Wedding Venue Trends: What’s New and Hot in 2024
The place you choose for your destination wedding venue is one of the most important choices you’ll make during your planning. This decision will have the biggest direct impact on your guests and shape their experiences. Every aspect of the venue, from its ambiance to amenities, plays a vital role in crafting a memorable celebration for both you and your guests.
When it comes to trends, we’re loving some of what we’re seeing for 2024. From celebrations saturated in color to the return of the Champagne Tower, couples are personalizing every detail. When it comes to venues, to see what’s new and popular in 2024, read on.
Experiential Events
Guest experience is a priority for many couples, so we’re seeing a focus on what there is to see and do in and around a venue. Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile offers couples and guests a plethora of fun things to do and see during the wedding weekend. From catching a Cubs game at Fenway to sampling the endless nearby restaurants or taking in a show at one of 250 theaters in the area, Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile is at the heart of the action. Planning group excursions such as a boating trip down the Chicago River or a nighttime comedy show at iconic clubs like The Second City, your guests will enjoy more than just your wedding day.
On-site guests can enjoy instructor-led spin classes in the hotel’s skyline fitness center, an immersive craft-cocktail experience at Reviver, or a Mag Mile Suite (complete with its own pool table and floor-to-ceiling windows with magnificent views from every vantage point).
Historical Spaces
History and culture are always on trend when it comes to weaving them into your event. But we’re seeing more couples flock to the doors of hotels that boast a storied past. Hotel Forty Five, Macon, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel in Georgia is one such venue. Originally constructed at only four stories tall in 1923, an eleven-story addition was added in 1941. Many businesses and agencies were housed here until it was completely renovated and turned into a 94-room boutique hotel.
Now couples can enjoy this stunning property and all its vintage design elements in a classic, but intimate wedding celebration. Select from a rooftop ceremony at Hightales Rooftop Bar or a brunch reception at their on-site restaurant, Loom. History unites with the Southern hospitality culture Georgia is known for at Hotel Forty-Five.
Wedded in Wellness
One major trend that is top of mind for many is wellness, and we’re seeing this as a focus for destination wedding venue celebrations, too. Couples are choosing places known for relaxing the mind and body, where a stellar on-site spa is a requirement and fresh, healthy meals are a must.
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage is ideal for couples leaning into this trend as its location, amenities and vibe are on par with a relaxing respite. Experience a weekend of wellness and luxury in the stunning location of Rancho Mirage. Overlooking Coachella Valley, the resort is ensconced in Palm Springs’ natural desert beauty and guests will enjoy taking full advantage of the destination. Boasting year-round sunshine, activities like outdoor yoga, biking, hiking or golf, there’s almost no need for a fitness center.
With wellness top of mind, couples and guests alike will yearn to immerse themselves in a day at the spa. With rejuvenating treatments like “The Art of Wellness” — an 80-minute salt stone and Rose Quartz Crystal massage that includes guided breath work and visualization, Rancho Mirage Spa is truly an escape.
Fresh, healthy menus will surprise and delight your senses with the resort’s gourmet dining options, featuring totally customizable options to accommodate individual wellness goals and dietary preferences.
Welcome Amenities
Welcome bags will always have a place when it comes to destination weddings. But one trend we’re seeing is in-room amenities taking the place of the standard welcome bag. From artisanal cheese boards to chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of bubbly, couples are spoiling guests with beautiful bites sent directly to the room.
Boston Marriott Long Wharf is at the forefront of this trend sending local treats to welcome guests like freshly made cannolis from their neighbor bakery, Modern Pastry. They’ve even got kid-pleasing extras like homemade cookies and milk and a book – Good Night Boston, to prep the littles for their adventures ahead. You can find more standard options as well, such as cheese and charcuterie or seasonal fruit.
When it comes to weddings here, the waterfront is where they shine. With photo ops galore and venues overlooking the water and city views, Boston Marriott Long Warf offers romance and welcome in abundance.
Did we mention they offer a Champagne wall for weddings? That might just be the ultimate welcome amenity.
Unexpected Locales
This year, we can expect the unexpected when it comes to wedding venues. From restaurant receptions to poolside parties and full boutique hotel buyouts, destination couples are ditching the basic ballroom.
Places like Palace Hotel, San Francisco, offer something a little different than the traditional ballroom and we’re here for it. From The French Parlor, a 2,000 square-foot space with glistening chandeliers and inlaid hardwood floors overlooking the famous Garden Court, to the domed glass ceiling of The Sunset Court, these ballrooms are anything but basic. Each one is elegant and interesting, truly the epitome of luxury and romance. Walking through this property, one feels like they’re in Paris, France rather than San Francisco.
The historic hotel, built in 1875, combines Gilded Age pomp and circumstance with modern amenities in an ideal location. In the heart of San Francisco, Palace Hotel provides world-class service from a bygone era. With two fine-dining restaurants and the iconic Pied Piper (which first opened in 1909 and has been serving up craft cocktails ever since), your guests won’t have reason to leave the walls of this storied property.