Best Urban Venues for a Destination Wedding
Some couples prefer seclusion, while others thrive on having endless options at their fingertips. If you and your beloved fall into the latter category, we understand! Urban wedding venues offer numerous advantages, including easy accessibility by plane or train, access to excellent vendors, and a built-in array of activities for guests, ranging from museums to nightclubs. Moreover, city weddings don’t have to break the bank. Here are some ways to incorporate your wedding vows into a city setting.
Melting Pot
The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth was a game-changer when it debuted in 1981 as the cornerstone of Sundance Square, and it’s still a city favorite for its enviable position. Take advantage of sunny Texas with a wedding reception for up to 500 on their outdoor terrace, with its latticed backdrop and the dome of City Hall behind you and the famed Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District a quick drive away. Cities are melting pots by their nature, and the events team knows how to blend myriad traditions into something personal and meaningful. Don’t miss celebrity chef Richard Sandoval’s Toro Toro; featuring pan-Latin cuisine, they can do private parties for up to 50. Guests will love being right on the pedestrian-only center of the city, with live music every weekend.
Mainland Marina
At its heart, San Diego is a port city, and Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina takes full advantage of its unique marina-side location on Harbor Island. The newly renovated guest rooms are all about the views, as are the event spaces. Have a yacht-themed welcome party on the garden lawn, and an indoor-outdoor ceremony and reception at the Pacific Jewel ballroom and terrace, located on the ground floor overlooking the water’s edge. It’s a quick Uber to the hip Gaslamp District and the quaint shops of Coronado, but guests may not want to venture far, as onsite SD Adventures offers water sports like paddle boarding, electric boat rentals and larger boat charters to see the seals and whales who call this harbor home.
Making History
Acclaimed architect Louis Sullivan, along with lead architect Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the striking Hotel St. Louis, Autograph Collection, which became an instant Midwestern landmark when it opened in 1893. Now part of Autograph Collection, it’s been beautifully restored in “hip-meets-historic” fashion. The Art Deco stained-glass ceiling in the two-story lobby is a favorite photo spot and sets the tone for something different. Dance the night away under black-tie-worthy crystal chandeliers in the elegant ballroom, or gather around the rooftop pool deck, which becomes an after-dark hotspot, Form Skybar, come nightfall. Guests will appreciate the plush guest rooms, onsite spa and fitness center, and wedding couples can get Marriott Bonvoy points on everything from the room block to the reception menu.
Unexpectedly Easy
Sheraton Tucson Hotels and Suites is located in East Tucson where the urban location means you’re convenient to downtown, and a quick drive to hiking and biking in Saguaro National Park. The hotel is built around a central courtyard and outdoor pool, sure to be a gathering space for families, who will also appreciate the suite-style rooms. Its onsite event center, called The Venue, has two ballrooms. The larger Catalina ballroom is designed in neutral shades of silver and gray, and the portable stage means you can customize the room for events up to 400 guests. Make sure to save time for a photo shoot at the Tucson Botanical Garden, less than two miles away.
Artsy Ambiance
Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte is an acclaimed boutique hotel in the heart of Uptown. The decor is an interior designer’s dream, with striking white marble, high-impact murals, one-of-a-kind furnishings and accents in black, white and red. Treat your bridal party to some pampering at the onsite Poseidon Spa. Hold an outdoor event under white tenting and jet-black chandeliers in the chic Bohemian Garden, or go for old-world opulence in the Queen’s Ballroom, with its stunning, blue-accented crystal chandeliers. There are multiple restaurants and bars within walking distance, but don’t miss the elegant Mico Restaurant and rooftop lounge Búho Bar, both inspired by the flavors and style of Argentina.
Location, Location, Location
Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk is a destination hotel in River North, with an ideal location on the river and just a block from Navy Pier and Michigan Avenue. With 1,218 rooms and 125,000 square feet of event space (including the largest ballroom in the city), the hotel’s award-winning culinary team and onsite planners can handle anything you need. But it’s not all about big; Sheraton Grand also has several event spaces for smaller weddings, featuring river or Lake Erie views. The rooms are fresh off of a renovation, and summer wedding guests will love people-watching on the riverside outdoor terrace at Chicago Burger Company or digging into T-bones at Shula’s Steak House all year long.
River Renovation
Situated in the vibrant core of downtown San Antonio, the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter stands as an optimal haven for your urban destination wedding on the iconic River Walk. Take your wedding festivities to the next level by including a customized rehearsal dinner or a delightful morning-after brunch at Tributary, showcasing locally-sourced culinary delights and menus thoughtfully crafted by the hotel’s award-winning chefs. Mere steps away from the hotel, revel in the vibrant urban ambiance as the River Walk unfolds a panorama of dining, shopping, nightlife, and historical attractions that define the picturesque city. Explore the unique possibilities of a one-of-a-kind wedding experience, fusing the excitement of urban living with the allure of San Antonio. Guests can venture out to hotspots like The Alamo or simply hop on the river to learn why this is the number one attraction in the state of Texas.
Big Lights, Small City
A smaller city can offer convenience at a lower price than larger metropolises. Take the Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel. In the heart of the Midwest, it’s convenient for guests flying in from both coasts, and it’s located right downtown, just a 10-minute taxi from John Glenn Airport. Wedding couples can take that savings and use it on top-notch cuisine and drinks at their reception, and the late-night crowd will find plenty of action in the neighboring bar district. In their downtime, guests can kick back at the 4th floor rooftop pool, or easily walk to the Scioto Mile Fountain, the city’s riverfront centerpiece (celebrating a $15 million makeover in 2024), as well as museums, restaurants, and everything else downtown Columbus has to offer.
Downtown in the Desert
Opened in 2021, the AC Hotel Phoenix is part of Marriott Bonvoy’s European-inspired brand. It embraces its urban setting with an indoor-outdoor lobby bar overlooking the revitalized Arizona Center. The vibe is sleek and modern, fitting the hotel’s European roots. The Sonoran Ballroom accommodates up to 300 guests and embraces the Southwestern sunset via floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests can gather for cocktails and small plates at the AC Lounge after a day spent exploring the city’s sights, then head out for more at one of downtown Phoenix’s many restaurants and bars.
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