Many American couples dream of a romantic European destination wedding, but cost and logistics are often too daunting.
But there’s a way to have a European wedding without traveling far from home. ALHI properties in North America offer the ambiance of Europe through historic architecture, grand estates, gardens, wineries, food and drink choices and Old World artisan details.
Here’s a look at four ALHI destinations that are perfect for a European-style wedding.
Hotel Bennett, Charleston, South Carolina
Photo Credit: Richard Bell and Hotel Bennett
The hotel has a Parisian vibe with white marble floors, sweeping staircases, ornate chandeliers and ironworks and a rooftop bar reminiscent of the Champs-Élysées.
“Hotel Bennett provides an ideal setting for couples seeking the timeless elegance of a European-style wedding,” said Rachel Frost, the hotel’s director of marketing. “With its grand architecture, refined interiors, and classical charm, the hotel evokes the sophistication of Europe while offering the warmth and hospitality of Charleston.”
Hotel Bennett was designed to evoke the elegance and timelessness of European hotels, including curated art and hand-painted ceilings.
Couples can embrace the European feel by incorporating romantic, elevated touches throughout their celebration. A champagne tower in the Roman Rotunda, a Parisian-style pastry display, or a multi-course wine dinner creates a refined culinary experience. Fashion choices like lace gowns, classic tuxedos, and bespoke gloves or veils echo timeless European style. Live music, such as a string quartet or French café-style jazz, adds an air of romance.
Frost said couples also can lean into the vibe of a destination wedding with the sophistication of Europe and the convenience of Charleston. The indoor and outdoor venues offer a sense of grandeur and intimacy reminiscent of a European château or terrace garden. Custom menus inspired by elements of Old-World cuisine, paired with luxe linens, floral installations, and classic décor, help craft the setting. Couples can add a curated welcome soirée or afternoon tea for a full cultural weekend experience.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego, California
Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s European vibe comes from the resort’s rich architectural detail, inspired by classic estates in Italy, France, Spain, and Morocco, said Linda Karimi, director of marketing at the hotel.
Designed by Altevers International with interiors by Warren Sheets, the property features imported materials like limestone and marble, hand-carved fireplaces from Verona, Italy, and artisan-crafted tilework. Arched doorways, coffered ceilings and old-world finishes, gives the resort the feel of timeless Mediterranean escape in Southern California.
“Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s wedding experts help couples craft a European destination wedding, using the resort’s versatile venues as a blank canvas,” Karimi said. “Every detail is handled with care, delivering personalized service and quality beyond a typical wedding venue.”
To lean into the European atmosphere, couples can choose al fresco ceremonies near the Romanesque-style fountain or inside the Gothic-inspired chapel, followed by receptions featuring Mediterranean-inspired menus, spritz carts, and flowing European wines.
Attire often nods to the setting — from lace veils, heirloom jewelry, and classic tailoring — while live music adds to the old-world ambiance. Couples also layer in European touches through floral installations, decor and even a retro European getaway car to whisk them away after the celebrations.
Château Élan, Braselton, Georgia
Château Élan, just north of Atlanta, is intentionally reminiscent of the French countryside, specifically the wine regions of Bordeaux or Loire Valley in France.
“One of the first things couples fall in love with is the landscaping,” said Richelle Francis, director of catering. “It sets the tone before they even step out of the car. The drive into the property feels like you're approaching a countryside estate in the south of France, with manicured gardens, rows of vineyards, stone-lined walkways, and brick-paved courtyards.
Despite the size of the resort, there are intentionally designed pockets of space, like the chateau’s Rose Garden, Jardin des Tuileries and Vineyard Garden that feel like intimate, romantic European gardens. In addition to the guest rooms, the property offers private villas and spa suites.
The event spaces are styled in a timeless, airy palette that reflects natural tones often found in the European countryside, Francis said. Many couples accent this look with elegant floral chandeliers, garlands draped across farm tables, and lush white hydrangeas, a nod to the classic gardens seen throughout European estates.
Château Élan often hosts vineyard ceremonies, bridal luncheons, proposals, and vow renewals outdoors, where the setting brings that European ambiance to life. Couples could also get the destination feel for their guests through culinary classes, winery tours and tastings, spa experiences and tennis and golf.
Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Photo Credit: Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende Website
Live Aqua emulates the charm of San Miguel de Allende, a city often compared to European towns in Italy, Portugal and Spain because of its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, vibrant art scene and laid-back yet sophisticated atmosphere.
Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende won the 2019 UNESCO Prix Versailles Award for Best Hotel Design and Architecture North America for its combination of subtle Brutalist architecture and old Spanish Colonial style. Concrete steps lead from the entrance to an impressive central courtyard ensconced by loggias and courtyard-view rooms.
The hotel hosts just one wedding a day, and couples often take advantage of the many European-inspired churches in the city for their vows.
Venues at the hotel include a European city-style garden with a natural landscape, a ballroom and a terrace featuring the city as a backdrop.
For the destination wedding feel, the hotel offers world-class gastronomy, including the Spice Market restaurant featuring dishes from around the world. There is a wellness program and spa and activities available in San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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