Top 12 Types of Wedding Venues for Every Style and Budget

Deciding what type of venue to select is one of the most important decisions couples must make when planning a wedding. There are so many wonderful types of wedding venues that finding one that matches your personality, guest count, and budget can make you feel unsure of where to begin. It can also be overwhelming if you already imagine a classic ballroom, an outdoor ceremony, or a bit of a twist to a wedding venue. The good news is there are venue types for every type of wedding to choose from!

In this article, we will help you discover the best type of venue for your “I do” by exploring 12 of the most popular types of wedding venues from stunning estates down to rustic barns.  

1. Banquet Halls and Ballrooms

Banquet halls and hotel ballrooms are some of the most common wedding venue types, and we understand why! These options offer elegance, formality, and convenience, all in one venue. Banquet halls offer the right amenities as they are designed for events. You'll find catering, tables and chairs, lighting, and event staff provided through industry vendors to help make your day even more enjoyable.

Why choose this type of wedding venue?

• Climate-controlled, which is great for any season

• Usually bundled with packages including food, bar, and décor

• Great for high guest-count and formal wedding

Banquet venues are one of the best choices for couples looking for classic wedding venue types and services included when it comes to a wedding venue.

2. Outdoor Gardens

Garden venues are romantic and very scenic, great for spring and summer weddings. Picture ivy-covered arbors, lush greenery, floral backdrops, and the feeling of an open-air ceremony.

Pros

• No more decoration than what is naturally there

• Perfect for daytime weddings and bright photo-ops

• Often have more flexible layout and vendor restrictions

Just keep in mind to have a contingency plan in the event of inclement weather, especially if you are going to an outdoor-only garden.

3. Barns and Farms

Rustic weddings are all the rage, and barns (or farm venues) offer that quaint, peaceful atmosphere. Barns and farm venues are a great fit for couples looking for some nature and a country feel.

Why it’s on the rise:

• Great for DIY or vintage weddings

• Often includes beautiful scenery and an area to be outdoors

• The prices are usually friendlier than luxurious venues

• If you have some string lights, wrinkled wildflowers, and home-cooked meals, you’ll be set.

4. Historic Estates and Mansions

You just can't beat a great historic estate or mansion for timeless charm and stunning architecture. This antique wedding venue is perfect for couples looking for a classic experience and still want to offer something different.

Pros

• Unique ambiance and exquisite decor

• Includes often includes gardens or courtyards for outdoor ceremonies

• Vintage photo spots

• Mansion or estate venues are often appropriate for those who want a traditional wedding feel but with a touch of luxury.

5. Beaches and Waterfront Venues

If you’re fantasizing about a barefoot ceremony with the sound of ocean breezes and crashing waves in the background, it’s going to be tough to compete with beach weddings. "Waterfront" also includes lakeside pavilions as well as ocean-view resorts.

Best suited for

• Casual, breezy weddings

• A small nucleus of guests as a destination celebration

• Sunset ceremony tied into the beauty of nature

Besides being phenomenally scenic, we have to think of tides, permits, and the fickleness of nature when choosing beach venues.

6. Vineyards and Wineries

With stunning views and refined settings, vineyards create a romantic countryside wedding space. The vineyard-style wedding venue offers natural beauty with a sophisticated flair.

Perks of vineyard and winery wedding venues:

• Where you can select from available local wines for your event

• If you get lucky, you’ll also find tasting rooms or wine cellars at the location

• Also, a fun mix of indoor/outdoor flexibility

• The perfect style of wedding venue for relaxed upscale celebrations.

7. Urban Lofts and Industrial Spaces

Modern couples commonly seek out industrial spaces to hold their reception, such as warehouses, lofts, or art galleries. These kit-type style spaces bring minimal clean lines, providing you with a blank canvas to style your wedding with a unique décor and theme.

Why is this venue a good choice?

• High ceilings, exposed brick, spacious layout

• A good idea for contemporary and non-traditional weddings

• Often located downtown, so easy access for your guests

• A great unique choice for couples wanting something edgy or fashion-forward.

8. Churches and Houses of Worship

For couples looking for a traditional wedding venue, churches, synagogues, or temples provide reverence and purpose. This is often important to couples planning on having a separate space for their reception.

Why does this work?

• Good place for a religious or cultural ceremony

• Gives a sense of spirituality to the wedding day and family traditions

• Great architecture and symbolism for ceremony or occasion

Church weddings are somewhat traditional, and from the chapel, it is common to have a separate reception venue such as a hall or hotel.

9. Resorts and All-Inclusive Venues

Resorts are your go-to if you value convenience and destination weddings — all in one. Resorts often offer all services in one venue including guest accommodations, catering, and planning services.

Pros

• On-site accommodations for guests

• Wedding package ready-to-go allows for easy planning

• Decorative and scenic landscapes- beach, mountain, or tropical 

• The cost of a resort venue can be on the higher side but eliminates hassles and delays.

10. Museums and Cultural Centers

Sometimes an alternative, museums, libraries, and theaters can provide a unique and cultural touch to the wedding experience for couples who value arts and culture. 

Pros:

• Ready-made decorative style defined by displays and exhibits

• Often centrally located in municipalities

• Memorable experience visitors

• These venues are often more formal than venues people expect of typical wedding venues

11. Rooftops and Terraces

Urban locations with dramatic views are the best locations for a rooftop wedding venue. Rooftop venues may not always be suitable for privacy purposes, since rooftop events can get distracting from street noise and other climate's noise, Rooftop venues are recommended as they highlight modern urban themes.

Pros 

• Unobstructed panoramic city views

• Unobstructed sunset ceremony or chic evening receptions

• Ideal for smaller weddings, not able most likely not more than 40 guests, meaning unless you are lucky enough to be situated in a structurally tall building.

Pay attention to weather contingencies and noise ordinances when you are scouting rooftops.

12. Homes & Backyards 

Family homes or rented estates are great options if you want a unique event. It is personable, intimate, and cost-effective. If you are renting a home, you don't even need to pay a venue fee.

If this option appeals to you, it is a good type of wedding venue, since you have full creative control when it comes to décor and setup. 

• It permits a relaxed intimate atmosphere.

• It's far more work planning a wedding yourself but can be extremely processed with the youthfulness of creation.

How to Pick a Type of Wedding Venue? 

There are certainly a lot of types of wedding venues to choose from, so how do you narrow it down to a specific type? Start with figuring out your top two or three priorities: style, budget, location, and guest count. Then consider the following questions:

• Are we opting for a traditional-style venue or something modern?

• Are we interested in a formal black tie type affair or a casual outdoor setting?

• What type of scenery are we interested in for our ideal wedding photos?

After you answer these questions, be sure to take into consideration weather, accessibility, and vendor restrictions.

Each wedding venue type has its mood and needs, so try to match your vision along with what the specific venue type offers naturally. If you are specifically interested in classic wedding venues, you may be referring to a ballroom, church, or historical estate. If you prefer a more casual yet creative vibe, you may be more interested in a barn or an art gallery.

Conclusion

Picking the right venue is a pillar of your wedding planning process. The choices of types of wedding venues can feel overwhelming, from rustic barns, romantic gardens, and elegant ballrooms to more modern rooftops, but rest assured there is something out there for every couple, every budget, and every vision.

Whether it’s a traditional venue that is steeped in history or a modern, urban loft that is anything but traditional, be sure to choose a venue that captures your story, and supports the experience you are looking to create. Your venue is more than just a location, it is the staging that will hold millions of memories for years to come.