I was standing on a porch in Highlands last fall, watching the fog roll down over the mountains while a bride got her veil pinned in by her mom. Nobody was rushing. There was coffee going cold on a side table and somebody’s grandfather telling a story in the next room. And I remember thinking: THIS is why people travel for a wedding. They want a wedding that feels like an experience, not just a date on the calendar.
After 18 years and hundreds of weddings, I’ve gotten to photograph couples in some of the most beautiful corners of the East Coast. And one of the questions I hear most from couples in the early planning stages is a simple one: where should we actually do this?
So I put together a list. These are the places I’d point you toward if you’re dreaming of a destination wedding somewhere along the East Coast from your private estate in the Carolinas all the way up through the Hudson Valley. Some I’ve shot at. Some are on my personal “someday” list. All of them give you that full-weekend experience, where your people fly in, settle in, and stay a while.
Let’s get into it.
Highlands & Cashiers, North Carolina Wedding Venues
If you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you already know I have a soft spot for the mountains of western North Carolina. Highlands and Cashiers sit up at a high elevation, which means cooler air, golden light that lingers, and that gorgeous layered-mountain backdrop in nearly every direction.
A few of my favorites up here:
- Old Edwards Inn & Spa: a beautiful property right in the heart of Highlands. Think: stone terraces, manicured gardens, and a level of service that makes guests feel completely looked after. Here’s what makes a wedding at Old Edwards Inn so magical.
- High Hampton: recently restored and set on a lake with a mountain rising right behind it. This is the kind of place where a whole weekend unfolds without anyone needing to leave.
- Lonesome Valley: a private community tucked beneath dramatic granite cliffs. Quieter, more secluded, and stunning if you want something off the beaten path.
The thing about Highlands and Cashiers is the pace. People slow down up here. And that’s exactly the kind of weekend I love to document.
Having a wedding in Highlands in the Spring? Here are fun things for you to do!
And be sure to check out Meredith & JG’s Highlands wedding at The Farm at Old Edwards!
Palmetto Bluff & The South Carolina Lowcountry Wedding Venues
Palmetto Bluff is one of those places that feels like it was designed for a wedding weekend. You’ll see Spanish moss, the river, the chapel, the inn… and it all flows together. Couples and their guests can spend five days here and never run out of things to do, from boat rides to long dinners under the oaks.
If you want Lowcountry character with the kind of polish that keeps planners and couples coming back, this part of the coast delivers. And of course, Charleston is right up the road if you want city charm woven into the weekend too.
And while you’re at it, take at peek at CC & Chris’ Charleston wedding.
Wedding Venues at The Sea Islands of Georgia
Just south of the Carolinas, the Georgia coast has a kind of grandeur I think more couples should know about.
- The Cloister at Sea Island: This is classic coastal elegance and the kind of place that’s been hosting families for generations, with the service to match.
- Jekyll Island: This one’s a little more historic and understated, with that windswept, live-oak-draped beauty that photographs beautifully in soft light.
These islands give you the ocean without the crowds of a bigger beach town.
Lake Country & North Georgia Wedding Venues
Inland Georgia surprises people. There are two spots worth knowing:
- The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee: A lakeside resort with all the amenities you’d want for a multi-day celebration, plus water views that turn unforgettable at sunset.
- Barnsley Resort: Rolling countryside, historic garden ruins, and a more pastoral, English-countryside feel. Perfect for couples who want something a little unexpected.
Weddings in Virginia Horse Country & Charlottesville
Virginia is having a real moment for weddings, and it makes sense. You get rolling hills, vineyards, and a sense of history that feels grounded without feeling stuffy.
Middleburg, in the heart of Virginia’s horse country, has a handful of resorts and estates that lend themselves beautifully to a weekend stay. And Charlottesville, with the Blue Ridge as a backdrop and wine country all around, has become a favorite for couples who want that countryside-meets-sophistication feel.
Wedding Venues in The Hudson Valley & Upstate New York
Here’s where my list stretches north, and honestly, it’s the region I’m most excited about right now. The Hudson Valley and the Catskills have become one of the most sought-after wedding destinations on the East Coast. With its rolling farmland, old stone estates, design-forward inns, and that particular Northeast light in early fall… you can understand why.
A few that stand out:
- Glenmere Mansion: A Relais & Châteaux Tuscan-style villa on 150 secluded acres. It’s dramatic, romantic, and built for an intimate full-property weekend.
- Cedar Lakes Estate: Cottages, lakes, and a whole property your guests can take over for a few days. It feels like summer camp grew up and got gorgeous.
- Blue Hill at Stone Barns: This one’s for the food-lovers. It’s a working farm with a celebrated kitchen and a setting that’s as beautiful as the meal.
- Gilbertsville Farmhouse: This one is floral-forward, has three-day-weekend energy, and designer lodging right on site.
If you’re dreaming of an East Coast wedding with a little more of a countryside-escape feel, this is the region I’d tell you to look at first.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind for Any Destination Weekend
Wherever you land, a destination wedding asks a little more of the planning process, and a lot of it comes down to the team you build around you. Here are my three biggest tips for planning a destination wedding:
- Bring in a full-service planner early. The best destination weekends I’ve photographed all have one thing in common: a planner who knows the property, the local vendors, and how to make three or more days flow without a hitch.
- Think about your guests’ experience, not just the wedding itself. Welcome dinners, farewell brunches, a little map of things to do are touches that turn a wedding into a weekend people still talk about years later.
- And book your photographer for the whole weekend, not just the wedding. I’m obviously a little biased here, I know. But so much of the story lives in the in-between moments – the rehearsal toast, the late-night laughter, the quiet morning before everything begins. That’s the part you’ll want to look back on.
Ready to Plan Your East Coast Wedding Weekend?
Wherever you’re dreaming of saying “I do” in the Carolina mountains, on the Georgia coast, or a stone estate up north, I’d love to hear about it. I photograph wedding weekends across the East Coast, and I’m always up for a beautiful place I haven’t been yet.If you’re in the early stages and want to talk through your weekend, let’s chat. I’d love to hear where this is taking you.
