How Romantic! 10 Wedding Venues Here ComesThe Guide Has Fallen For!

How do YOU define romance?

What types of wedding venues conjure up romance? The answers are as varied as weddingcouples themselves. A venue that showcases an unspoiled setting—redwood forest, lush gardenor rolling meadows—puts nature-lovers in the mood to be wooed. For others, a luxurious resortor grand, historic mansion sets the stage for love. Romance is often tied to a personalexperience, and some couples get starry-eyed when recalling their first walk along the beach atsunset, or the time they sampled a winery’s finest vintage while gazing outat sprawling vineyards.

Choosing your romantic wedding venue

First, try and zero in on the kind of atmosphere that makes your hearts go pitter-patter (rustic?modern? classic? historic?). Next, think about what venue types might echo a specialtime you shared as a couple (was your first date at a museum? did he propose at his parents’country club?). At Here Comes The Guide, we have the lucky “job” of scouring the country forthe most unique, sought-after, and yes, romantic wedding venues. Get ready, because herecomes some inspiration!

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Location: 3251 South Miami Avenue, Miami FLStyle: Italian Country VillaInteresting Tidbit: Commissioned by millionaire James Deering, Vizcaya was built between1914 and 1922 and involved the work of around 1,000 people, not to mention the constructionof a railroad and the dredging of a channel to transport material, supplies, furnishings andartworks. Today, you and your guests can tour the 34 opulently appointed rooms and explorethe Secret, Maze and Fountain Gardens.Event Space Highlights: Ceremonies take place in the gardens, or in the Courtyard of theMain House. Cocktail parties and receptions can be held in the Courtyard, the gardens, or onthe terraces that overlook Biscayne Bay (area availability depends on the size of the event).Notable Amenity: 125 parking spaces are included in the evening rental fee.Catering: Select from list or BYOAccommodations: Nearby hotels

The Barn at High Point Farms

Location: 263 Parrish Lane, Flintstone GAStyle: Warm, welcoming, countryFab Feature: At this family-owned, working farm you’ll find a wealth of photo ops, from theweathered barn and vintage farmhouse to the horses and goats grazing in surroundingpastures.Event Space Highlights: Ceremonies are usually held outside in a grove of trees or on thelawn overlooking the scenic landscape, while the large pole barn hosts receptions. It’s beendecorated with lights and draped with flowing white curtains, a captivating mix of rustic andelegant.Notable Attractions: With Chattanooga just a short drive from the farm and plenty of thingsto see and do in the area (like Ruby Falls, Rock City, the Tennessee Aquarium, and riverboatrides), your guests will love staying the whole weekend.Catering: Select from list or BYOAccommodations: Guest house sleeps 8; nearby hotels (20 minutes away)

The Hay-Adams

Location: 800 16th & H Streets N.W., Washington, D.C.Style: Gorgeous 1920s architectural gemFab Feature: The 21 suites, all of which lodge you in luxury and afford views of the WhiteHouse, Lafayette Park and St. John’s Church depending on which one you reserve.Event Space Highlights: An express elevator takes you to The Top of the Hay, wherewraparound French doors and windows overlook an amazing panorama of D.C., with the bestview in town of the White House. The Concorde Room’s Belle Époque styling is highlighted byhand-painted wallpaper and crystal chandeliers, while the Windsor Room showcases ornateceiling details, silk-covered walls, brass chandeliers, and an ornamental fireplace.Wedding Package Perks: Their packages include a custom wedding cake and complimentarysuite (100-guest event minimum required), as well as linens, china, glassware, votives, dancefloor and more.Catering: Provided in-houseAccommodations: 145 guest rooms and suites

Ashford Estate

Location: 637 Province Line Road, Allentown NJStyle: Upscale, European-inspired Country EstateFab Feature: The grounds are stunning and include “30 park-like acres of sculpted property,complete with sparkling fountains, waterfalls, a floating gazebo, stone ruins, garden arbors andsprawling views.”Event Space Highlights: The Barn Wedding Chapel is unique, with its painted wood rafters,floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and tilt windows lining the walls. Even more sensational is theGrand Ballroom, where a vaulting ceiling designed in a series of carved wood arches soars overan expansive room filled with light thanks to multipaned windows throughout as well aschandeliers and sconces.Notable Services: They offer Intelligent Lighting Packages that include a trained lightingdesigner who can custom program mood lighting, spot lighting, and high-energy effectsspecifically for your event.Catering: Provided in-houseAccommodations: Nearby hotels

Barr Mansion and Artisan Ballroom

Location: 10463 Sprinkle Road, Austin TXStyle: Ornate Victorian mansion and gardensInteresting Tidbit: The mansion has serious “green” credentials—their food, gardens andlinens are all organic and they’re also a zero-waste facility.Event Space Highlights: In the ballroom, a 40-foot glass façade looks out onto the grounds.Outdoors, you can say “I do” in the shade of a tree decorated with sparkling chandeliers orother accents.Wedding Package Perks: The venue, rentals, catering, cakes and coordination services areincluded.Catering: Provided in-house. You can customize your menu or go with the seasonal HarvestMenu. All dishes are made with the best local and organic ingredients available.Accommodations: Nearby hotels

Waldorf Astoria Chicago

Location: 11 East Walton Street, Chicago ILStyle: Sophisticated, AAA Five Diamond hotelFab Feature: The hotel is like a swank art gallery, displaying photography, paintings,drawings, fiberworks and sculptures from over 30 international contemporary artists.Event Space Highlights: Reminiscent of 1920s Paris, the Sinclair Ballroom boasts silk-covered walls, coffered ceilings, hand-blown glass-and-crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceilingwindows. It also comes with an intimate outdoor terrace overlooking the neighborhood below.The Faulkner and Hemingway Salons host smaller events.Notable Services: The award-winning Waldorf Astoria Spa & Health Club offers a full rangeof customizable treatments. Men can get a facial or massage tailored just for them, and there’seven a fun Ice Cream Manicure for kids.Catering: Provided in-houseAccommodations: 189 guest rooms and suites

Calamigos Ranch Malibu

Location: 327 South Latigo Canyon, Malibu CAStyle: Rustic, elegant, and pastoralFab Features: You can rent a ferris wheel or a merry-go-round for your event. And for a trulywestern-style celebration, reserve The Barn—there’s sawdust on the floor, bales of hayscattered about, and it’s painted bright red!Event Space Highlights: There are four different outdoor ceremony options, each with itsown reception site. The Garden Patio is paired with the sun-filled Lodge; the Oaks Deck forintimate ceremonies works well with the nearby Dining Room; the Cottage and Pavilioncombine a secluded meadow with a white reception tent; and the Secret Garden offers a grassyfield bordered by roses, trees and a waterfall for exchanging vows, followed by a reception on aprivate multilevel deck.Wedding Package Perks: All the basics are included for both your ceremony and reception,and you have your choice of a formal sit-down dinner or station buffet. Calamigos isenvironmentally minded, using local and organic products and eco-friendly supplies andtableware as much as possible.Catering: Provided in-house or BYOAccommodations: Nearby hotels

The Cliffs Resort

Location: 2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach CAStyle: Quintessential California coastal oasisFab Feature: They have over 300 days of sunshine a year!Event Space Highlights: After a glorious oceanfront lawn ceremony, you can keep the partyal fresco with champagne toasts on the Waterfall Terrace and dinner in the Oceanside TentPavilion (endless sea views!) or move indoors into the sophisticated Grand Ballroom.Wedding Package Perks: All of their packages offer a long list of amenities, and if youchoose the all-inclusive Platinum Coastal Reception Package you’ll enjoy an upgrade to acustom 6-course menu with pre-event private menu consultation and tasting as well as a 1-night stay in an oceanview room on your anniversary date.Catering: Provided in-houseAccommodations: 160 guest rooms and suites with ocean, coastal, or mountain views

James Leary Flood Mansion

Location: 2222 Broadway, San Francisco CAStyle: Classical blend of Italian Renaissance, Rococo, Tudor and Georgian architecturalinfluencesInteresting Tidbit: After his Nob Hill home was destroyed in the 1906 earthquake fire, JamesLeary Flood used the gold and silver mining fortune he’d inherited to rebuild a more robusthome, promising his wife “a house of marble on a hill of granite.” True to his word, it wascompleted in 1915.Event Space Highlights: 11,000 square feet of the mansion are available for your event. The140-foot-long Grand Hall ends at a spectacular bow-windowed belvedere overlooking apanoramic vista of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, and the Marin County hills.Imitating a room in the Vatican, the Reception Room boasts a magnificent coffered ceiling,painted murals , and a parquet floor. The Cortile, a pretty enclosed courtyard off of the GrandHall, is available for outdoor gatherings, weather permitting.Notable Amenities: Rental includes exclusive use of the mansion, and pianos are available inthe Reception Room and Grand Hall by prearrangement.Catering: Select from listAccommodations: Nearby hotels

Belle Fiore Estate and Winery

Location: 955 D Indian Memorial Road, Ashland ORStyle: Graceful French château and groundsFab Feature: You can savor Belle Fiore’s Reserve Wines at a private wine tasting in theChâteau Tasting Room or on the château’s patio on Fridays and Saturdays (reservationrequired).Event Space Highlights: Outdoor celebrations on the terrace and in the gardens overlook 50acres of vineyards with sweeping views of the Rogue Valley. The Wine Pavilion, with itsItalianate architecture and vineyard and mountain views, offers both indoor and al fresco eventoptions.Notable Services: Their on-site Events Coordinator will help you plan the wedding youenvision.Catering: Provided in-house or select from listAccommodations: Nearby hotels with round-trip shuttle service

Author Bio:Jolene Rae Harrington couldn’t be more proud toshare some Tips & Trends with YWE couples. Mytitle goes beyond Director of Creative Contentand a Venue Specialistat HereComesTheGuide.com—I’m also a real-lifeGuide Bride! More than 19 years ago, HereComes The Guide helped me track down my owndream wedding venue, and today I’m still happilywedded to both Mr. Harrington and HCTG! DavidTutera and I actually go back a ways too: About 5years ago, we had a one-on-one interview that ledto sharing wedding planning advice. Morerecently, we met again at a trunk show where hehelped one of my besties select a gorgeous David Tutera by Mon Cheri gown!

Tip from David:“Venue selection is important, so take your time. Your venue will be your home for over sixhours…the most memorable six hours of your new lives together; choose it wisely and try not to

settle!”