Destination weddings in the USA: Guest Guide to Charleston, Maui, Nashville & More

Getting there: Charleston International (CHS) is 20 minutes from downtown.
Car needed: Not usually
Activity prices: Mid-range
Group favorites: historic horse-drawn carriage tour; lowcountry food walking tour; fort Sumter ferry and tour

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Maui

Wailea, Kapalua & Paia · best April to May, September to November

Volcano sunrises, the Road to Hana, snorkeling with turtles and whales in winter. West Maui is still recovering from the 2023 Lahaina fire, so please visit respectfully.

Getting there: Kahului airport (OGG) is 30 minutes from Wailea and about 1 hour from Kapalua.
Car needed: Mostly yes, or book drivers
Activity prices: Mid-range
Group favorites: road to Hana guided tour; haleakalā sunrise tour; molokini crater snorkel trip

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee · best April to May, September to October

Live music every night, hot chicken, honky-tonks and a growing food scene. Nashville is easy to reach, walkable downtown, and guests never run out of things to do.

Getting there: Nashville International (BNA) is about 15 minutes from downtown, with direct flights from most US cities.
Car needed: Mostly yes, or book drivers
Activity prices: Budget-friendly
Group favorites: grand Ole Opry show; broadway honky-tonk and live music pub crawl; nashville food tour with hot chicken

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Asheville

Asheville & the Blue Ridge · best April to June, September to early November

Blue Ridge Mountains, the Biltmore Estate, waterfalls and one of America's best small-city food and beer scenes. The area is still recovering from Hurricane Helene in 2024, and most favorites have reopened.

Getting there: Asheville Regional (AVL) is 20 minutes from downtown. Charlotte (CLT) is about 2 hours.
Car needed: Mostly yes, or book drivers
Activity prices: Mid-range
Group favorites: biltmore Estate visit; asheville brewery tour; downtown food tour

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Lake Tahoe

North & South Lake Tahoe · best June to September, December to March for snow

A giant alpine lake with granite beaches, pine forests and mountain towns. Summer means boats and hiking, winter means skiing.

Getting there: Reno-Tahoe (RNO) is about 1 hour away. Sacramento (SMF) is 2 hours.
Car needed: Mostly yes, or book drivers
Activity prices: Mid-range
Group favorites: emerald Bay cruise; clear kayak or paddleboard tour; heavenly Gondola ride

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Napa Valley

Napa, Yountville & St. Helena · best April to June, September to November

Thirty miles of vineyards from Napa town to Calistoga, Michelin dining in Yountville and hot springs at the north end.

Getting there: San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) are about 1h15 away. Sonoma County airport (STS) is 40 minutes.
Car needed: Not usually
Activity prices: Pricier
Group favorites: napa Valley Wine Train with lunch; napa wine tour with three tastings; bike and wine tour

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana · best February to May, October to November

Jazz on every corner, Creole cooking, oak-lined streetcar routes and bayous just outside town. Second lines are part of many weddings here.

Getting there: Louis Armstrong International (MSY) is 25 minutes from the French Quarter.
Car needed: Not usually
Activity prices: Budget-friendly
Group favorites: swamp and bayou boat tour; french Quarter history walking tour; ghost and voodoo walking tour

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Sedona

Sedona, Arizona · best March to May, September to November

Red rock buttes, desert sunsets, vortex hikes and dark night skies. The Grand Canyon is a day trip away.

Getting there: Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) is about 2 hours by car. Flagstaff (FLG) is 45 minutes.
Car needed: Mostly yes, or book drivers
Activity prices: Mid-range
Group favorites: red rock jeep tour; vortex and meditation tour; grand Canyon day trip

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

Savannah

Savannah, Georgia · best March to May, October to November

Twenty-two leafy squares, Spanish moss, Southern food and Tybee Island beach half an hour away.

Getting there: Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) is 20 minutes from the historic district.
Car needed: Not usually
Activity prices: Budget-friendly
Group favorites: hop-on hop-off trolley tour; historic squares walking tour; ghost tour of America's most haunted city

Things to do · Weekend itinerary · Where to stay · Welcome dinner

At a glance

	Charleston	Maui	Nashville	Asheville	Lake Tahoe	Napa Valley	New Orleans	Sedona	Savannah
Best season	March to June, September to November	April to May, September to November	April to May, September to October	April to June, September to early November	June to September, December to March for snow	April to June, September to November	February to May, October to November	March to May, September to November	March to May, October to November
Car needed?	Not usually	Mostly yes	Mostly yes	Mostly yes	Mostly yes	Not usually	Not usually	Mostly yes	Not usually
Activity prices	Mid-range	Mid-range	Budget-friendly	Mid-range	Mid-range	Pricier	Budget-friendly	Mid-range	Budget-friendly
Relaxed activities	7	5	6	5	5	4	5	3	7
Foodie activities	3	3	4	3	3	6	3	3	3
Adventure activities	3	5	4	5	6	4	4	6	4
Full-day trips	1	2	1	2	1	5	1	2	1

Good to know for guests in the USA

Currency: US dollar (USD).
Tipping: Expected: 18 to 22% in restaurants. Large groups often get an automatic gratuity.
Dinner time: Dinner usually from 6 to 9 pm. Popular restaurants book up weeks ahead.
Group dinners: Ask for a private dining room or a prix fixe menu for groups over 10.
Power plugs: Type A and B plugs, 120 V.
Entry rules: Passport and visa rules depend on nationality. Ask guests to check their own government's travel advice early.

Comparisons

Bali vs Maui Charleston vs Savannah Napa Valley vs Tuscany Asheville vs Lake Tahoe Lake Tahoe vs Sedona Charleston vs New Orleans Napa Valley vs Sedona Cabo vs Maui Costa Rica vs Maui Nashville vs New Orleans Charleston vs Nashville Asheville vs Nashville

Questions couples ask

Where is the best place for a destination wedding in the USA?

It depends on your guests. Best for relaxed guests: Charleston (7 relaxed activities on our list). Best for foodie guests: Napa Valley (6 foodie activities on our list). Best for adventure guests: Lake Tahoe (6 adventure activities on our list). Easiest on guest budgets: Savannah (activities skew cheaper than elsewhere in the country). Easiest without a car: Charleston (guests can get around on foot, by boat or by taxi). Best for guests staying longer: Napa Valley (5 full-day trips nearby).

When is the best time for a wedding in the USA?

Charleston: March to June, September to November. Maui: April to May, September to November. Nashville: April to May, September to October. Asheville: April to June, September to early November. Lake Tahoe: June to September, December to March for snow. Napa Valley: April to June, September to November. New Orleans: February to May, October to November. Sedona: March to May, September to November. Savannah: March to May, October to November.

Do wedding guests need to tip in the USA?

Expected: 18 to 22% in restaurants. Large groups often get an automatic gratuity.

What time is dinner in the USA?

Dinner usually from 6 to 9 pm. Popular restaurants book up weeks ahead.

What currency and plugs do guests need in the USA?

US dollar (USD). Type A and B plugs, 120 V.

What should guests budget for a wedding in the USA?

Flights and accommodation are usually the biggest costs, followed by meals and activities. Our free destination wedding guest budget calculator adds it all up per person and per day.

Plan the costs: guest budget calculator · how to set up a room block · guest etiquette

Getting married in the USA?

Make a free guest page with day plans, tours, restaurants and a map for your wedding weekend.

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