Some of the best castles to get married in don't require a passport to visit.
If you've always dreamed of tying the knot in a fairy-tale castle but thought it wouldn't be possible stateside, stop right here. As it turns out, there is no need to cross the Atlantic to find a big-day location fit for royalty. These historic buildings, with their grand facades, intricate stonework, and sweeping surroundings, rival their European counterparts, delivering romance without the need to touch down on distant shores.
That's right: We found 18 castles right here in the United States that are just begging to play host to your ultra-romantic wedding ceremony and reception. If French Renaissance-inspired grandeur is what you're looking for, check out Asheville, North Carolina's, Biltmore House. Built over 100 years ago, this massive chateau-style castle features an expansive front lawn for your ceremony. That means your guests (up to 500 of them!) can watch you swap vows with a breathtaking castle as your backdrop. Prefer your castle come with ocean views? Book the Guggenheim Estate at Sands Point Preserve in Port Washington, New York, where several castle-like mansions overlook the Long Island Sound. And if a destination wedding is more your style, plan a no passport required celebration in Honolulu at Iolani Palace, which served as the official residence of Hawaii's monarchy until 1893.
Whatever your style, there's a castle right here in the U.S. that would be perfect your magical day. Click through to see all the options.
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Boldt Castle
Sitting atop a heart-shaped island, this castle is the masterpiece of a real love story. George Boldt, once owner of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, built the no-expenses-spared home for his wife, Louise.
Where: Alexandria Bay, NY
What We Love: The Thousand Island region, an area that straddles the U.S.-Canadian border, is comprised of—you guessed it—more than 1,000 individual islands. The Boldt Castle is only reachable by boat, giving guests a Riviera-esque experience.
Book It: From $200 (ceremony only), boldtcastle.com
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Iolani Palace
The only true castle on American soil, Iolani Palace was the official residence of Hawaii's monarchy until 1893. Today couples can exchange I do's on the palace grounds and celebrate in the adjacent Iolani Barracks.
Where: Honolulu, HI
What We Love: The site's "Coronation Pavilion" has a gazebo-like structure where live entertainment can play for partygoers.
Book It: From $1,300, iolanipalace.org
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Searles Castle
Gilded Age interior decorator and antiques collector Edward Searles commissioned this 1915 English-style castle to pay tribute to his heritage.
Where: Windham, NH
What We Love: Brides and 'maids can reserve a second-floor suite for last-minute touch-ups preceremony.
Book It: From $3,000, searlescastlewindham.com
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Gillette Castle
Built as a home for actor, playwright, and director William Hooker Gillette, this 184-acre estate is well-preserved, with its three-mile trail still looping around the grounds and all the original oddities, including 47 unmatched wooden doors.
Where: East Haddam, CT
What We Love: A seasonal ferry that's designated as a state historical landmark crosses the nearby Connecticut River, and runs to the city of Chester, making for a one-of-a-kind getaway following your I do's.
Book It: From $285 (outdoor ceremony only), ctrivervalley.com
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Hammond Castle
Gloucester's naval beginnings—it was home to America's original seaport—influence Hammond Castle, which is nestled on the Atlantic's rocky coast.
Where: Gloucester, MA
What We Love: An indoor sanctuary with stained glass windows opens up to the terrace, while antique war paraphernalia dons the walls, lending a medieval ambience to the 20th-century site.
Book It: From $2,850, hammondcastle.org
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Thornewood Castle
Thornewood Castle—which offers both an indoor and outdoor venue (to accommodate Washington's rainy climate)—was built to the specifications of Mr. Chester Thorne, one of the founders of the Port of Tacoma, as a gift for his bride, Anna.
Where: Lakewood, WA
What We Love: Even with its old-world architecture, Thornewood still meets modern expectations—from offering lakefront fireworks to having an on-site helicopter landing.
Book It: From $2,950, thornewoodcastle.com
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Squire's Castle
Erected by Standard Oil cofounder Feargus Squire in the late 1890s, this gatehouse was part of a larger estate plan that was never completed. Today, the shell of this stone structure stands in the Chagrin Valley of Ohio under the protection of the Cleveland Metropolitan Park Board.
Where: Willoughby Hills, OH
What We Love: Tall trees surround the 19th-century property creating a picturesque backdrop for portraits.
Book It: From $100, clevelandmetroparks.com
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Biltmore House
Devise a full wedding weekend for out-of-town guests complete with a spa day, horseback ride, and winery visit without ever leaving the Biltmore Estate (but if you must, the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains are calling for a day hike). Built more than 120 years ago by George Vanderbilt, the stately property can accommodate a large guest count and even grander nuptials.
Where: Asheville, NC
What We Love: The expansive front lawn is ideal for a ceremony for up to 500 guests with the enormous French Renaissance château as the backdrop.
Book It: From $20,000, biltmore.com
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Louisiana's Old State Capitol
New York architect James Dakin designed Baton Rouge's Capitol building. Rather than mimic the federal one in Washington (as so many other states had done), he conceived a neo-Gothic medieval castle sitting on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.
Where: Baton Rouge, LA
What We Love: Black-and-white checkerboard flooring and floor-to-ceiling windows give the space a festive, New Orleans-style air.
Book It: From $1,000, louisianaoldstatecapitol.org
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The Guggenheim Estate at Sands Point Preserve
If you're looking for ocean views with regal comfort, then try this massive estate, once home to the Guggenheim family and comprised of several castle-like mansions that overlook the Long Island Sound.
Where: Port Washington, NY
What We Love: The versatility of this property is endless—reserve the entire ground floor of Hempstead House for up to 300 guests. Or choose the Rose Garden located behind this Tudor-style mansion for a warm-weather affair. For a smaller celebration, the medieval great hall of Castle Gould can seat 100.
Book It: From $3,500 (Castle Gould) and $8,000 (Hempstead House), thesandspointpreserve.com
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Joslyn Castle
The 35-room Scottish-influenced property surrounded in lush foliage allows weddings to take over its grounds and first two floors (with furniture setup included in the rental package).
Where: Omaha, NE
What We Love: The shaded front porch calls for preceremony sippers or postceremony cocktails.
Book It: From $1,600, joslyncastle.com
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Cherokee Castle & Ranch
The indoor architecture at Cherokee Castle, including the Great Hall's soaring window arches and the building's intricate cut-stone walls, rival the natural panorama that the Rocky Mountains provide. Three on-property venues are available for weddings of 250 guests or less, with cozy fires and local catering that will keep your celebration an intimate one.
Where: Sedalia, CO
What We Love: Afternoon tea and whiskey tastings are just two ways to pass the time.
Book It: From $7,000, cherokeeranch.org
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Coral Castle
Coral Castle, built from 1,100 tons of the local rock, was constructed by hand over 28 years. Edward Leedskalnin erected the structure singlehandedly in memory of his bride-to-be, who called off their celebration one day before they were set to marry. Today, the castle does not stand in vain; rather, it's a site where couples make their relationships official.
Where: Homestead, FL
What We Love: The Floridian venue shares an area code with livelier Miami, so guests can enjoy beach pastimes and citified to-dos before taking a step back in time for the celebration.
Book It: From $900, coralcastle.com
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Edsel & Eleanor Ford House
Rather than the castle's interior, the Ford House prides itself on the carefully cultivated exterior crafted by famed landscape artist and conservationist Jens Jensen. It is on these grounds that couples can wed.
Where: Grosse Pointe Shores, MI
What We Love: "Bird Island," the property's peninsula created from a sandbar in Lake St. Clair, is home to wildflowers and birds, which can be heard singing throughout the property.
Book It: From $25,000, fordhouse.org
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Pythian Castle
Just over 100 years old, this Gothic Revival style home was built out of Carthage limestone by a fraternal order known as the Knights of Pythias. It was first completed in 1913, and has since changed owners multiple times. Due to its remarkably rich legacy, Pythian Castle is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Where: Springfield, MO
What We Love: Very few modifications have been made to the exterior of the castle, and the original ballroom and theater remain intact.
Book It: Ceremony & Reception package from $1,500, pythiancastle.com
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Rhodes Hall
Built in 1904, Atlanta's historic "Castle on Peachtree" is a Romanesque Revival style mansion with a traditional Victorian interior. Worth noting is the series of stained glass windows that rise above a carved mahogany grand staircase. Be sure to experience the view of the city from the roof (and snap a romantic photo) as well.
Where: Atlanta, GA
What We Love: Receptions can be held both indoors and outdoors—the front porch provides a 16 by 14-foot dance floor space that looks out onto the elegant lawn.
Book It: 4-hour event from $2,500, rhodeshall.org
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Rosecliff
Modeled after the Grand Trianon, a baroque pavilion in Versailles built as a getaway for King Louis XIV, Rosecliff was completed in 1902. It was the site of many lavish social gatherings, including a fairy-tale dinner and a party featuring magician Harry Houdini. The house has also appeared in many films, including The Great Gatsby, True Lies, and 27 Dresses.
Where: Newport, RI
What We Love: Inside, the heart-shaped staircase provides a perfect frame for couple photos, and the French-style ballroom has a trompe-l'oeil ceiling of painted clouds. Outside, the canopied terrace boasts fabulous ocean views.
Book It: 4-hour event from $7,500, newportmansions.org
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Skylands Manor
Run by Frungillo Caterers
Located on 100 acres of formal botanical gardens, this fifty-four room, granite Tudor Revival mansion is ideal for larger weddings. The gardens can accommodate up to 600 guests, the ballroom up to 220, and the castle up to 300 attendees.
Where: Ringwood, NJ
What We Love: A private chapel overlooking Shepherd Lake is the perfect place to say your vows.
Book It: From $125 per guest, frungillo.com
