Inside My Wedding Venue Wishlist: 10 Spectacular Places to Say “I Do”
After five years as a wedding photographer, I’ve had the privilege of photographing celebrations in a wide range of venues, each with its own character and charm. As social media continues to introduce me to breathtaking locations around the world, my creative curiosity keeps growing and so does my desire to photograph in new, inspiring spaces. Below are ten dream wedding venues I would love to shoot at. Each one is not only visually stunning, but also an incredible place to host a truly unforgettable wedding.
The Howey Mansion reception
1. The Madonna Inn — San Luis Obispo, California
If you’re even considering getting married at the Madonna Inn, congratulations, you’re already my kind of people. I’m a wedding photographer who lives for color, personality, and a little irreverence. And if I could move into the Madonna Inn permanently, I would’ve unpacked yesterday.
From a color-loving, personality-driven photographer’s perspective? Absolute heaven.
Why the Madonna Inn is wedding gold:
Color everywhere (no boring neutrals in sight)
Wildly unique rooms for getting-ready photos
Iconic portrait locations (that sign alone deserves its own gallery)
Blue and pink tennis courts that are begging for drone shots
Why I Want to Photograph Your Madonna Inn Wedding
Traditional, timeless weddings are beautiful, but the ones I’m obsessed with are the ones that break the script.
Madonna Inn is built for couples who want their guests to say, “Oh my god, this is SO them.”
Elopements in your themed room? I’ll bring the flash and the film.
Full-weekend parties with your favorite weirdos? Say less.
Pink dresses, cowboy boots, disco balls? PLEASE.
If you’re planning a Madonna Inn wedding, consider this your photographer’s love letter, planning guide, and let’s-make-magic moment all in one.
📍 San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
2. The Dive Motel - East Nashville, Tennessee
Picture this: a restored 1950s motor inn with original 70s wallpaper, wood paneling, a disco ball in every room, and a party switch that turns on the music and lights at the flip of a single switch.
Yeah. A party switch.
The Dive Motel is a piece of Nashville history. This place hosted legends like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton back in the day, and it still drips with that raw, rock-and-roll energy. The rooms feel like a morning-after music video. The pool area has serious 70s throwback vibes. And there's a dive bar and diner on-site that looks like something straight out of a dream.
For a wedding or elopement shoot here, I'm imagining moody, atmospheric portraits with fog and flash, poolside moments soaked in golden light, and a reception that feels like the coolest after-party in the city.
📍 1414 Dickerson Pike, Nashville, TN 37207
3. Sure Thing Wedding Chapel — Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas elopements are my thing, and Sure Thing Chapel is at the very top of my Vegas list.
It's got that perfect vintage Vegas feel, mid-century modern details, a pink heart altar that gives major retro game-show energy, and an overall vibe that's equal parts charming and gloriously over-the-top. Oh, and they offer a burlesque show as a ceremony add-on, which is genuinely one of the most fun things I've ever seen at a wedding. Hands down. Vegas weddings are supposed to feel spontaneous, joyful, and completely yours, and Sure Thing Chapel nails all of that. Between the chapel itself, the iconic Elvis experience (pink Cadillac and all), and the city's energy, there is so much to work with here.
📍 Downtown Las Vegas, NV
4. Westwood | Vowery & Estate — Westfield, Indiana
Westwood is a beautifully designed estate venue thats set to open spring 2026. Surrounded by woods and a lake, perfect for couples who want a refined setting without losing warmth or personality.
The space was curated specifically for weddings, blending modern architecture with classic details. The natural light alone makes this venue a dream to photograph.
Highlights include:
A grand atrium entrance
The Vowery: a conservatory-style ceremony space with lake views
Indoor and outdoor cocktail areas
A sleek, light-filled reception hall
But here's what really caught my eye: they have a speakeasy-style space called Henry's, complete with a full bar, a pool table, a cigar lounge, and an outdoor fire pit. Whether you're keeping it intimate or going all out for 500 guests, this place makes it work.
📍 Westfield, IN | 46074
5. Fairmont Grand Del Mar - San Diego, California
Okay, this one is a little aspirational. I won't pretend otherwise. But sometimes the dream venues are the ones worth putting on the list.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar is a stunning Mediterranean-style resort with event spaces that genuinely rival anything I've ever seen. We're talking a canyon terrace with golf course views, a grand ballroom with 18-foot ceilings, a chapel-style space called Capella with vaulted architecture and stained glass, and an outdoor social area with bocce courts and multi-level entertaining. The whole property flows from indoor to outdoor like it was designed for it — because it was. With over 20,000 square feet of space and multiple ceremony and reception options from grand lawns to elegant ballrooms, it’s one of the most versatile wedding venues in San Diego.
Southern California golden hour at a property like this? That's the stuff photography dreams are made of.
📍 Del Mar, San Diego, CA
6. Laurel Hall — Indianapolis, Indiana
Laurel Hall is one of those venues that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another era in the best possible way. Known as an “American Castle,” this historic Indianapolis mansion is full of vintage charm, architectural drama, and the kind of details that photographers quietly lose their minds over.
Stained glass windows. Ornate mantelpieces. Grand staircases. Six acres of manicured grounds. It’s elegant without feeling stuffy and historic without feeling dark or dated. From a photography standpoint, it’s a dream:
Multiple indoor spaces that actually photograph differently
Beautiful natural light paired with moody architectural moments
Outdoor ceremony options that feel classic and romantic
Enough room to breathe, relax, and let the day unfold naturally
Laurel Hall is perfect for couples who love timeless elegance but still want their wedding to feel personal and intentional, not cookie-cutter.
📍 Indianapolis, IN
7. Conservatory at Evergreen — Indianapolis, Indiana
There’s something incredibly special about a wedding at the Conservatory at Evergreen. It’s modern, serene, and surrounded by nature in a way that feels both elevated and grounding.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls. A lake. Set on 23 acres just minutes from downtown Indianapolis, the Conservatory at Evergreen offers:
A stunning glass venue with year-round views
Outdoor ceremony spaces surrounded by nature
Cabins, a bridal cottage, and even a 100-year-old log cabin
A peaceful, woodland escape without leaving the city
This venue is for couples who want modern elegance, natural beauty, and a wedding day that feels calm, intentional, and deeply emotional. For photography, this place is a dream. The natural light filtering through the forest, golden hour by the lake, the contrast between the sleek modern glass and the raw wilderness around it, it's the setting where the photos just feel different.
📍 Indianapolis, IN
8. Cielo Farms — Malibu, California
Cielo Farms isn’t just a venue—it’s an experience.
Tucked into the rolling hills of Malibu, surrounded by vineyards and sweeping canyon views, Cielo feels like stepping into a dream that’s equal parts relaxed and refined. It’s the kind of place where time slows down the moment you arrive.
Rustic stone buildings, wildflowers lining the pathways, and panoramic views of the surrounding hills make every corner feel cinematic. Ceremony options range from intimate garden moments to wide-open vineyard views, while receptions flow beautifully from golden-hour light into twinkling evening celebrations. Couples who choose Cielo often describe wanting a sophisticated wedding without being stiff, and that balance is exactly what this place does best. Add in a team that’s thoughtful, attentive, and deeply invested in the experience, and you’ve got something special.
As the sun sets and lights come on, guests gather around fire pits, glasses clink, and the whole place glows. It’s romantic without trying too hard.
From a photographer’s perspective? The light, the textures, the open sky, it’s magic.
📍 Malibu, CA
9. The Little Nell — Aspen, Colorado
If you're dreaming of a mountain wedding, The Little Nell is hard to beat.
This resort has been a premier wedding destination in Aspen since 1989, and it's easy to see why. It's nestled right in the Rocky Mountains with a stunning backdrop of the Elk Mountain Range, the kind of view that makes guests forget to breathe. Whether you want something intimate for 20 people or a grand celebration for up to 500, The Little Nell can scale to fit, all while keeping that warm, luxurious mountain feel. Winter wedding? Summer wedding? Either way, the light and the landscape here are absolutely incredible. I'm picturing ceremonies at the foot of Aspen Mountain, portraits with that dramatic alpine backdrop, and the kind of photos that make everyone back home jealous they weren't there.
📍 Aspen, CO
10. Sea Ranch Lodge - Northern California Coast
Perched along the Northern California coast, surrounded by cliffs, meadows, and endless Pacific views, Sea Ranch feels deeply connected to the land. It’s serene, architectural, and incredibly intentional.
What makes Sea Ranch special is its range of experiences:
Oceanfront meadows for sweeping ceremonies
Intimate decks and lounges for smaller gatherings
Cliffside spaces with uninterrupted horizon views
Indoor rooms filled with light, warmth, and coastal calm
Whether you’re planning a micro wedding, a tented celebration, or a weekend-long gathering complete with glamping, Sea Ranch lets you create something immersive and personal.
This venue is perfect for couples who value nature, design, and experiences that feel grounded and soulful. It’s less about spectacle and more about presence, and that’s where the most meaningful photographs come from.
📍 Northern California Coast
So… Is It You?
If you're getting married at any of these venues or, honestly, anywhere that has personality, incredible light, and a couple who isn't afraid to be themselves, I want to hear from you.
I'm based in Indianapolis, but I travel everywhere for the right couples. Whether it's a full wedding, an elopement, or a weekend celebration that doubles as an adventure, I'm in.
These venues are on my list for a reason. They're the kind of places where the photos don't just document a wedding — they tell a story. And telling stories is what I do.
Let's talk. → Visit Tay Kincaid Photo to view my portfolio and get in touch. I'd love to be part of your special day.
