Image Courtesy of The Ridge Resort at Lake Tahoe

A wedding is a special event filled with precious memories to treasure for years to come. Choosing the top US locations for an outdoor winter wedding proved to be quite challenging as many resorts are available that specialize in winter weddings, each having their own aura of charm and elegance. The five cited below are definitely at the top of the list.

1.The Ridge Resort at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. This facility takes care of all details including wedding, reception and accommodations. For winter weddings, a complimentary package is offered which includes 3 night honeymoon, champagne toast for reception and your choice of either two Heavenly Lift tickets or an exclusive spa gift certificate. For the perfect wedding, include a brief ceremony at the base of the lift. Once ended, take off in a shower of confetti with your spouse aboard the Heavenly lift for a quiet time together, returning later to join your wedding party at the reception by a fireplace indoors. Photos taken at different sites could fill your album with a wonderland of wedding memorabilia.

2.Hudson Gardens Event Center in Denver, Colorado. This location offers unique and picturesque settings or your winter wedding outdoors. Imagine sheer white of the bride’s dress against white snow with splotches of color such as her bouquet and the grooms black tux, combined with an array of color chosen for the wedding party. Mink wraps, sable stoles or faux fur would add a touch of elegance and the service of a white or silver stretch limo or horse -driven carriage for the wedding party is a plus. A gazebo with white gauzy hangings and ornate space heaters would create a magical effect for the ceremony. Then move indoors to a reception by a fireplace where rich decorations, sumptuous food, petit fours and warm spicy drinks would add a delicious completion to this fairy tale wedding.

3. Stonebridge Country Club in Manchester, New Hampshire, is a scenic and beautiful location for winter weddings. With a heat pump and open fires, an aura of warmth will be yours throughout the wedding ceremony and reception. The ceremony and reception can be held in a canopied tent or at a site with a panoramic view of the garden or lake, a wonderland of white in winter. The staff at Stonebridge will cater to your fancy and address your theme of choice whether a Hawaiian luau or Scottish highland’s feast.

4.Star Hill Ranch in Austin, Texas. If history and country are your style for a winter wedding, Star Hill Ranch is the place for you. Situated along a historic street framed with buildings that mark the area’s historic past, Star Hill Ranch has much to offer. Located only minutes apart are its quaint historic country chapel and a charming bride’s house. The mild winters Texas boasts allow the ceremony and reception to be held in its outdoor arbor. The wide streets will accommodate hayrides or street parades to add that great flavor of an outdoor country winter wedding.

5. Lanikuhonua in Hawaii. Who says you can’t have it all? You can escape to an island paradise for the winter wedding of your dreams. Lanikuhonua has a private get-away beach and offers quite a romantic setting for your winter wedding. With its breathtaking scenery and delightful entertainment all you need is a colorful lei to complete your wedding outfit. You can choose from a simple barefoot wedding on the beach, to traditional, or a more exotic and elegantly romantic wedding on the lavish lawn areas that will astound your guests. This private beach setting is earmarked for a dream wedding never to be forgotten.

For your winter wedding, bear your guests’ comfort in mind. Make outdoor ceremonies brief, opt for comfortable clothing and have lots of hot spicy drinks on hand. You will have the unforgettable wedding you dreamed of and your guests will enjoy the moment with you!

Image Courtesy of BeardsleeCastle.com and Randall Brown

Those couples who may be interested in inviting someone from the afterlife to their wedding might consider choosing one of the many venues in the United States that are noted for being haunted. Guests are sure to get a definite thrill, an probably a chill, as the bride and groom say, “I do…” in front of their guests…and who knows whom else?

One of the most famous haunted wedding venues is in Long Beach, California. Once referred to as the, “Grey Ghost,” the Queen Mary has been the site of almost 50 deaths. People have reported haunting incidences throughout the ship’s 60-year history.  You can read all about it here!

Ghost hunters in Texas will get their kicks at a Houston Hidden Oaks wedding. This former bed and breakfast located near downtown Houston is said to have visitors of the ghostly kind when people least expect them.

Little Falls, New York is the site of the ivy-covered Beardslee Castle. This genuine castle is a beautiful place for a wedding, but beware! Throughout the 151 years since it was built, there have been legendary tales of sprits and ghosts that serve to accentuate the chilling energy of a Beardslee Castle wedding.

The Magnolia Mansion in New Orleans is a historical wedding hot spot. In fact, it is so popular that it is said to be regularly attended by ghosts of all kinds. So haunted is this Antebellum mansion, that it has been selected as one of the most haunted inns in America! They even have special haunted wedding and honeymoon packages!

Eureka Springs, Arkansas has wonderful hot springs and plentiful spas for a relaxing honeymoon after a ghostly wedding at the Crescent Hotel. The beautiful old hotel sits atop a mountain, and is host to many weddings. It is said that sometimes guests are joined by beings from the third world. However, no unfortunate mishaps have been reported. (Here’s their link to their hotel!)

The Copper Queen Hotel is a lovely place for a wedding in Bisbee, Arizona. Many are held under the beautiful cathedral dome that was, at one time, filled with Tiffany glass. However, there appear to be three ghosts who maintain their residence at the Copper Queen, namely Julia Lowell, a woman who died when she was in her early thirties, a second ghost in the form of a tall man wearing a cape and top hat, and a little boy who is around eight years old. Just hope the little guy doesn’t giggle during the ceremony. Some say this has been known to happen.

Another haunted wedding site in Arizona is the Crowne Plaza San Marcos Golf Resort. This Chandler, Arizona venue was constructed in the year 1912 as a place for the rich and famous to mingle, as only the rich and famous can mingle. The stunning wedding facilities are, at times, visited by ghostly apparitions and certain phenomenon that is unexplained.  Hotels.com goes more into detail about these occurrences, along with several other haunted hotels in Arizona.

Finally, a third Arizona wedding site that is said to be haunted is Flagstaff’s Hotel Weatherford. This hotel has seen fires, snowstorms and tales of a bride and groom who were murdered there shortly after the hotel was built. Guests claim to have seen visitations from the couple as they wandered through the halls of the upper floors. They probably say, “I boo!” these days, instead of, “I do.” Click here to view some of the guests’ stories of their time spent at the Hotel Weatherford.

Chateau On The Creek

If you heading south for your outdoor wedding be sure you make your way to Texas. The Lone Star state is known for its amazing landscaping and beautiful wedding venues.  If you are looking for that southern charm themed wedding, I have 3 of the most popular venues in Texas where you can say your “I Do’s”.

My first pick is Chateau on the Creek. This lovely site, Chateau on the Creek is tucked away in a private area for your intimate ceremony. With seven amazing acres, your wedding can be as grand as you like. This gorgeous venue makes for great pictures and comes equipped with a gazebo. Surrounded by creeks, the seven acre stretch is a place for peace and tranquility. It will make a great choice you’re your Texas outdoor wedding.

Red Corral Ranch

My second choice is the Red Corral Ranch.  If you are coming to Texas to have your outdoor wedding you should at least think about having it at a ranch. The Red Corral Ranch is located in the heart of the Texas Hills and is a cowboy’s safe haven. If you’re looking to have a bit of fun the Red Corral Ranch includes a hay ride to and from the very own Big Red Barn. With 1,100 acres of land you have all the room for the wedding of your dreams.

Hamilton Twelve

My final selection is The Hamilton Twelve. This elegant architecture location is located in Austin, Texas. Offering accommodations up to 200 people for an outside ceremony and they also offer a covered terrace for up to 125 people.  This lovely venue is has a beautiful backdrop of nature. Located in 5 acres The Hamilton Twelve has a Mediterranean twist that will make your wedding worth wild!