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Great Wedding Reception Venues on the East Coast

Martha Stewart Weddings

Great Wedding Reception Venues on the East Coast

July 27, 2011

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Credit: Brianna Stello

From Maine to Florida and everywhere in the middle.

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Credit: Brianna Stello

The East Coast is as beautiful as it is diverse, spanning from the top of Maine to the tip of Florida. Covering plenty of ground in both the North and the South, it's a popular region to get married in. Whether you're a native to the area, have family nearby, or just love to visit a certain spot along the Atlantic, an East Coast wedding may be right for you.

With its thick forests, sprawling shorelines, mountain ranges, and famous cities, the East appeals to nearly every sort of vision, be it rustic, modern, classic, or a mix. For a warm, intimate wedding, check out the one of the many East Coast barns. For something elegant and oceanside, consider tying the knot at a seaside resort. There are cool hotels for contemporary couples, museums and gardens with cultural appeal, and older venues with plenty of history—see, we told you, diverse! No matter the size of your nuptial affair or the type of wedding you hope to have, the East Coast has plenty to offer when it comes to gorgeous event spaces.

Interested in planning an eastern celebration in one of the coastline's 15 states? Ahead, some of our favorite options, from real weddings and the pages of our magazine. Click through for a list of top places to book for your wedding reception and cocktail hour.

The Cedar Room, Charleston, South Carolina

The Cedar Room, which is located in Charleston's historic Cigar Factory, is a bright and airy space with ample space to spare. Rustic brick, large windows, wooden columns, and hardwood floors bring plenty of character to the venue.

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The Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels, Maryland

Credit: Courtesy of the Inn at Perry Cabin

Go Inside a Wedding Held at This Location

The Inn at Perry Cabin sits on the Chesapeake Bay, so coastal charm is a given. Indoor spaces are available to couples, as are the acres of gorgeous gardens. Guests can also lodge at the hotel, making planning even easier. Do you recognize this famous facade? It was a filming location for Wedding Crashers.

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DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln, Massachusetts

Credit: Bob Arcand

See More Sculpture Wedding Venues

DeCordova Sculpture Park is where art and weddings combine. Host your reception in the park itself amidst the gorgeous, intriguing installations, but head up to the Rappaport Roof Terrace for a cocktail hour with a view first.

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Overlook Barn, Banner Elk, North Carolina

The Overlook Barn is a rustic venue that was renovated specifically with weddings in mind. For an outdoor reception, use Mary's Meadow, where the mountain backdrop can't be beat.

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Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport, Maine

Credit: Courtesy of Hidden Pond

For a woodsy wedding, try Hidden Pond. The window-lined Event Barn has open ceilings and enough space for 80 wedding guests.

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Handsome Hollow, Long Eddy, New York

Handsome Hollow is a 93-acre property with trails, springs, blueberry fields, and more. The barn was first built over 200 years ago, and has since been beautifully remodeled.

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Sassafras Fork Farm, Rougemont, North Carolina

Credit: Heather Payne

See More from This Rustic Wedding

Sassafras Fork Farm is a modest, family-owned property with pastures of livestock and crops of produce. The gorgeous flower fields aren't just pretty—they're the inspiration behind the farm's floral design services.

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Storm King Art Center, New Windsor, New York

Credit: Jerry L. Thompson

Storm King, a Hudson Valley sculpture park, is just an hour from New York City. Striking exhibitions and a pastoral landscape give the space its beauty.

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Riverside on the Potomac, Leesburg, Virginia

Credit: Jodi & Kurt Photography

Go Inside This Farm Wedding

Riverside on the Potomac has multiple wedding venues. The Historic Bank Barn and Waterfall Terrace and Patio are two pretty options for standard receptions, while the Long Stable Gallery can accommodate smaller ones.

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Cliff House, Cape Neddick, Maine

Credit: Courtesy of Cliff House

Cliff House's grounds overlook the Atlantic Ocean, so breathtaking views are a given. For cocktail hour, try the Cape Neddick Salon, which includes an outdoor terrace. Then move into the Atlantic Ballroom for a reception with views of the water.

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Ram's Head Inn, Shelter Island, New York

Credit: Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Go Inside This Nature-Inspired Wedding

Head to beautiful Shelter Island and tie the knot at the Ram's Head Inn. With its own private beach, a waterfront gazebo, a large front lawn, and, of course, the inn itself, there's plenty of room to spread out. The venue prides itself on its beauty and seclusion, so you can be sure your wedding will take place far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

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Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

See More from This Metallic Wedding

Kid-friendly museum by day, fun and beautiful event space by night. The carousel is just the start of Please Touch Museum's appeal. The venue is located in Memorial Hall, which was practically built to be in wedding photos.

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Vinegar Hill Music Theatre, Arundel, Maine

Credit: Courtesy of Vinegar Hill Music Theatre

Vinegar Hill is intimate and historic, and typically hosts local musical talent. Book the barn, which has wrought-iron chandeliers, or use the patio area, which has its own hand-built bar.

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The NoMad Hotel, New York, New York

Credit: Heather Waraksa

Go Inside This Spring Wedding

We love the NoMad Hotel for its classy design and prime city location. The rooftop features indoor and outdoor space, plus skyline views and lush landscaping.

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MASS MoCA, North Adams, Massachusetts

Credit: Cambria Grace Photography

See More from This Nontraditional Wedding

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is a renovated factory with a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. While the collection's always changing, the event potential stays the same—the galleries, lobby, courtyards, and buildings each have their own personality.

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Meridian House, Washington, D.C.

Credit: Abby Jiu Photography

Some consider the Meridian House the best example of French architecture in the United States. It sits beside a grove of linden trees and cocktail hour-worthy gardens, and the spaces inside are both elegant and refined—perfect for a formal wedding.

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Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Key Largo, Florida

Credit: Courtesy of Playa Largo Resort & Spa

Book Playa Largo's ballroom for Keys-style glamour—it has panoramic views and courtyards, too. There's also a pool terrace, beachfront areas, and tree-filled lawns for outdoor weddings.

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Newagen Seaside Inn, Southport, Maine

Credit: Jodi & Kurt Photography

Go Inside This Nautical Wedding

Marry your partner right on the water at Newagen Seaside Inn. After tying the knot outdoors with Boothbay Harbor as your backdrop, take your reception to the oceanfront restaurant, where the views never cease. Guests can also stay on the property, which simplifies planning for accommodations.

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Crooked River, Hiltons, Virginia

Credit: Courtesy of Crooked River

Receptions at Crooked River are held at the historic Ohio Grist Mill. The structure, which was built in the early 1800s, is warmly lit and offers a rustic ambiance.

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The Marker Waterfront Resort, Key West, Florida

Credit: Courtesy of The Marker Waterfront Resort

The Marker Waterfront Resort is especially charming thanks to its Old Town architecture. Use the wraparound veranda for your cocktail hour, then migrate to the Harbor House Ballroom for dinner and dancing.

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The Hartford Club, Hartford, Connecticut

Credit: Orchard Cove Photography

The Hartford Club is the oldest private social club in the area. Built in the 1800s, it's paneled in dark wood and embellished with grand fireplaces, original chandeliers, and a gilded ceiling.

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The Bowery Hotel, New York, New York

The effortlessly cool vibes of the downtown Bowery Hotel will undoubtedly rub off on any and all celebrations held here. The vintage-y second floor, with its large private terrace, has hosted album-release parties and swanky benefits. Coming up: your killer reception.

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St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art, St. Petersburg, Florida

At the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art, choose from a giant glass conservatory, Spanish-style gardens, or a classic ballroom with 22-foot-high ceilings for your event. Before the festivities begin, your guests can wander around admiring all the artwork.

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Studio 450, New York, New York

Studio 450 is a whitewashed, split-level loft space that provides couples with a chic blank canvas overlooking the Hudson River on Manhattan's West Side.

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Wainright House, Rye, New York

Francophiles, listen up! There's a little bit of France just 40 minutes north of New York City. Wainwright House, modeled after a stately French chateau, is a tres chic wedding location with vistas across Milton Harbor to the Marshlands Conservancy.

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Metropolitan Building, Long Island City, New York

Originally built as an electrical-parts factory, the Metropolitan Building was converted to an event venue in 1980. It's a highly customizable space with a wide range of rooms, including a piano bar lounge, a lofty expanse with 14-foot ceilings, and a mirrored salon.

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New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York

See More Botanical Garden Wedding Venues

Thanks to its many different gardens, the New York Botanical Garden can provide a stunning organic backdrop to celebrations ranging from bohemian to buttoned-up.

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Riverside Yacht Club, Riverside, Connecticut

Your classy reception will be smooth sailing at the private, harbor-front Riverside Yacht Club on Long Island Sound.

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New York Academy of Sciences, New York, New York

Located in downtown Manhattan, the New York Academy of Sciences offers a 40th-floor event space with breathtaking views of the New York City skyline. Perfect for a green wedding, this is a gold-certified LEED building.

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Great Wedding Reception Venues on the East Coast

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The Cedar Room, Charleston, South Carolina

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The Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michaels, Maryland

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DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln, Massachusetts

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Overlook Barn, Banner Elk, North Carolina

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Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport, Maine

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Handsome Hollow, Long Eddy, New York

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Sassafras Fork Farm, Rougemont, North Carolina

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Storm King Art Center, New Windsor, New York

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Riverside on the Potomac, Leesburg, Virginia

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Cliff House, Cape Neddick, Maine

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Ram's Head Inn, Shelter Island, New York

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Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Vinegar Hill Music Theatre, Arundel, Maine

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The NoMad Hotel, New York, New York

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MASS MoCA, North Adams, Massachusetts

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Meridian House, Washington, D.C.

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Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Key Largo, Florida

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Newagen Seaside Inn, Southport, Maine

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Crooked River, Hiltons, Virginia

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The Marker Waterfront Resort, Key West, Florida

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The Hartford Club, Hartford, Connecticut

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The Bowery Hotel, New York, New York

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St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art, St. Petersburg, Florida

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Studio 450, New York, New York

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Wainright House, Rye, New York

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Metropolitan Building, Long Island City, New York