2023’s Best Cities for Outdoor Weddings
Which cities are best for throwing al fresco nuptials?
Lawn Love has got you covered with 2023’s Best Cities for Outdoor Weddings.
With the outdoor wedding season finally here, Lawn Love compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on eight categories. They looked at the quality of outdoor wedding venues, access to wedding planners, and sunshine, among 36 total metrics.
Plan a beautiful ceremony in the great outdoors with the help of Lawn Love rankings below. To learn how they ranked the cities, see the methodology.
No. 1: Charleston, South Carolina | Overall score: 51.71Venue Access: 1Venue Quality: 45
Affordability: 175
Wedding Look: 11
Accommodations: 6
Local tips: Conveniently located downtown, the historic Gadsden House features three private courtyards for a stunning outdoor ceremony. Cannon Green is another downtown venue with a lush outdoor courtyard and exquisite culinary options.
Photo credit: GPA Photo Archive | Flickr | Public Domain
No. 2: Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Overall score: 51.35Venue Access: 10Venue Quality: 119
Professional Services: 1
Wedding Look: 5
Accommodations: 3
Local tips: Get married by the sea with the convenience of hotel accommodations at Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach. In the nearby town of Davie, you can exchange your vows under the canopy of a banyan tree at Flamingo Gardens.
Photo credit: Kelly | Pexels | Pexels License
No. 3: Orlando, Florida | Overall score: 48.10Venue Access: 12Affordability: 153
Wedding Look: 3
Accommodations: 1
Climate: 110
Local tips: Have an unforgettable wedding day with gorgeous gardens and lakefront scenery at The Cottage on Lake Fairview. Plan a rustic ceremony at Wanderlust Okto — minutes from the airport — featuring a tranquil pond and abundant natural space with wildlife.
Photo credit: M-DESIGNZ | Pexels | Pexels License
No. 4: Savannah, Georgia | Overall score: 47.33Venue Access: 2Affordability: 170
Wedding Look: 15
Accommodations: 2
Climate: 186
Local tips: Get married in the largest private gardens within Savannah’s Historic District at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. Plan your event on an expansive campus with an on-site chapel at Bethesda Academy.
Photo credit: Nkon21 | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0
No. 5: Hollywood, Florida | Overall score: 46.93Venue Quality: 30Affordability: 66
Professional Services: 5
Reception Needs: 11
Accommodations: 4
Local tips: Celebrate your love on the beach by planning an oceanfront wedding at the Diplomat Beach Resort, which offers packages for Indian weddings and kosher events. Another oceanside option is Hollywood Beach Marriott.
Photo credit: Tamanoeconomico | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0
Save the data: Key insights
The gist
Several cities in Florida and California shine at the top, with plenty of access to venues and wedding-related services. These cities stand alongside dreamy destinations like Charleston, South Carolina (No. 1), Savannah, Georgia (No. 4), and New Orleans (No. 10).
Some smaller cities and suburbs are not so great for nature-themed nuptials, such as Miramar, Florida (No. 197), Newark, New Jersey (No. 198), and North Las Vegas, Nevada (No. 199), alongside West Valley City, Utah, in last place. These cities generally lack Venue Access, high Venue Quality, Accommodations, and Wedding Look resources.
Standout stats
Darling destinations: Vow your love in charming Charleston (No. 1), which has the best Venue Access for outdoor weddings, followed by Savannah (No. 4), Honolulu (No. 15), New Orleans (No. 10), St. Louis (No. 14), and Las Vegas (No. 13).
Sunny ceremonies: Unsurprisingly, California cities have the best climate for saying “I do” outdoors. While Pasadena (No. 6), Escondido (No. 8), and Glendale (No. 9) fare well overall, some Golden State cities like Modesto (No. 191) and Fremont (No. 185) land near the bottom due to lack of venues, yard space, parks, and accommodations.
