A wedding day is one of the most important days of our lives. It’s a milestone that marks new beginnings and the union of two families, one that many of us have looked forward to our entire lives. Basically, they’re kind of a big deal.
Brides are always looking for ways to make their wedding extra special, personal, and memorable for herself and the groom. And, all brides and grooms have their preferences and ideas of what makes a wedding their dream wedding. Some couples might want a religious ceremony, while others might want to exchange vows at city hall. Some couples might want a backyard wedding, while others might want to fly to a tropical island for their dream ceremony. Every couple is different.
It’s not fun to admit this, but it is true–in this day and age with Instagram and Facebook, there is an unspoken competition to make your wedding better than everyone else’s. Everyone will talk about everything from location to food to decorations…and of course, your dress! The list goes on and on.
On social media, everyone gets to see what your wedding was like even without being there!
The pressure is on, am I right?
Among my own friends, I have seen a trend where either the bride and groom want to have their wedding at a local venue, and on the other end I see the bride and groom itching to have a destination wedding on a tropical island or in Europe. They are all perfectly good places to have a wedding!
But, I think there more options that engaged couples should explore—mainly this one type that is not very common right.
Now, what is that one type of wedding? It’s a destination wedding—but, domestic. It’s this “in-between” option that few brides ever consider! You get the best parts of having a destination wedding with way less of the fuss.
Some of the benefits:
- It’s a simple way to make your wedding more special.
- It’s likely easier for your guests to travel domestically rather than internationally. They have the option to drive, take the train, or fly! More guests might be able to make it versus a destination wedding in an international location
- It’s a great reason for your guests to make a trip out of the occasion and extend their stay for a few days.
- Coordination between you, your wedding planner, and the venue are so much easier than if international. Sometimes time zones and language barriers can make an already stressful process even less fun.
- It’s most likely a wedding venue you have never been to or your guests have never been to! There’s nothing worse than having to go to the same local venues for weddings all the time. And personally, I would be comparing my own ceremony to someone else’s constantly if we had our weddings at the same venue.
I’ve only listed some of the benefits…there are so many more than I haven’t mentioned!
If you think about it, there are so many great places to have your wedding in the United States, and I’m not just talking Hawaii or California. Major cities with rich histories and plenty of entertaining things to do could be a great option, especially if you have guests who love to travel!
If you have family on both sides of the country, you might choose to have your wedding in a more central location. Now you’re probably thinking…where would I even have a wedding in the middle of the country? Are there any exciting places there?
I bet you didn’t think of New Orleans! New Orleans has so much to offer first-timers and returning visitors. With its charm and character, there really is no other place like it. I think it’s a bucket list type of city that everyone should visit at some point in their lives.
Whether you personally want to spend more time around your wedding exploring New Orleans or give your guests something more to do when they come visit, there are so many can’t-miss things to see, eat, and do!
Things to see and do:
- Bar hop on Bourbon Street
- Nighttime ghost tour
- Jackson Square
- A walking tour of the French quarter
- Cemetery walking tour
- Swamp Tour
- Ride on a street car
- Gamble on a riverboat casino
- Head to a jazz club or bar on Frenchman street
- Walk by the historic homes in the Garden District
- Shop the boutiques on Magazine Street
Things to eat:
- A po’boy, which is a fried seafood sandwich
- A beignet, which is a deep-fried pastry usually topped with powdered sugar, from Café Du Monde
- Gumbo, which is a seafood or meat stew
- Authentic southern barbecue!
And New Orleans has even more to offer beyond some of the most famous eateries and attractions. Whether you plan to be there just for the wedding or for a few days, there is no shortage of things for you or your guests to do while there.
Now you’re probably thinking that New Orleans is a fun place and could be a great spot to have your wedding!
One amazing venue that is very suitable for your “domestic destination wedding” is the Windsor Court Hotel. It’s only a few blocks from the French Quarter, making it a great location for you and your guests to explore what New Orleans has to offer without going far out of your way or needing to rent a car. In a city like this, street parking is not easy to come by and hotels often have a daily parking fee.
With a beautiful ballroom that has crystal chandeliers, floor to ceiling windows, and outdoor terraces to let you take in all of the breathtaking views of the city and river, the Windsor Court Hotel is a luxurious venue, especially for a wedding. There is enough space for up to 250 guests at the La Chinoiserie!
The hotel also features 4-star and 4-diamond restaurants on the property, so there isn’t a need to even step foot out of the hotel for some excellent cuisine. Every single photo of their food is mouthwatering, and the attention to detail from the chef is exceptional.
Guests, especially guests with families, will really appreciate how the hotel is mostly made up of suites, making their stay much more comfortable than with single rooms.
You can hang out with your bridesmaids at the rooftop pool or get the girls together for some time at the spa. In fact, the hotel’s spa, The Spa at Windsor Court, was named the Top Spa in New Orleans by USA Today. That means you’re not going to find a better spa in the city!
The hotel has great attention to detail and vows keep that exceptional attention to detail so couples won’t need to worry about anything on their big day and can just enjoy the moment and have fun with their loved ones.
If you’re the kind of bride who is looking for something different and out of the box, having your domestic destination wedding in New Orleans is the perfect memorable and one-of-a-kind wedding.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The Windsor Court Hotel. All opinions are my own.
