15 Best Beach Wedding Venues in the US

Emmy and Holt kissing in front of a colorful floral arch with a beach backdrop — Photo by Erich McVey

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 far to find a beach wedding venue that will serve as the backdrop to the waterfront wedding of your dreams.

From seaside hotels in off-the-beaten-path towns to spacious waterfront venues, 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.

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Mauna Kea Resort: Hawaii

An infinity pool by the beach 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.

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Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa: Florida

Yellow umbrellas on the beach 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 wants 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.

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Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel: California

A wedding ceremony set up with chairs and a floral altar at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, California — Courtesy of Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel

Unsurprisingly, a beachfront location is one of the best settings for a wedding in Southern California. At Loews Santa Monica, couples receive seasoned wedding specialists who work closely to bring the vision to life and will execute every detail. With Santa Monica’s nearby attractions at the venue’s doorstep, along with outdoor-inspired activities to enjoy, guests will be able to explore the neighborhood.

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Navy Beach: Montauk

Montauk is a sought-after destination for beach weddings on the East Coast. There are endless hotels in the area, but Navy Beach remains a top venue for a beachfront 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.

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Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa: Florida

Beachfront at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Florida — 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.

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128 South: North Carolina

The charming port city of Wilmington, North Carolina, is a popular place to get hitched by the beach. The space 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Oceanview of Nahant: Massachusetts

If you’re looking for a beach venue in Massachusetts, The Oceanview of 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.

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The Chapel at Seaside: Florida

Designed by architect Scott Merrill, The Seaside Chapel 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.

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