Top 10 Destinations for a Winter Wedding
When couples think about having destination weddings, usually the thought of warm weather comes to mind. At Unique Venues, our first thought about destination weddings is not about the weather; instead, we think of destinations where your wedding will be absolutely magical. Winter weddings are becoming more and more popular because they offer a romantic and elegant touch. With one of these venues listed below, we guarantee your special day will be nothing short of amazing.
River Bottoms Ranch | Midway, UT, USA | Submit Request for More Information
Modern and elegant are two of the words used to describe River Bottoms Ranch. This stunning barn is home to many magical events including wedding receptions and ceremonies. Centered around the importance of creating memories with family and friends, the owners, Jared and Janica, are focused on helping their guests reconnect with nature during their event. Located in a picturesque Utah mountain valley, the land at River Bottoms has been passed down from generation to generation, so they can truly call it a family affair. Just imagine the snow lightly falling as you say “I do” in front of your beloved guests at River Bottoms Ranch.
You will fall in love with Midway as soon as you set foot in the town. After your wedding, guests can visit some of the local attractions – Wasatch Mountain State Park, Memorial Hill, the Homestead Crater, and Midway’s own ice castles.
image source: River Bottoms Ranch website: https://riverbottomsranch.com/weddings
Donovan Pavilion | Vail, CO, USA | Submit a Request for More Information
Nestled between Gore Creek and the South Frontage Road near West Vail, CO, you will find the spectacular Donovan Pavilion. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, this spacious event venue can graciously accommodate up to 200 guests for an intimate wedding reception. The pavilion’s interior is warm and inviting. With floor to ceiling windows and arched beam ceilings, the Donovan Pavilion will help you host a sophisticated winter wedding. The pavilion’s exterior will boast freshly fallen snow and pine trees gently wrapped in Christmas lights. The backdrops of your wedding photos will be absolutely stunning. Create wonderful memories that will last a lifetime at the Donovan Pavilion in Vail, CO.
Check out the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum, the numerous skiing, snowboarding, and hiking trails, and so much more during your next trip to Vail, CO.
image source: Donovan Pavilion website: https://www.vailgov.com/government/donovan-pavilion/facility/facility-overview
Whiteface Lodge | Lake Placid, NY, USA | Submit a Request for More Information
Blanketed in snow, the Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, NY is a remarkable venue for a destination winter wedding. Even though it may be winter, brides and grooms will be able to choose either an outdoor or indoor space for their ceremony. Imagine an intimate outdoor wedding in front of the magnificent Lake Placid where your guests can be snuggled near each other as you promise your love to your partner for the rest of your life. An indoor ceremony can offer the same feeling at Whiteface Lodge with gorgeous interior decorations, wooden arches, towering windows, and your family and friends. The Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, NY can be the home of your next memorable event.
After the event, visit the 1932 and 1980 Olympics sites, High Falls Gorge, hike along famous trails, or take a sleighride through town while it snows!
image source: Whiteface Lodge website: https://www.thewhitefacelodge.com/our-story/gallery/
Hôtel de Glace | Valcartier, QC, Canada | Submit a Request for More Information
Hôtel de Glace is where fairytale wedding memories are made. Located in Quebec, Hôtel de Glace (Ice Hotel) offers brides, grooms, and wedding guests a unique and one-of-a-kind experience. This venue is entirely made of ice and snow and offers many packages for the happy couple – proposal, elopement, romantic, exotic, magical, and vow renewals. Filled with breathtaking ice sculptures and magnificent ice chandeliers, it is no wonder guests travel from around the world to get married at the Hôtel de Glace. Pictures of your special day will be absolutely magical in the chapel and the reception area. If you are planning a winter wedding, make sure you consider Hôtel de Glace in Quebec – you will be so happy you did!
Stroll through Old Quebec, North America’s oldest streets, visit Montmorency Falls, a waterfall that is higher than Niagara Falls, or ride down indoor water slides at Village Vacances Valcartier after your wedding weekend ends in Quebec!
image source: Valcarier website: https://www.valcartier.com/fr/mariage-hotel-de-glace/
Mountain Top Inn & Resort | Stowe, VT, USA | Submit a Request for More Information
The northeast United States is absolutely breathtaking in the winter months. Located in Stowe, VT, the Mountain Top Inn & Resort can serve as an example of the scenic winter months up north. With multiple ceremony spaces to choose from, the Mountain Top Inn is filled with a welcoming staff and wonderful facilities to help make your dream wedding a reality. The picturesque venue offers stunning views of the snow-covered mountain tops and pine trees. Elegant and inviting, the interior venue is filled with rustic twinkling lights and a wall of windows to capture the amazing view. Whether you are celebrating with just your partner or with your family and friends, the Mountain Top Inn has numerous packages to create a memorable wedding day.
Other great attractions near Stowe, VT include Church Street Marketplace, Quechee Gorge, and the Bennington Battle Monument and Museum. Visit one of these attractions before or after your event in Stowe!
image source: Mountain Top Inn & Resort website: https://mountaintopinn.com/gallery/ | photo credit: Idena Beach
Rainbow Ranch Lodge | Gallatin Gateway, MT, USA | Submit a Request for More Information
The Rainbow Ranch Lodge is a sophisticated space for your romantic winter wedding. Situated between towering snow-capped mountains and located just minutes from Big Sky, MT, the Rainbow Lodge offers a gorgeous backdrop for your ceremony, reception, and of course, the photos to remember your magical day. With award-winning cuisine and multiple gathering spaces to choose from, the Rainbow Ranch Lodge is a great choice for a destination winter wedding. From intimate ceremonies to large receptions, the lodge is excited to help brides and grooms plan their special day. Don’t say “I do” before you consider the Rainbow Ranch Lodge for your magical winter wedding!
Even after your event ends in Big Sky, there is still so much fun to be had! Ski or snowboard at Big Sky Resort, fly fish at Blue Ribbon Waterways, or visit Yellowstone National Park.
image source: Rainbow Ranch Lodge website: https://www.rainbowranchbigsky.com/experience/wedding-gallery#group-739-57 | photo credit: Kody Dustin Photography
Banff Gondola | Banff National Park, AB, Canada | Submit a Request for More Information
Located in Banff National Park, Alberta, CA, the summit at the Banff Gondola offers brides and grooms the experience of tying the knot while enjoying 360 degrees views of the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. Wedding guests will embark on an eight-minute gondola ride and arrive at the ceremony space, the Peak Patio. After the happy couple says “I do,” the reception will begin at the Sky Bistro Reception Space which offers delicious food and drinks. This unforgettable view and location will help to create a memorable experience that guests will talk about for years to come. If you are searching for a unique space for your wedding, look no further than the Banff Gondola!
Step off the Banff Gondola and into adventure after your event ends. Kayak on the pristine waters of Lake Louise, shop, eat, and drink along Banff Avenue, or visit the stunning Cascade Gardens.
image source: Banff Gondola website: https://www.banffjaspercollection.com/attractions/banff-gondola/groups/weddings/# | photo credit: Kim Payant Photography
Museum of Science and Industry | Chicago, IL, USA | Submit a Request for More Information
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is the premier event space for sophisticated winter weddings. MSI is the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere and is filled with exciting and interactive events that guests will enjoy. You will be able to choose from multiple event spaces located throughout the museum – each one carefully designed and decorated to create an intimate winter wedding reception. Just steps from Lake Michigan, Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry offers both a beautiful interior and exterior to serve as the backgrounds of your photos. Both you and your guests will love this uncommon yet unique space for your winter wedding!
Surrounding the museum are numerous attractions for your guests to enjoy including the Navy Pier, the Holiday Hike – Chicago Style, and Millennium Park. Good times won’t end after your event does in Chicago!
image source: https://www.uniquevenues.com/Museum-of-Science-and-Industry-Chicago
The Globe and Mail Centre | Toronto, ON, Canada | Submit a Request for More Information
Imagine standing in front of floor to ceiling windows, your partner’s arms wrapped around you, music softly playing in the background, and snow falling outside. This dream could quickly turn into a reality when you choose The Globe and Mail Centre as your winter wedding venue. Located in Toronto, Ontario, the Globe and Mail Centre offers an elegant event space and stunning views of the city. This beautiful space is full of natural light and offers views of Lake Ontario. Your guests will enjoy watching you say “I do” with the snow falling throughout Toronto in the background. Dance the night away with your family and friends at The Globe and Mail Centre!
Places in Toronto outside of the Globe and Mail Centre to visit include Harbourfront Centre, Scarborough Bluffs, and the St. Lawrence Market.
image source: https://www.uniquevenues.ca/Globe-and-Mail-Centre-Toronto | photo credit: L'Atelier Lumière
Timberline Lodge | Mt. Hood, OR, USA | Submit a Request for More Information
Winter weddings are timeless and elegant – right out of a fairytale. When you choose the Timberline Lodge as your winter wedding destination, you will feel like you just walked into a venue fit for a princess or prince from Disneyland. This breathtaking venue is located in Government Camp, OR, atop of Mount Hood. From indoor to outdoor, Timberline Lodge is home to multiple event spaces that will help you create a memorable day. The snow-covered mountains will serve as a beautiful photo background to help you remember your big day. It’s almost always snowing at Mount Hood which makes this a perfect venue for your winter wedding!
Outside of the venue, visit Trillium Lake, Mount Hood Cultural Center and Museum, or explore the collection of breweries located near Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge.
image source: Timberline Lodge website: https://www.timberlinelodge.com/weddings#wedding-venues| photo credit: Blaine + Bethany Photography
Destination winter weddings can be an exciting change of pace from traditional weddings, especially at one of these stunning venues. We hope you consider one of these venues when you are planning your next event. They were created to host memorable parties, and the staff at each location hopes to add yours to the list next!
Author: Haley Thomas
Haley Thomas is a recent graduate from Saint Francis University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing, Strategic Communications, and Digital Media and a Masters of Business Administration. She is currently the Marketing and Events Manager at Vision Together 2025 in Johnstown, PA. As a freelance writer for Unique Venues, Haley is excited to be a part of the continued success of the company and assist the consistent progress with her SEO optimized articles for the company’s website and social media platforms. In her free time, Haley enjoys spending time with her family and friends and exploring the great outdoors through activities such as hiking and paddle boarding.