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Superb Ceremonies: The Most Sought-After Wedding Venues in the World

Superb Ceremonies: The Most Sought-After Wedding Venues in the World

Happy couples dream of the perfect wedding.

But the minutiae of planning a flawless ceremony pile up quickly—even for those working with a wedding planner or event organizer. That’s doubly true for those who decide to plan a destination wedding.

Destination weddings are popular because they take couples to exotic new lands for their special day. They blend the relaxing nature of a vacation with a meaningful celebration.

In other words, destination weddings are often amazing experiences—even if they’re tougher to plan. Each year, millions of couples around the world take off for their big day (or days, depending on wedding customs in your hometown).

Couples might be heading to a venue where their parents were wed, to a hometown where elders are located, to an all-inclusive resort with tons of amenities, or to a bigger city where they’ll welcome visiting guests.

The select few won’t be doing any of that for their big day.

Instead, they’ll jet-set off to one of the world’s most sought-after wedding venues.

Think you can name some of the most famous backdrops for saying I do? Let’s find out. (Hint: we’re going to Europe.)

Rothschild Villa

Villefrance-sur-Mer, France

Nothing says lux like the French Riviera.

Welcome to the former abode of a former Baroness named Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. The grounds, built in the early 1900s, include odes to Renaissance architecture from Italy, France, and Greece.

There are also Japanese Gardens, rooms filled with rococo art and accents, and plenty of antique furniture and porcelain.

In 1934, the villa was bequeathed to the French Academie des Beaux-Arts. Today, it remains open for guided tours, afternoon tea, and private weddings. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the most expensive wedding venues in France.

Photo by Frans Ruiter on Unsplash

Bled Castle

Lake Bled, Slovenia

You’ve probably seen Bled Castle before, whether in a TV show or on a tourism brochure.

It’s Slovenia’s stand-out destination that dates back to the 11th century. The castle sits atop a steep hill in front of a sprawling lake. In the backdrop are Slovenia’s alpine mountains. That view alone is worth getting married, in my opinion.

But the castle’s interior has been well-maintained. There’s a small museum, a gallery, a wine cellar, a coffeeshop, beehouse, and—most importantly—an absolutely breathtaking chapel. The walls are blush pink and the ceiling has a stunning and sprawling painting.

However, most weddings are hosted on the upper castle terrace for the views.

Guide of Capri

Certosa di San Giacomo

Capri, Italy

This tiny island is located just off the coast of Naples—and it’s home to a larger-than-life stone monastery.

From the outside looking in, the Certosa di San Giacomo looks like a castle sitting atop a hill. But this former monastery is now a museum and event space—one that’s hugely popular for couples around Europe.

The monastery dates back to the 1300s when the first charterhouse was built. Over the centuries, it expanded. Much of the later constructions were during the Renaissance, which you’ll notice in the arched colonnades and porticos that overlook the island.

Just like Bled Castle, there’s a lovely chapel located inside and plenty of painted frescoes on the walls and ceilings.

TripAdvisor

Four Season Resort (The Ocean Club)

The Bahamas

The Four Seasons luxury five-star Ocean Club resort is fit for hosting weddings, renewals, graduation parties—absolutely anything.

I can’t gush about this venue enough. The grounds are dotted with stone columns and sculptures, which are a bit weathered at this point. With a backdrop of lush palms and greenery, the name of Versailles Gardens feels spot-on.

The rest of the grounds, on the other hand, are pretty standard luxury resort offerings. It’s a great spot for couples’ vacations, family gatherings, weddings, and plenty more.

In fact, the Ocean Club is no stranger to hosting weddings, meaning you can easily pay for one of its packages for a more seamless planning experience.

Photo by Benjamin Cutting on Unsplash

New York City Public Library

New York, USA

This venue definitely shocked me. Despite living in the city for five years, I hadn’t realized its public library was a worthy wedding venue.

That being said, it’s not hard to imagine. The building is massive and grand, while also being subtle and elegant. Inside waits a vast marble lobby with towering ceilings, some with frescoes—a solid place for a wedding.

Compared to the other venues on this list, the New York City Public Library can also host more people. The venue can fit up to 275 guests. And they’ll be able to wander through multiple rooms during the ceremony and reception.

But keep in mind this isn’t a place for a private rental. It’s a public library, which means literally anyone can crash the wedding.

TripAdvisor

Carlowrie Castle

Edinburgh, Scotland

This ivy-covered castle is the stuff of fairytales. Though the castle was built in the mid-1800s, its Gothic revival style has a medieval air.

That means you get the best of both worlds, as the castle now has all the modern amenities that wedding-goers need. You’ll be able to wander through the grand rooms, explore 32-acres worth of gardens and forest, and even stay the night in one of the opulent upstairs rooms.

But keep in mind that the interior doesn’t reflect an old-fashioned or stately history. It’s all modern—which removes a lot of the hype for me. Still, the castle and grounds are absolutely worth fawning over. 

5 Things You Learn About America When Living Abroad

I grew up in the heartland of the United States.

I didn’t think much about my own culture until I left my hometown to get my undergraduate degree in Global Studies.

Earning that Global Studies degree meant spending a lot of time outside the US… at which point my own American identity became a focal point of my studies.

I don’t want to bore anyone with what I learned, nor sell you on the merits of anthropology.

But you should know this: the fulcrum of successful anthropological studies is the anthropologist’s ability to know themselves. So, I first had to ‘study myself’ before I could hope to learn about other cultures.

Ten years later, I’m still on this journey of growth and understanding.

And I’m still an American abroad.

One of my favorite facets of travel is hearing what visitors think when they return home and have some time to process their experience. Even the most casual trips yield new perspectives.

In honor of the traveler’s journey and its ability to expand our horizons, I’m taking a look at a few of the most tangible things that I’ve learned about myself as an American abroad. Please keep in mind this list reflects my own life and experiences as someone who has lived, studied, and traveled across the world.

The US lives life in the fast lane

Of course, the pace of life in New York City isn’t quite the same as it is in rural Arkansas.

Despite the serious differences in lifestyles across the US, most Americans love having a boisterously good ol’ time.

In other words, we aren’t too shy about having fun and living life in the fast lane.

Whether racing bikes, playing cornhole, or watching a baseball game, we’re going to let it all out—in the name of fun, in the name of freedom, in the name of being alive, baby!

And I have to tell you—this isn’t exclusive to the United States. This is a pan-American characteristic. From Buenos Aires to Kingston to Omaha, Americans from across the New World aren’t expected to tighten the reigns when things get fun.

We’re going to turn up the volume and keep dancing.

The US glorifies the hustle

That being said, Americans don’t only like to turn up the heat when we’re having fun.

We’re also known for putting our nose down and grinding—especially when it comes to our sense of economic hustle. (For good or bad—I’m not going to delve into the morality of non-stop work.)

Just like the term ‘pull yourself up by the bootstraps’ hints, Americans have a very tight hold on what we perceive as destiny. And for us, destiny is entirely malleable.

We’re encouraged to pursue our dreams, even if it means taking on added work with higher stakes.

I’ve found this type of maddening hustle to be pretty unique to the US, though I’ve also felt similarly when visiting both Mexico and Taiwan. I’ve also heard that places like China, Japan, and South Korea also work long hours for more days a week.

The US is extremely diverse

I have never been anywhere as diverse as the United States.

For all the critiques I hear about the US as an American living abroad (we’re loud, we’re ignorant, we’re racist), we’re extremely diverse. I grew up with more diversity in the Midwest than I experience today in Barcelona.

I’m talking about unique religious sects that live entirely of their own accord, from Mormon universities to Amish villages.

I’m talking linguistics, from Chinatowns where Mandarin is the common tongue to the Gullah-Geechee creole language of Georgia.

I’m talking entirely unique holidays, from Kwanzaa to Indigenous Peoples Day.

I could keep going, but I think you get my point. For all the flack the US takes for our cultural conflicts (which are warranted, in my opinion), these critiques fail to recognize just how functional our melting pot is.

The US has a hero mentality

The United States really loves an underdog.

And if you want to see how America imagines itself, then look no further than our fictional superheroes.

Superman is a great example. (There’s a reason he features keenly in Americana content.) But let’s not forget about more modern iterations of the American superhero.

Iron Man (2008) is probably the best example of our hero mentality—one that actually touches on the other elements listed in this article.

Let me lay it out: Tony Stark is a loud and boisterous hustler who uses his diverse network of connections to fashion himself from a tycoon businessman into a superhero. (That’s the modern Captain America, in my opinion.)

The US is very chill about debt

Lastly, I have to touch on this just because it regularly blows the minds of my European friends. It’s our relationship to debt.

My friends are astounded to hear that most American teenagers actually do take out tens of thousands of dollars in loans just for higher education.

But that’s not actually what shocks them. It’s when I start talking about how often we open up credit card accounts and accrue debt.

I have yet to meet a European friend with a credit card. Why not, you might ask? Well, that question gets flipped back pretty fast. The better question is—why spend money you don’t have?

The American reply is that I’ll have it soon. So long as I keep hustling.

Rustic Luxury in Tennessee: Best Cabin Rentals on the Water

Most people think about rustic cabin getaways when the winter chill sets in.

After all, what’s cozier than cuddling up with a loved one by a fire while watching the snow fall outside?

Assuming you can find a solution for the mosquitos, I think cuddling up on a porch swing and watching the sunset over the water is a pretty close second.

Cabins on the water offer all the comfort and familiarity of home, while also taking you closer to nature and further from your stresses. In other words, you don’t always need a big fancy vacation to get you out of a funk.

You might just need a cabin rental on the water.

And if you’re living near Tennessee, I’ve got a few suggestions for you. Below are some of the top-rated cabin rentals on the water in the state, from high-design A-Frames to bird’s-eye-view cabins.

Coalmont Cabin

Coalmont, Tennessee

This 4-acre waterfront retreat looks like a summer dream.

Not only are you located right on the water of a small, private lake, but you’re also nestled in the South Cumberland Mountains.

The cabin’s interior is beautifully decorated with all the essentials, while the outdoor area also has everything you’ll need for a quality vacation—from zip lines to a large fire pit. Even the lighting is perfect, designed to let you celebrate the sweet summer with loved ones outside.

Book here

*If you’re on the hunt for something slightly smaller, check out the newly opened Coalmont Cove. It’s run by the same group and located on the same 4-acre stretch of property.  (Honestly, the cove might be my favorite… it looks like it’s straight out of a design magazine.)

Check out the cove

The Olivier Lakehouse

If you’re into hiking through the forest and reclining by the lakeside, then you’ll love being nestled in the Chickasaw State Forest at the Olivier Lakehouse. You’ve got 38 acres all to yourself—and plenty to do outside.

The property comes with canoes, kayaks, and even a spare lake. While you enjoy the outdoors, you might even run into Olivier himself. Olivier is the eldest (and a beloved) Muscovy duck who lives on the lake.

Book here

Entire cabin in Sevierville

Embrace the lime-green paint job—you won’t be disappointed. Though I can’t nail down what the owners were going for with the paint color, I can tell you that this A-Frame has everything you need for a great lakefront getaway… and more.

The interior is updated with modern amenities and features. But outside, you have your own dock, paddleboat, porch, fire pit, and—just for good measure—another sharing patio that overlooks the water. As an added bonus, the lake is fully stocked and private—ready for all-day fishing excursions.

Bonus points: Sevierville is a great choice for Tennessee vacationers.

Book here

Stayframe Designer Getaway

What’s better than a cabin on the lake? A designer cabin on the lake.

In case you don’t know, a designer stay is one that was decorated by a professional. They likely curated a mood using some of the best brand names in the industry. If that’s not your thing, then stick to another rental on this list.

But if you do have an appreciation for freestanding tubs, designer cookware, perfectly worn leather couches, and curvaceous candelabras, then look no further. Stayframe is here to steal your soul.

Book here

Luxury Lakefront Bungalow

This bungalow is tiny but beautifully appointed, meaning you won’t notice the lack of space—especially not with large windows overlooking the lake outside.

This isn’t the most private stay, as you’ll be sharing the catch-and-release lake. But you’ve also got tons of hiking and natural scenery to soak up nearby, plus a porch and fire pit meant for soaking up the sunset.

Book here

Bonus: Solace Sphere

No, it’s not a cabin on the water. It’s a dome in the woods. Still, it’s located a short walk from Central Hill Lake—and I promise the uniqueness of the elevated dome is worth checking out.

From the outside, you’ll be stunned by how seamlessly the modern dome fits into the healthy green forest. On the inside, you’ll be stunned by plenty of natural light and light wood furnishings.

Did I mention there’s a huge outdoor patio, a breathtaking sauna, and a solid BBQ grill setup?

Book here

Overlapping History: World Wonders, Ancient Civilizations, & More

History is never as far away as we think.

If you take a fine-tooth comb to history, you’ll notice a few surprising intersections.

For example, though most wooly mammoths went extinct alongside North America’s mega-fauna around 10,000 years ago, some small populations held out.

In Russia’s Arctic Circle, small bands of wooly mammoths survived on a place called Wrangel Island until around 2000 BCE… which coincides with Ancient Egypt’s peak pyramid construction period. That means the Great Pyramid of Giza was built during the last years of the wooly.

But some overlapping history is a lot more direct. And some of it involves our world’s greatest wonders, from Yellowstone National Park to Machu Picchu.

Ever wonder which historical wonders coincide? Let’s dive in.

First up: the Aztecs and Oxford University.

Oxford & the Aztecs

Neither Oxford nor the Aztecs have concrete origins.

Oxford University in England was referenced as early as 1096, though it wasn’t formally founded until Henry II banned English scholars from studying at the University of Paris in 1167.

Around the same time, the Aztecs were gaining power in Central America. (By this time, the Mayan Empire had fallen.)

The Aztecs didn’t unite into a formal empire until three powerful tribes joined forces in 1428. And this empire would only keep its hold until Spanish conquistadors defeated Aztec rebellions in 1521.

So, what does that mean in terms of overlapping history? Oxford’s pre-Renaissance scholars were setting up the university’s colleges at the same time that Nahua peoples (future Aztecs) were venturing into central America and setting up city-states along the way.

Machu Picchu was built and abandoned during the Spanish conquest

Machu Picchu is one of our world’s bona fide wonders—one that travelers from around the world are willing to hike high into the Andes mountains to see.

It was only recently uncovered, too, when an archaeologist stumbled upon the site in 1911. And if you’ve ever seen images of this towering village, you know it’s easy to imagine Machu Picchu as a vestige of an ancient culture.

In reality, this Incan village was constructed early in the 1400s… and it was already abandoned by the time Spanish conquistadors arrived in the 1500s.

That means that Machu Picchu was built, occupied, and abandoned all within the first wave of Spanish colonial conquest of the Americas.

Spanish forces captured the leader of the Incan Empire, Atahualpa, before executing him in 1533. At the time, a civil war was tearing the Incan Empire apart, providing an ‘in’ for conquistadors.

By 1575, Spain’s colonial forces had control of the Andes and the Incan Empire… but European explorers and colonists didn’t stumble upon the then-abandoned Machu Picchu. For hundreds of years, it remained hidden from the general public, similar to Colombia’s Ciudad Perdida.

Spain already settled Santa Fe when the first English pilgrims arrived

When it comes to centuries-old sites in the United States, most people focus on the East Coast. That’s where colonial forces from Sweden, the Netherlands, France, and the UK battled it out before the US was formed in 1776.

But if you’ve read through the previous sections in this article, you might be one step ahead of me.

Spain’s colonial armies had already defeated the Aztecs and the Incas by the late 1500s… which predates the arrival of the US’s ‘first‘ pilgrims at Plymouth Rock in 1620.

While these pilgrims weren’t the first English settlers to arrive, many Americans consider them part of our cultural heritage.

So it’s understandably mind-blowing to know that Spain’s colonial forces already had a large estate (‘Palace of Governors’) built in Santa Fe, New Mexico at this time. That makes the Palace of Governors the oldest public building in the United States. Construction began in 1610, a cool decade before English pilgrims sailed the Atlantic.

Yellowstone Park & Germany & Italy

We tend to cover history in modern terms. In other words, we use modern politics and geography to inform how we speak of the past. For example, the Ancient Greeks called themselves Hellenes, a term that many wouldn’t immediately recognize.

The same is true for modern countries.

Italy and Germany are two examples that always pop up in my head, as both nations took on their modern form in the late 1800s—a whole century after the United States attained nationhood.

This was the case for many European states that were once composed of different territories and principalities. That makes both Italy and Germany very young in terms of official and modern statehood… almost as young as Yellowstone National Park, in fact.

Italy was formed in 1861. Ten years later, Germany was signed into existence in 1872. The birth of both nations only shortly precedes the establishment of Yellowstone National Park, which was formally protected in 1872.

Road Trip Packing List: Products that Will Save Your Sanity

Road trips are deceptively demanding.

Regardless of why you’re packing up your war pony and heading cross-country, you’re going to need to keep a handle on a range of things.

Your car’s health. Your own health; physical and mental. Last-minute re-routes, thunderstorms, roadside attractions, flat tires, tummy aches, rest stops, and phone calls home.

Also, don’t forget to have fun!

If you want to make your road trip easier, then do some planning beforehand. I’ve found dozens of top-rated products that road-trippers across the world use to make their long-distance travels more seamless and enjoyable.

Emergency gear

For the front seats

For the backseat

Pet-friendly products

Above and beyond

These States Do American Barbecue the Best

Barbecue culture runs deep in a handful of US states.

While Americans far and wide enjoy a sticky-sweet rack of ribs, a few states lay claim to the ‘best’ barbecue. Even within state or city lines, debates might rage about which restaurants and smokehouses do it best.

All the hype makes sense. Barbecue is an American pastime—one that has its origin in a variety of places.

For example, before Europeans arrived, tribes like the Taino and Miskito were fans of slow-cooking meat over indirect heat. That tradition quickly spread and evolved.

Then skills like slow-cooking and braising methods were brought over by African Americans. Europeans at the time were skilled in basting, a method that had traditionally been used to seal in flavor while cooking at high heat.

Toss these influences together and you have the basic formula for good barbecue.

But there’s one more secret American ingredient: high-quality red meat.

Starting in the mid-1800s, the US invested heavily in its beef industry. And if you follow the trail of cattle driving, meat packing, and train shipments from the late 1800s and early 1900s, you might notice a pattern.

Here’s how it went: cattle were raised and driven north from Texas to the stockyards and abattoirs of Kansas and Missouri before being packed and shipped east to places like Tennessee, Kentucky, and the Carolinas.

And there you have it: the Barbecue Belt, a remnant from the US’s glorious cattle-driving heyday.

But which regions, cities, and restaurants do it best?

Austin, Texas

What makes barbecue different here: It’s all about the quality and freshness of meat in Austin. Locals tend to season their meats with salt and pepper, then slow-cook them over oak wood. That creates some seriously smoky flavor, which is made even more savory by black-crackled brisket slabs. Simple and delicious.

Where to eat:

Dallas, Texas

What makes barbecue different here: In Dallas, locals prefer hickory wood for their barbecue pyres. There’s also a stronger focus on sweet-and-tangy sauces, similar to those preferred in Kansas City. Like Austin, there’s also a good amount of pork sausage, known as hot links in Dallas (and hot guts in Austin, unfortunately).

Where to eat:

Saint Louis, Missouri

What makes barbecue different here: Compared to other barbecue-centric cities, locals in St. Louis love to grill their meats. And they’ve got a serious love of ribs, pig snout, and pig ears. Here, the barbecue sauce isn’t quite as sweet as KC’s because the base is made from vinegar instead of molasses. As in Dallas, most barbecue is made using hickory wood.

Where to eat:

Kansas City, Missouri

What makes barbecue different here: Those who didn’t grow up in barbecue hotspots might list Kansas City as the capital of barbecue—and it wouldn’t be a poor approximation. This city regularly gets name-dropped around the world for its slow-cooked meats. Locals like their sauce sweet and extremely thick, usually made from molasses and tomatoes. Oh, and they’ll will slow-cook anything—from chicken to turkey to ribs. In KC, barbecue isn’t a high-class affair; one of the city’s best bbq haunts is located inside a gas station. 

Where to eat:

Memphis, Tennessee

What makes barbecue different here: Pork is a big deal in Memphis barbecue, but the sauce is what really stands out. It’s all about dry ribs here—nothing like the hefty, coagulated sauces in Kansas City. Dry rub is typically a blend of paprika, cayenne, black pepper, and garlic and onion. Oh, and Memphis is known for its other barbecue oddities, including its barbecue bologna and spaghetti. (Mamma mia…)

Where to eat:

Lexington, North Carolina

What makes barbecue different here: Pork shoulder is the king of Lexington barbecue. Locals like to eat it chopped or sliced—so long as it’s still juicy, sweet, and covered in Lexington’s ketchup-vinegar sauce. You’ll also see offers for ‘outside brown’ on the menu, which is also common in Saint Louis (called ‘burnt ends’). Outside brown refers to the crunchy and caramelized bits left after a good smoking. (This is the stuff you’d sell your soul for.)

Where to eat: