Hosting a destination wedding doesn’t have to mean grabbing your passport and hitting the friendly skies to cross the big blue. For example, Atlanta is thriving – the commercial development is evident in the ever-changing skyline, it’s home to the world’s busiest airport and it is even challenging Los Angeles as a mecca of the film industry.

For couples considering saying their “I do’s” in the ATL, we can’t say enough about the 151-room, AAA Five Diamond St. Regis Atlanta. Thirty minutes from the airport and located in the uber-chic neighborhood of Buckhead, the St. Regis has all the luxe you would expect of the brand, but with a hip nightlife to boot. The St. Regis Bar is the place to see and be seen and you’ll find a packed patio full of young, stylish locals enjoying a Saturday night under the stars. To kick-off your wedding weekend, the Jazz Legends series on Thursday nights is a can’t-miss. Sip on a signature St. Regis Bloody Mary (Atlanta’s version includes pickled okra) and listen to soulful Jazz as guests buzz about who’s on-site tonight (Freddy Cole, Nat King Cole’s brother, was in attendance during my visit).

When it comes to accommodations, be sure to book one of the airy St. Regis Suites, complete with oversized bathrooms and living rooms – ideal for bustling bridesmaids. For your wedding, the St. Regis boasts beautiful outdoor space – a rarity in downtown Atlanta. The Grand Terrace is a clean slate for your ceremony with sophisticated landscaping and lovely architecture. After your “I do’s,” move downstairs to the Astor Ballroom and enjoy another large patio, chic carpets and dramatic crystal chandeliers. The hotel only hosts one wedding a day, so you’ll have the entire wing to yourself, complete with private restrooms and a coat check.

As an added bonus, with the hotel just blocks from famous shopping on Peachtree Road and some of the hottest restaurants in town, your guests can leave their cars with the friendly valet indefinitely. After enjoying the St. Regis’ famous Afternoon Tea, ride your caffeine high and hit the town to explore all that this Southern city has to offer. Head down to Centennial Olympic Park and you’ll find the Georgia Aquarium (don’t miss the whale sharks!), World of Coca-Cola, the College Football Hall of Fame and the Center for Civil and Human Rights all within walking distance. To encourage your guests to explore, you would be wise to recommend an Atlanta CityPass, which grants admission to lots of the major attractions at a discounted price.

Hosting your destination wedding at the high-end St. Regis Atlanta comes at a price, but there’s invaluable benefit to the social scene, amazing location and endless city activities.

Photos courtesy of St. Regis Atlanta & Courtney Cox.