22 Hidden Gem Wedding Venues for Nuptials Off the Beaten Path

Hidden gem wedding venues make for a stunning event in a secluded locale that none of your guests may have seen before. Hosting your nuptials off the beaten path lets you create memories that are unique to your wedding with plenty of space for décor and room for activities.

We reached out to four expert wedding planners — with experience planning exquisite celebrations in remote locations — to get their advice and recommendations. Melissa Diaz and Deliece Knights-Barnett, Co-Founders of Dhalia Events, offer their expertise, saying, “Secluded venues are perfect for couples who want to hone in on adding personalization and exclusivity to their celebration. If done well, it is unlikely that any other couples would replicate your day in that exact location, which can make your big day even more special and unique.”

Tonya Hoopes, Lead Planner and Designer at Hoopes Events, says, “Hosting your wedding in a location such as an open field with a stunning mountain backdrop, a private beach, or a location where guests can have one-of-a-kind experiences is not only unique — it will also be an unforgettable experience that your guests will talk about for years to come.”

No matter what scene is calling your name — a forest wedding, lake-front nuptials, riverside ambiance, or something in between — browse these 22 secluded wedding venues to find your perfect fit.

*Venues listed in no particular order…

Forest Wedding Venues

The natural elements of a forest wedding are what make this outdoor setting so magical. Say your vows in an enchanted forest with luscious greenery and mountainous views.

Lake Wedding Venues

Lake wedding venues offer picturesque views that make unbeatable backdrops for your wedding weekend festivities. Wed on the waterfront for a romantic and memorable celebration.

Ranch Wedding Venues

Host your wedding festivities at a ranch venue for a breathtaking landscape with an abundance of lush greenery. Take inspiration from our rustic wedding centerpieces guide to add some life to your tablescapes. Each of these hidden gem venues offers vast acreage for a large-scale celebration or seamless event flow.

River Wedding Venues

Whether you are wishing for a wedding venue in the countryside or a hidden gem closer to home, you are bound to find a river venue that matches your aesthetic.

Private Estate Wedding Venues

Celebrate your nuptials in an intimate setting at a private estate venue. Often rich in history, these estates make for a unique experience for your unique love.

Hoopes of Hoopes Events explains, “A secluded venue can make your wedding unique. If you ask many people about where the weddings they have attended were held, their answers will mostly range from hotel ballrooms to a local wedding venue, or maybe even a museum. While these locations are all wonderful, they are not entirely unique. Hosting a wedding in an on off-the-beaten-path location lends itself to a one-of-a-kind experience for the guests.”

Meet Our Panel of Expert Wedding Planners

People Also Ask…

Why does a secluded or off-the-beaten-path wedding venue make for a great experience?

Melissa Diaz and Deliece Knights-Barnett of Dhalia Events explain, “Secluded locations often result in a degree of intimacy not often experienced at standard banquet halls or venues. Apart from not having to share the day, space, or moments with others, couples and their loved ones are more likely to be truly present and engaged with the celebration.

“Some of these hidden gem wedding venues often have no ‘rules.’ This means that from design and flow to use of space, the event will be entirely in the hands of the couple and their wedding production team. Couples can let their ideas flow, no matter how small or grand, and work to execute them in the way that is most authentic to them.”

Tonya Hoopes of Hoopes Events says, “There are so many wonderful wedding venues and locales to choose from. If you are looking for a venue where your wedding will be completely private, a secluded location or off-the-beaten-path venue is a great idea. It allows you and your guests to feel as if you are the only people in the world. It also ensures you will be able to have photos without uninvited or unwelcome guests watching the ceremony or appearing in a photo.

“Often times, hosting your wedding at such a location allows you more flexibility. Most venues have curfews or rules (such as when the florist can set up) that you have to follow. But when you are in a secluded location where others will not be disturbed, you have more flexibility.”

What do I need to know before hosting my wedding in a remote location?

Our expert planners put together a list of key points to remember when planning your remote destination nuptials. First and foremost, hire a wedding planner. “Have someone that will help you think through all the things that you will need to make your remote location a success and allow you to enjoy the time with your family and friends,” says Hoopes.

While secluded venues provide intimacy and romance, couples will need to plan carefully and thoughtfully in the following areas: 

• Accessibility: “Couples will want to make sure that the venue is easily accessible, or, if not, that they are at least providing transportation and logistical cures for any accessibility concerns,” say Diaz and Knights-Barnett of Dhalia Events. Susan Norcross, Owner and Wedding Director at The Styled Bride, agrees, adding, “Make sure there is still accessibility to your location and it can work in any weather situation.”

• Budget: “Producing celebrations in remote locations often requires significant budgets. Couples will need to bring in almost everything needed for the event and also consider the additional costs their vendors will incur to operate in those locations. In most cases, these costs are passed on to the couple,” Diaz and Knights-Barnett of Dhalia Events comment. Hoopes of Hoopes Events says, “While a remote location can be beautiful and unique, it can increase the cost of your wedding. You are bringing in items such as restrooms, tents, water, and generators that you more than likely do not need at an established venue. Vendors might also need to charge more for travel time, accommodations, and extra items needed to make your day runs smoothly.”

• Preparation: “Couples should always have a plan B (nearby and easily executable) should there be an unexpected change to regulations, the space, and any logistical topics,” say Diaz and Knights-Barnett of Dahlia Events.

• Communication: “While the idea of a secluded and remote location may seem romantic for couples, it’s important to give intended guests ample information about the space and any expectations around use of the space during the event. This allows guests to ask any questions ahead of time. In many cases, guest questions can also help couples and their planning teams uncover topics that they might not have otherwise considered,” say Dahlia Events’ Diaz and Knights-Barnett.

• Amenities: Hoopes notes, “Remote locations can, at times, be empty spaces. Which amenities will you need to bring in for the guests and vendors? For the guests, it might be portable restrooms, a tent for inclement weather conditions, a lot of water, a generator, and lighting. For the vendors, you might need to build out a makeshift kitchen and a space for them to take breaks. These are all things you will want to consider when determining if a particular remote location is right for you.”