look no further than VIP Country Club.

Delegates Dining Room of the United Nations
New York, NY
Perched atop the 4th floor of the United Nations headquarters, the Delegates Dining Room offers sky high waterfront views like no other in New York City. Known for having one of the largest outdoor patios in Manhattan, this gorgeous setting offers a jaw dropping setting for saying “I do.” Is an indoor ceremony more your style? Tie the knot in the on-site chapel just a few floors below. Celebrate your union by dining on delectable cuisine and sipping on upscale cocktails as you drink in show stopping panoramic views of the East River and the iconic city skyline out of floor-to-ceiling windows. An understated yet decidedly elegant interior allows the indoor space to be beautifully transformed to suit your test and specifications, without stealing the show from the incomparable views beyond. Distinguished by impeccable cosmopolitan style and stunning views, the Delegates Dining Room of the United Nations is a truly one-of-a-kind place to host your big day.

Weddings at Falling Waters
Asheville, NC
Perched at the edge of Nantahala Gorge with gorgeous views of Fontana Lake, Weddings at Falling Waters offers the ideal combination of swoon-worthy mountain beauty and adventure. Encompassed by the Nantahala National Forest and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this venue allows you and your guests to revel in nature’s splendor. Imagine exchanging your vow on a woodsy terrace overlooking the surrounding mountain landscape before moving your celebration to an airy white tent erected at the side of the sparkling lake surrounded by lush, stately trees. Aside from offering a uniquely romantic setting for saying “I do,” this venue offers innumerable activities for you and your guests to enjoy, including river rafting, mountain biking, zipline canopy tours, and much more! Unique on-site lodging, ranging from a yurt village to a lodge, allows you and your guests to connect over the course of multiple days and enjoy a singular experience together.

Credits:
Jenny Daniels Photography
Marissa Rene Photography
Pauline Conway Photography
Kelsey Prater Photography
Amy Anaiz Photography