Six of the most photogenic cities to host a wedding in the world
A wedding is a momentous occasion in anyone's life. Beyond expressing your love for your partner in front of family and friends, this special celebration provides an opportunity to create everlasting memories through photos.
It’s fair to say that the Americas are home to countless beautiful venue options, but some cities simply excel at effortlessly creating the perfect backdrop for your album. From spectacular coastlines to vibrant streetscapes and historic landmarks, the following six cities offer stunning scenery that will make your wedding snaps glow for years to come. Could one of these photogenic places be the perfect setting for you to say "I do"?
San Diego, California
There’s plenty to love about the sunny cityscape of San Diego for brides and grooms-to-be. Known best perhaps for its beautiful beaches and warm climate, this Golden State gem is in fact one of the sunniest cities in America, meaning even weddings in the depths of winter are still likely to be showered with the city’s golden glow.
To make the most of the gorgeous conditions seen here throughout the year (and to make it easier for your photographer to document the region’s natural charm), why not host an outdoor wedding? Better still, lean fully into the local vibe and take to the sandy shores for an authentically San Diegan boho-style celebration. From La Jolla Cove to Encinitas, the city has a collection of flawless beaches that could’ve been plucked from a Hollywood movie set. However you choose to enjoy it, San Diego certainly belongs on your shortlist of wedding destinations.
2. Cabo, Mexico
Cabo San Lucas, better known simply as Cabo, is situated on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. The resort city is best known for attracting sun-seeking tourists and beach-goers, but there’s also a romantic side to this enchanting destination.
What better place to celebrate your love story than at Playa del Amor? Complete with dramatic Pacific views and soft, secluded sands, this sultry stretch of shoreline is one of the city’s most renowned beauty spots. If you’re looking to get back to nature and tie the knot in your own little corner of paradise, Cabo is definitely a city worth considering.
3. New York City
For a wedding worthy of appearing on the silver screen, is there a more suitable city the world over than New York? The Big Apple remains one of the most popular cities for proposals in the States, and lots of couples decide to double down with a memorable Manhattan marriage – and it’s not hard to see why. There are both indoor and outdoor venues across the state to rival some of the best found anywhere in the country.
While many just think of New York City, there are some great hidden gems to celebrate your wedding day at like this small elopement along The Hudson River in Cornwall on Hudson.
4. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s beauty and allure doesn’t diminish with the changing of the seasons – it’s a city that sparkles all year round. So, whenever you’re planning to get married, the Windy City will be ready and waiting – with its own brand of natural charm – to provide the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos. There are endless photo opportunities across the city, from waterfront skyscraper views to the lush greenery of Millenium Park.
Something of a mecca for fans of the blues, music is sure to play a pivotal part in any wedding here. Picture posing with the love of your life as you’re serenaded by a world-class wedding band playing your favorite song, as the setting sun – with the day’s final shards of light reflecting off the skyscrapers – frames your once-in-a-lifetime snaps. Where else would you rather be?
5. Los Angeles, California
Back in the Golden State, Los Angeles is a city with endless possibilities, making it one of the best places to host your dream wedding. From beautiful parks and beaches to stunning historic landmarks, LA truly has it all.
With the world-famous Hollywood sign as a backdrop, your wedding photos are guaranteed to be breathtaking. Naturally, you’ll want to capture as much of the city’s beauty in your wedding photos as possible; the only problem is you’ll be spoiled for choice, and a wedding day isn’t long enough to capture it all. So pick a favorite spot or two and ask your photographer to work their magic at a site that’s special to you.
Perhaps you’d like to take a walk on the wild side and get some snaps out in nature, in which case there’s a catalog of perfectly picturesque parks dispersed throughout the city. From Runyon Canyon to the world-famous Griffith Park, invite your guests to one of the city’s green spaces for some wedding photos that’ll look as beautiful in 50 years’ time as they do today.
6. Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale’s seemingly boundless landscapes offer some of the most breathtaking views anywhere in the country. With an unforgettable scene of imposing mountains and rugged wilderness, allow Scottsdale’s natural beauty to do all the heavy lifting in providing the perfect backdrop for your wedding photoshoot. Best of all, there’s very little chance there’ll be any rain on your parade here; the city enjoys more than 330 days of sunshine each year.
The state of Arizona is known for its gorgeous (but equally challenging) hiking trails, and these paths often lead you to the best views. However, we get that you might not fancy taking on one of these testing tracks to savor the vistas in your wedding day finery. Fortunately, you don’t have to walk far to find yourself in wallpaper-worthy surroundings here. In fact, there’s another photo opportunity seemingly everywhere you turn in this spectacular corner of the country.
A metropolitan matrimony
A skilled wedding photographer can bring the best out of any venue – but it never hurts to have a little helping hand. If you’re looking to perform your nuptials in the most photogenic surroundings possible, add these six stunning cities to your shortlist.