Eight of the best wedding and reception locations on the East Coast:
(1) Fort Fisher, NC – Fort Fisher Historical Site
Fort Fisher, located south of Kure Beach, North Carolina, has two gazebos overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Both are great for smaller weddings, less than 50 people. The most romantic times for ceremonies are dawn and dusk. The sunrise and sunsets there among the historic hills and trees is beautiful. There are no buildings to get out of the rain, just an open area under the trees to have your reception. There are grills and picnic tables already set up, but you will probably want to bring more. For your application to use one of the gazebos, please visit the Historical Site’s office.
(2) Wilmington, NC – Airlie Gardens
Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, North Carolina has 67 acres of the most picturesque flowers, plants, trees, and lakes. Although there is a church at Airlie, it is not available for weddings. Springtime is the best time for a wedding in the Gardens because the flowers are in bloom and it’s also not too hot and sticky. There are no reception areas at Airlie Gardens, but this site is within 2 miles of some of the best seafood restaurants in Wrightsville Beach that host wedding receptions. Airlie Gardens books ceremonies 18 months in advance.
You can have a gazebo wedding in White Point Gardens in Battle Park, a magnificent and historical Charleston park right on the water. The park is full of live oaks draped with Spanish moss. It’s surroundings are old historic Charleston dwellings and businesses. For weddings in the park, you are limited to 25 people including you and the groom, and you have to get a permit from the City of Charleston.
The Forsyth Park Inn is a bed and breakfast overlooking Savannah’s Forsyth Park.Forsyth Park is said to be the most beautiful park in Georgia! The Inn features elegant and extravagant decor indoors and outdoors. Your garden wedding will definitely feel intimate and relaxed as you are surrounded by beautiful landscape and fountains. The Queen Anne – style Inn has 11 rooms for housing your wedding guests. The Forsyth Park Inn would make a great location for small weddings.
(5) Outer Banks, NC – Mallards Marsh
Mallards Marsh is a plain building on the outside, but a large open area on the inside. At the Mallards Marsh, your wedding guests will enjoy views of the 22-acres of sound and wildlife adjoining the building. For your reception, Mallards Marsh’s floor plan allows for the dining room to open to the dance floor. There is a wooden walkway going from the main building to a unique glass chapel – perfect for having your wedding outdoors but still be sheltered from the elements. Mallards Marsh wedding packages are listed here.
(6) East Coast Yacht Cruises
Have the wedding of your dreams on one of the East Coast Yacht Cruises boats. They offer all-inclusive packages on certain yachts. A 4.5 hour cruise aboard a Manhattan East Coast Yacht for 75 guests is $13,000 but includes a wedding coordinator, DJ, invitations, ice sculpture, wine and champagne, open bar, and wedding cake just to name a few! For a full list of their wedding Yacht Cruises click here.
Get married at Disney World! Disney allows you to choose from one of four types of weddings: wishes collection which is the most elaborate, couture collection, escape collection for less than 18 guests, and a cruise collection which is obviously a ceremony on a Disney cruise ship. From the elegant decorations to friendly atmosphere, Disney World can give you and your groom a truly magical ceremony! You can find a complete description of each collection Disney offers here.
(8) Coconut Grove, FL – The Grove Isle Hotel & Spa
The Grove Isle Hotel provides the perfect background for your wedding. It is on it’s own private island which overlooks the Biscayne Bay. At the Grove Isle Hotel, you can choose which indoor facility you want for your ceremony, or you can have it outdoors. Outdoors would be pretty at sunset! There are several ballrooms and banquet rooms to choose from for your reception too. The views of Miami from this hotel are amazing. To get an example of the Grove Isle Hotel & Spa’s wedding package for 30 people or less you can visit their site here.
