12 Stunning (Yet Affordable) U.S. Venues for Your Wedding

Getting married is expensive, but do you know just how expensive it is in 2024? $33,000.

That’s the cost of the average wedding today. And, on average, $6,000 to $12,000 of that cost goes toward the venue rental.

It’s an overwhelming amount to put on even a 0% APR credit card, but thankfully, there are still wedding venues to be found that help you plan a stunning celebration without being stunned by the price tag.

From national parks to city halls, you can find spaces that are the perfect backdrop to say “I do.” Here are 12 of our favorites from coast to coast.

Frederick, Maryland, is a beloved weekend getaway spot thanks to its history and landscape, and you can make this your wedding destination on a shoestring budget at Gambrill State Park’s Tea Room.

This charming stone building is used for events and can accommodate up to 55 people for a cocktail reception or 36 for a seated meal. On weekends from April to October, you can rent it for just a few hundred dollars.

California isn’t known for its affordable cost of anything, yet San Francisco delivers with an affordable option. 

The Sunnyside Conservatory is a restored 1898 redwood conservatory with a stunning garden that is practically made for wedding photos. You can rent it for under $900 for two hours on Saturdays.

Based exclusively on its name, this location was practically made for weddings. 

With the incredible backdrop of Yosemite National Park and a half-mile loop that won’t tire out your guests before the celebration even starts, this is the perfect place to say “I do” for outdoor enthusiasts. A permit for a wedding ceremony is only $150.

Two wedding venues in San Francisco that make the budget-friendly cut?! It’s hard to believe, but once you catch a glimpse of San Francisco City Hall, you’ll be scratching your head wondering how this could be affordable.

You can host up to 100 guests for a weekday morning or midday celebration for just $1,000 — and you’ll get the architecturally jaw-dropping, ornate backdrop of City Hall.

Many of the most affordable venues are unconventional or intimate options, but if you want a traditional, large-scale wedding on a budget, there are venues like the Taubman Museum of Art in Virginia. 

The stunning atrium is modern and elegant, and it rents for just $2,000 for a Saturday soirée.

The most affordable wedding venues are, of course, those that are free. You can say your vows in this iconic Maine locale without paying a penny, though know that you cannot host large weddings, and you have to work around any other visitors. 

But just imagine the gorgeous and historic photos you’ll get in front of this 18th-century lighthouse.

You can simply say “I do” for the price of a marriage license if you just want a quick ceremony with a judge at the Atlanta City Hall, but you can also book this architecturally significant building for a comparatively minor cost. 

You can book the Old Council Chambers for $1,500 or the City Hall Atrium for $3,500 or less.

Have a small yet outdoorsy group tagging along for your big day? If you have 12 people or fewer, you can hike to the impressive Timber Creek Overlook to say your vows — all you need is a $100 special use permit. 

This is one of the most storied hikes for national park enthusiasts. If you time it right in the summer, the park will decorate itself with wildflowers.

The small state of Delaware is home to some of the largest mansions and most stunning homes in the country, and you can celebrate with family and friends at one of those homes.

The Tilton Mansion and Carriage House, which is home to a fine dining club known as the University and Whist Club, feels exclusive and luxurious, but its price tag is anything but. You can hold a ceremony in the outdoor garden for as little as $1,000.

For a quirky but beautiful celebration, the Phoenix Zoo offers the gorgeous setting of the Sonoran Desert paired with the charm of the zoo animals.

You can say “I do” in various spaces throughout the zoo, including on the Savanna, by the lakeside, or in the Stone House Pavilion. Ceremonies start at $1,700. You can rent a space for the reception starting at $800.

A historic stone chapel in a coastal tone brings the charm of a small English village to New England. This darling chapel has original details like stained-glass windows, and the setting feels like something out of a movie. You can hold your ceremony for as little as $800.

The bright and airy ambiance of a conservatory is perfect for a wedding. Combine that with lush, vibrant gardens, and you have the setting for memories and photos that you’ll treasure for decades. 

At this 1920s Oklahoma City conservatory, you can rent the space for $300 for the first three hours. If you plan on the party running long, each additional hour is $100.

Choosing an affordable venue is the most efficient way to save major money on your wedding, but you can also try other tricks like choosing an off-season date or getting married on a day besides Saturday. 

Venues often discount the days that are less popular for couples, giving you the chance to snag your dream venue for a budget-friendly price.

You can also use a top travel credit card to earn travel rewards and help reduce the price of your trip.