11 Gorgeous Intimate Wedding Venues
Your guest list is on the smaller side, but you still want an unforgettable locale? These intimate wedding venues fit the bill
Courtesy of Château du Sureau
1 of 11 Courtesy of Château du Sureau
Château du Sureau, Oakhurst, CA
Located near Yosemite National Park ( ideal for a wedding weekend full of fun activities for your guests), this 5-star, 10-bedroom, 9-acre property is part of the Relais & Châteaux collection. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, the sprawling Estate by the Elderberries, of which Château du Sureau is a part, also includes the five-diamond Erna’s Elderberry House Restaurant, Spa du Sureau, and the private two-bedroom Villa Sureau. The property oozes undeniable Old World charm, and couples can choose from four venues that are all perfect for intimate celebrations, depending on their wedding theme and guest count.
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Courtesy of Desert Botanical Garden
2 of 11 Courtesy of Desert Botanical Garden
Steele Herb Garden at Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ
Lush greenery may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of hot and dry Phoenix, but the city’s Desert Botanical Garden has exactly that. And while couples may choose from romantic open-air pavilions, scenic courtyards, and even an amphitheater as a backdrop for their most special day, the enchanting Steele Herb Garden will take your breath away. With killer views of the mountains (and gorgeous sunsets), the venue, which can accommodate up to 75 people, feels incredibly private as it is surrounded by lavish flora. Bonus: The refreshing smell of sage and lavender permeates the venue and creates a truly magical feeling.
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Courtesy of Dimitri and Sandra Photography/A White Orchid Wedding
3 of 11 Courtesy of Dimitri and Sandra Photography/A White Orchid Wedding
The White Orchid Beach House, Makena, HI
Hawai’i is one of the most popular states to get hitched in and for good reason—white-sand beaches, jaw-dropping sunsets, and beautiful weather, to name a few. And sure, there are a lot of great resorts where you can host your wedding, but it can also feel like a public event with so many resort guests around you. That’s why we love the White Orchid Beach House—it is the complete opposite of your typical Hawaiian resort. Nestled along the southern coastline of Maui in the remote area of Makena, this private beach house is the perfect example of Old Hawai’i at its finest and most chic. The coast is lined with coconut trees, and the lush tropical garden, only steps away from the Pacific, is filled with fragrant florals. Have your ceremony and reception here at sunset for a truly unforgettable island experience.
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Courtesy of The Wickaninnish Inn
4 of 11 Courtesy of The Wickaninnish Inn
The Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, B.C.
Have your fairy-tale wedding among ancient forests, windswept beaches, and the unspoiled nature of Tofino at the award-winning Wickaninnish Inn, a member of the Relais & Châteaux collection. As the only resort on the idyllic Chesterman Beach, it offers its guests privacy and magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean. Tucked away at the western end of the Wickaninnish Inn’s property is Shell Beach, named for its finely crushed shells. It is surrounded by tidal rocks where shorebirds often rest, and bald eagles can occasionally be seen flying overhead. This pristine venue can accommodate up to 60 guests and is available for private events from mid-May through September.
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Tina Larkin
5 of 11 Tina Larkin
Taos Goji Farm and Eco Lodge, San Cristobal, NM
Throw the rustic countryside wedding of your dreams at the beautiful and historic (Aldous Huxley lived and wrote in one of the cabins) Taos Goji Farm, nestled in the Sangre de Cristo mountains 11 miles north of Taos. Seat your guests on hay bales or barnwood benches while you exchange your vows and enjoy the idyllic sight of farm animals (which include two alpacas and their offspring) in the background. The venue consists of 40 acres of scenic land and a Goji berry farm. Celebrate your nuptials in the indoor café, a former Trading Post, that features exposed wood beams. Depending on the size of your guest list, you can have most, if not all, guests stay onsite for a truly intimate experience. The property can house around 40 people altogether, between ten historic cabins, ranging from studio to three-bedroom, as well as two glamping tipis.
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Courtesy of Hacienda Cerritos
6 of 11 Courtesy of Hacienda Cerritos
Hacienda Cerritos, Baja California, Mexico
Perched on a bluff overlooking Cerritos Beach (a surfer’s paradise), Hacienda Cerritos is a private, stunning property perfect for a destination wedding. The colonial-style house is decorated with rustic wooden Spanish furnishings and features 13 bedrooms, a pool with a palapa bar overlooking the Pacific, four Jacuzzis, and three large terraces. Oh, there’s also a helicopter-landing park if that’s your preferred method of transportation (you’ll make quite the wedding entrance). The interior yard garden, with its arched entrances surrounded by plants and flowers, is perfect for saying your vows, while the pool area, with its magnificent ocean views, makes for an unforgettable reception setting.
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Courtesy of Male’ana Gardens
7 of 11 Courtesy of Male’ana Gardens
Male’ana Gardens, Oahu, HI
Have the perfect small Hawaiian wedding among lush greenery and over 300 varieties of plants while being only steps away from Kailua Beach. Male’ana Gardens is an intimate and peaceful setting that can host up to 24 people. Exchange your vows in the privacy of the garden and then celebrate with your closest friends and relatives in the cabana surrounded by fragrant plumeria, coconut palms, and vibrant shower trees. Owner Cheri Brazwell says that the venue only hosts a handful of weddings per month so they can ensure impeccable service and preserve the lush vegetation on the property.
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John Crozier
8 of 11 John Crozier
TreeHouse Point, Fall City, WA
Dreaming of an enchanted forest-themed wedding? TreeHouse Point, located only 22 miles east of downtown Seattle, not only offers four dreamy acres of towering trees and lush greenery, but also a collection of six real treehouses (yes, you can stay overnight!) that will make you feel like you are in a fairy tale. And the best part is that you don’t have to share the venue with anyone—you get it all to yourself and your guests for 22 hours when you book the venue. There are two ceremony sites: the indoor cedar-lined Pond Room (also available for receptions for up to 40 people) and a gorgeous outdoor lawn nestled among the trees.
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Courtesy of Woodinville Lavender Fields
9 of 11 Courtesy of Woodinville Lavender Fields
Woodinville Lavender Fields, Redmond, WA
What could be more romantic and picturesque than getting married among fields of fragrant, purple lavender plants as far as the eye can see? And you don’t have to jet off to the South of France to find this dreamy location. Situated in the Sammamish River Valley just 30 minutes from downtown Seattle, Woodinville Lavender Fields features a covered greenhouse suited for 50 people and a stunning lawn next to the fields that’s perfect for a party of 80. Really, with such a stunning backdrop, who needs a photo booth?
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Birdsong Wedding Photography
10 of 11 Birdsong Wedding Photography
L’Auberge de Sedona, A Destination Hotel, Sedona, AZ
This award-winning luxury resort nestled among the scenic red rocks on the banks of Oak Creek makes for quite the unforgettable wedding setting. The property’s Intimate and Elopement Wedding Packages are crafted for two to 29 guests and include flowers, a photography session, a four- or six-course dinner menu, and a champagne toast. And of course, in Sedona, it’s all about the vistas.With unobstructed views of Snoopy Rock, L’Auberge’s SpiritSong Terrace is an ideal location to exchange vows and enjoy the breathtaking backdrop.
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Loveridge Photography
11 of 11 Loveridge Photography
Biddle Ranch Vineyard, San Luis Obispo, CA
Contemporary meets rustic in this small, picturesque vineyard located in one of the most fruitful wine regions in the country—Edna Valley, just outside of San Luis Obispo. Olive trees, vines, and sweeping views of the Santa Lucia mountain range make for an unforgettable setting for your nuptials. Biddle Ranch’s outdoor ceremony and reception venue includes a modern fireplace and a real wood-fired pizza oven, ideal for a late-night snack option. The 3,100-square-foot vineyard house has four bedrooms and can accommodate up to 12 people.
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