20 Best Beach Wedding Venues in the U.S.

A groom in a black suit and a bride in a white wedding dress carrying a pink bridal bouquet at a beach wedding venue. — Photo by Amber Gress

So you’ve decided you want a toes-in-the-sand wedding, but now you need to sort out where to host the celebration. Luckily, those who live in the U.S. don't have to go too far to find a beach wedding venue that will serve as the perfect backdrop to the waterfront wedding of your dreams.

From seaside hotels in off-the-beaten-path towns to spacious waterfront venues in sunny locales, we’ve gathered the best spots to host your perfect beach wedding. Read on to explore some of the best beach wedding venues in the continental U.S.

01 of 20

Mauna Kea Resort: Hawaii

An infinity pool by the beach with palm trees at The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort in Hawaii — Courtesy of The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort

Thanks to Hawaii’s perfect weather, couples are not restricted to a specific wedding season, and Mauna Kea Resort, comprised of the iconic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, offers wedding venues on some of the island’s most sought-after beaches. They host everything from intimate toes-in-the-sand elopements to wedding celebrations fit for royalty. The resort’s twelve exquisite venues feature breathtaking views of the Kohala Coast and include the famed Third Tee at Mauna Kea Golf Course, Manta Ray Lookout, Luau Grounds, and Vista Decks, among others. The resort’s seven culinary outlets and extensive activities and amenities include a Manta Ray night snorkel, spa treatments, immersive cultural programs like lei making, and hula lessons—just to name a few.

02 of 20

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa: Florida

Yellow umbrellas on the beach by the ocean at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa — Courtesy of Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa

Sandestin, Florida, is the ideal destination wedding location for beach-loving brides and grooms who want their wedding to be the perfect combination of relaxation and celebration. Located directly on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa showcases the area’s stunning natural beauty in a number of different venue options, including the poolside deck surrounded by palm trees. With six seasonal on-site dining options and a full-service catering team, a range of guest accommodations, an award-winning spa, direct beachfront access, and a variety of indoor and outdoor event venue options, the resort creates the ideal all-encompassing wedding venue. Better yet, a full wedding itinerary is customizable to fit the specific interests of each group—from a welcome beach bonfire to a private bridal brunch in the spa lounge.

03 of 20

Alila Marea Beach Resort: California

View of beach and ocean at beach venue Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas in California — Courtesy of Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas

Nestled on the cliffs of Encinitas overlooking the vast Pacific, Alila Marea Beach Resort is a stunning place to say "I do" in the Sunshine State. With the sound of waves crashing, the sun shining down, and the ocean breeze around every corner, it's easy to see why this venue—only about 30 minutes from San Diego—is so popular. With room for up to 200 guests, couples can choose from tying the knot in a stately ballroom near the beach, an ocean-view bluff, or an open-air terrace by the beach.

04 of 20

Navy Beach: New York

Montauk is a sought-after destination for beach weddings on the East Coast, and we understand why. There are endless beaches, hotels, and restaurants in the area, but Navy Beach remains a top venue for a beach wedding. The space offers romantic and intimate atmospheres with a 200-foot private beach venue area for the ceremony, and a bar and dining room for rehearsal dinners or after parties.

05 of 20

Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa: Florida

View of ocean and beach at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, a beach wedding venue — Courtesy of Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa

Situated right on the beach, the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa brings oceanfront luxury and weddings to the next level with oceanfront wedding venues, the island’s only oceanfront beach cabanas, and open-air restaurants with views of the Atlantic. In addition to 309 guestrooms and suites, the resort has six venues, including a new Italian restaurant, Polpo, a new beachfront wedding lawn, and more.

06 of 20

128 South: North Carolina

The charming port city of Wilmington, North Carolina, is a popular place to get hitched by the beach. 128 South includes everything from indoor and outdoor ceremonies and receptions, a second-floor mezzanine inside, and a deck overlooking the water. For out-of-town guests, there are nearby accommodations like the Stemmerman's Inn.

07 of 20

The Citadel Beach Club: South Carolina

Situated on the Isle of Palms is this beautiful hidden gem, ideal for a beachside wedding. The Citadel Beach Club is a can't-miss venue, where couples can host ceremonies and receptions either on the oceanfront lawn or right on the sand. For a customizable experience, couples can choose from a list of caterers and bar providers, to ensure every aspect of the wedding embodies their personalities.

08 of 20

The Cavalier: Virginia

A beachfront wedding ceremony at The Cavalier in Virginia Beach, Virginia — Courtesy of The Cavalier

For a special Virginia Beach wedding, the historic Cavalier Resort combines beach luxury and historic charm. The resort offers 40 indoor and outdoor wedding venues, from the beach to beautiful gardens and ballrooms. The resort has a dedicated wedding planning team to ensure every couple’s special day goes as planned. The resort comprises two different hotels (with a third opening in 2023), so there are plenty of rooms for guests, and six award-winning restaurants, as well as the only U.S. distillery located inside a luxury hotel.

09 of 20

Greyfield Inn: Georgia

Greyfield Inn is a family-run hotel located on Cumberland Island, the largest and southernmost island of Georgia's Golden Isles. Greyfield Inn offers all-inclusive wedding packages and a dreamy ceremony location in one of the most pristine oceanside settings in the Southeast. The secluded island provides an idyllic gathering place for friends and family, and the venue specializes in smaller, intimate wedding weekends where the bride, groom, and guests receive undivided attention from the staff.

10 of 20

Grand Hotel of Cape May: New Jersey

New Jersey may come as a surprise for a beach wedding destination, but Cape May’s Grand Hotel is a top option. With 360 views of the beach and space for up to 440 guests, there are endless ways to celebrate your marriage here. For venue options, couples can host guests at the charming Wicker Room or the Victorian-style Crystal Room. For outdoor ceremonies, there’s the option to say “I do” on the sand or on the spacious sundeck overlooking the water. The best part? They offer all-inclusive wedding packages that cover everything from food and drink to event coordination.

11 of 20

Casa Marina Key West, Curio Collection by Hilton: Florida

An beach wedding ceremony by the ocean at Casa Marina Key West in Florida — Courtesy of Casa Marina Key West

Sitting on Key West’s largest private beach (a whopping 1,100 feet), the Casa Marina Key West caters to those who want an idyllic beach wedding. With its wide-open stretch of sand as the main backdrop, Casa Marina features elegant Spanish-inspired architecture and easy access to all that Key West has to offer. The property’s ocean-view suites boast a furnished, walk-out lanai patio for exclusive entry to the pools, as well as beach access, and—most importantly—the oceanfront bar.

12 of 20

Montage Laguna Beach: California

Flower gardens overlooking the ocean at Montage Laguna Beach in California — Courtesy of Montage Laguna Beach

Surrounded by the vast Pacific Ocean, Montage Laguna Beach is the ideal SoCal location for an unforgettable beach wedding. Perched high atop a striking coastal bluff, this resort offers 20,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor event space. Two of the property's venues, the Ocean Lawn and the Pacific Lawn, both feature expansive stretches of grass with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and can host up to 300 guests. The venue offers couples the opportunity to customize the menu alongside the resort’s Executive Chef to form a personalized menu of California-inspired cuisine made with fresh organic ingredients from small family farms and rare artisanal producers.

13 of 20

Canoe Place Inn & Cottages: New York

Woman looking out from her balcony at the Canoe Place Inn & Cottages in New York — Courtesy of Canoe Place Inn & Cottages

Canoe Place Inn & Cottages, a Long Island landmark in the waterfront hamlet of Hampton Bays, is a lush, canal-front enclave featuring luxury accommodations, local cuisine, and an iconic grand ballroom. Rich with history yet re-imagined with modern events and weddings in mind, Canoe Place is the ideal venue for exchanging vows on the coast of New York. Featuring a grand ballroom with soaring ceilings (it seats up to 300 guests for dinner), a separate window-wrapped pavilion adjacent to the ballroom, and two striking tented spaces for outdoor events, Canoe Place is primed to be the go-to venue for weddings of all kinds and guest lists of all sizes. The on-site dining services, run by Relais & Château Chef Ülfet Ralph, use seasonal ingredients and local flavors that showcase the region’s best.

14 of 20

The Oceanview Nahant: Massachusetts

If you’re looking for a beach venue in Massachusetts, The Oceanview Nahant has dreamy views of the Atlantic and a totally private booking experience. While the space can accommodate events with up to 220 guests, they only host one wedding at a time, giving the couple and their guests a completely exclusive experience. Venue spaces include the ballroom, the cocktail lounge, and numerous outdoor terraces. An in-house catering team does everything from plated dinners and clambakes to late-night s’mores.

15 of 20

The Chapel at Seaside: Florida

Designed by architect Scott Merrill, The Chapel at Seaside in Florida has served as an architectural landmark in the community for almost 20 years. The 68-foot bell tower marks the highest point in Seaside and serves as a beacon of spiritual unity throughout the community. The Chapel courtyard, also called The Grove, sits to the east of the Chapel. With the canopy of trees, strung bistro lighting, and several benches, it is a great space to relax before dinner is served on the lawn.

16 of 20

Sound View Greenpoint: New York

Beach wedding ceremony with wooden chairs and floral decorations at New York beach wedding venue Sound Venue — Photo by Amber Gress Photography

This sweet North Fork beachside venue is the place to be for anyone looking for an incredibly romantic location on Long Island to host nuptials. With space for up to 250 guests, couples can choose to wed on the private quarter-mile beach and host a reception in a number of stunning spaces on-site, like the Halyard Restaurant or the intimate Library.

17 of 20

The Wauwinet: Massachusetts

A sunset view from the lawn at The Wauwinet, a beach wedding venue on Nantucket Island. — Courtesy of The Wauwinet

Surely one of the most stunning views in all of New England, this iconic luxury hotel nestled on the northeast shore of Nantucket Island offers spaces, replete with jaw-dropping beachfront views, for both intimate weddings and elopements or larger wedding celebrations of up to 200 guests (a hotel buyout is a perfect fit for a larger affair).

18 of 20

Water's Edge Resort & Spa: Connecticut

With opportunities for ceremonies along the edge of the Long Island Sound and receptions in grand ballrooms, hosting your marriage celebration at Water's Edge Resort & Spa is ideal for those in search of a nautical beachside venue. With four different wedding packages available, this property delivers on all fronts, from stunning views to top-tier service and delicious catering options.

19 of 20

Chatham Bars Inn: Massachusetts

Waterfront view of beachfront wedding venue, Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod — Courtesy of Chatham Bars Inn

A tried-and-true New England institution, Chatham Bars Inn is a beautiful place to say "I do" along the shores of Cape Cod. Couples can host their toes-in-the-sand ceremony on the property's private beach and then dance the night away in one of the multiple reception spaces. The property's wedding service team really shines in the versatility of wedding styles, hosting everything from black tie events under huge tents on the oceanfront lawn to beachside clambake receptions.

20 of 20

Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

It's hard to imagine a more idyllic beachfront wedding venue than Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. Not are you only in Hawaii, a veritable paradise, but this ultra-romantic property goes above and beyond in the event planning department. Couples can count on peerless wedding services throughout the planning process, as well as an unforgettable beach wedding experience, with access to private spaces like Plumeria Point to the sweeping oceanfront lawn or one of the elegant ballrooms on-site.

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