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  4. 28 City Wedding Ideas That Pay Homage to Your Urban Location
Martha Stewart Weddings

28 City Wedding Ideas That Pay Homage to Your Urban Location

chloe gorman bio martha stewart weddings
By Chloe Gorman
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couple on new york public library steps
Credit: Katie Grant Photography

Play up your metropolitan locale with these details.

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couple kissing with pink smokebomb
Credit: Elkin Cardona

While many couples love a quiet backyard or garden ceremony, some prefer the hustle and bustle of a city wedding. If you're in the midst of planning an urban event—or are dreaming of one—know that there are plenty of ways to play up your celebration's location. Whether you're throwing your big day in a big city or want to bring a bit of metropolitan life into your wedding's décor, there's a city-inspired wedding idea for you here.

Feel free to incorporate this theme in any capacity—big or small. For those looking for a subtle way to evoke a city vibe on their big day, we suggest setting an elegant tablescape or adding a graphic skyline to your paper goods. If you want to make the most of your urban destination, make like this couple who took to the city streets of New York for their wedding photos. They also brought along a pink smoke bomb for a splash of color and personality.

Even if you're still on the fence about where to have your wedding, we think the following photos from real celebrations will leave you with big-city dreams. From gorgeous rooftop views and iconic landmarks to regal venues in the heart of the city, there's an idea here that's bound to inspire you. To show you what we mean, we've rounded up some of our favorite city wedding ideas—both subtle and obvious. By the time you're finished clicking through, you'll have a better grasp on how to interpret your metropolitan theme.

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City Seating Chart

seating chart with cities
Credit: Kurt Boomer Photography

This couple asked Iron Grace Rentals to incorporate their favorite cities onto this custom seating chart.

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Modern Skyline

invitation suite with chicago skyline
Credit: Kristin La Voie Photography

Ijorere put a modern and moody spin on the Chicago skyline by splashing this invitation suite with navy blue watercolor paint.

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Rooftop

lilly-sean-wedding-view-00309-s112089-0815.jpg
Credit: Trent Bailey Photography

The 620 Loft and Garden, located on the roof deck of Rockefeller Center, gave attendees a priceless view of New York City's surroundings during this couple's ceremony.

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Regal Setting

pink and gold place setting
Credit: Rebecca Yale Photography

A city wedding called for a place setting that was dripping in gold, like this one from Casa de Perrin.

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Atlanta Skyline

save the date with city skyline
Credit: Amy Arrington Photography

Hi Note incorporated the Atlanta skyline on the save-the-dates for this urban event.

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Taxi Portraits

couple kissing in taxi cab
Credit: Ahmet Ze

This couple took their big-day portraits in a taxi cab after their New York City nuptials.

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City Table Numbers

zurich table number
Credit: Bonnie Sen Photography

Each table was named after a different city at this reception. To mark each spot, Type A Invitations and Edge Floral Designers worked together to create each stations' numbers.

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Candles

bride walking up new york public library steps
Credit: Christian Oth Studio

Candles lit up the stairs of the New York Public Library and provided a perfect (and ethereal!) backdrop for wedding photos.

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Taxi Details

mini taxi cab on place setting
Credit: Jessica Schmitt Photography

To pay homage to the wedding's New York City locale, tiny gold taxi cabs sat on each place setting.

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Golden Gate Bridge

wedding ceremony site
Credit: Carrie Patterson

You don't have to be in the heart of your favorite city to experience its beauty. Just look to this ceremony. The trees were just high enough to reveal the Golden Gate Bridge—a San Francisco icon.

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Welcome Sign

welcome sign with chicago skyline
Credit: Kristin La Voie Photography

Welcome your guests to your wedding with a sign that nods to your urban location. Ijorere did that here by painting the Chicago skyline on this piece of big-day décor.

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Sightseeing

couple walking through streets of san francisco
Credit: onelove photography

Tying the knot in your favorite city? Make like this couple, who, after exchanging vows at the Julia Morgan Ballroom, wandered through their favorite streets post-ceremony.

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Modern Venue

wedding reception space with modern chandeliers
Credit: Rebekah J. Murray Photography

While you can bring plenty of your own modern touches to your reception, it helps when your city venue does a lot of the heavy lifting. The Sequoia in Washington D.C. served up major contemporary, urban vibes thanks to their intricate chandeliers.

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See-Through Arch

wedding chandelier outdoor ceremony structure with greenery
Credit: Jose Villa

A wrought-iron ceremony arch elevated this space without obstructing guests' views of the city behind it.

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Landmark Backdrop

couple on new york public library steps
Credit: Katie Grant Photography

This couple visited many New York City landmarks during their elopement—you might want to do the same if you decide to spontaneously marry in a new city—but this photo of them on the steps of the New York Public Library was particularly striking.

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NYC Skyline

couple standing in front of new york city skyline
Credit: Cynthia Chung Weddings

Searching for the ideal backdrop for your city wedding photos? These newlyweds found theirs in the iconic New York City vista.

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Sail Away

laura john wedding massachusetts ferry
Credit: Edward Winter / READYLUCK

The best views of a coastal city's skylines are visible on the water. That's why this couple, who tied the knot in Boston, transported their guests from the ceremony to the reception by boat.

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Historical

Long Reception Table with Red Flower Arrangements
Credit: Adam Barnes

Though they're often the centers of innovation, cities also have so much history—this means your cosmopolitan wedding doesn't always have to feel modern. Take this reception, which took place inside The National Headquarters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, for example. The event's understated décor didn't take away from the property's architecture—which is some of the oldest in Washington, D.C.

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Garden

texas wedding set up ceremony
Credit: Josh and Dana Fernandez

Although the surrounding greenery and romantic floral arch made this Houston ceremony feel like a secret garden, the skyscraper in the background still brought urban vibes.

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Elegant Location

cat denis wedding reception tables
Credit: Jessica Lorren Photography

The elaborate columns and lofty ceilings at the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum evoked a high-society, city feel at this couple's reception.

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Hometown Ties

kristy-eliot-rw1112-0539.jpg
Credit: Braedon Photography

To bring a bit of New York to their California nuptials, this duo "hailed" an old-fashion taxi cab for their grand exit.

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City Lounge

texas wedding lounge urban scenery
Credit: Josh and Dana Fernandez

Guests were treated to hors d'oeuvres and cocktails on a garden patio that overlooked the city of Houston.

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Observation Deck

epic wedding photos jen huang
Credit: Jen Huang

This daring couple ventured to the "Top of the Rock," located on the top floor of Rockefeller Center in New York City, to snap these one-of-a-kind wedding photos.

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Signature Drink Name

cocktails and menu
Credit: Kate Headley

During their cocktail hour, this couple offered Manhattans as an unexpected reference to the Big Apple.

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Envelope Liner

dark blue vintage invites with envelope flap map illustration
Credit: Clean Plate Pictures

To drive home the "Old New York" theme of this duo's event, Manifest Events used a vintage map of New York City in the suite's envelope liner.

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Gold-Trimmed

gold-trimmed place setting
Credit: Deborah Zoe Photography

These gold-trimmed plates (styled by Les Fleurs!) added a dose of elegance to muted tablecloths that would live up to any upscale city's standards.

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City-Inspired

haylie brad wedding reception tent
Credit: A Bryan Photo

Although their wedding took place in New Orleans, this duo brought a bit of Paris to their reception with this dessert bar inspired by Laudrée.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 28
    2 of 28 City Seating Chart
    3 of 28 Modern Skyline
    4 of 28 Rooftop
    5 of 28 Regal Setting
    6 of 28 Atlanta Skyline
    7 of 28 Taxi Portraits
    8 of 28 City Table Numbers
    9 of 28 Candles
    10 of 28 Taxi Details
    11 of 28 Golden Gate Bridge
    12 of 28 Welcome Sign
    13 of 28 Sightseeing
    14 of 28 Modern Venue
    15 of 28 See-Through Arch
    16 of 28 Landmark Backdrop
    17 of 28 NYC Skyline
    18 of 28 Sail Away
    19 of 28 Historical
    20 of 28 Garden
    21 of 28 Elegant Location
    22 of 28 Hometown Ties
    23 of 28 City Lounge
    24 of 28 Observation Deck
    25 of 28 Signature Drink Name
    26 of 28 Envelope Liner
    27 of 28 Gold-Trimmed
    28 of 28 City-Inspired

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