Visit Martha Stewart Weddings Weddings Wedding Planning & Advice Wedding Venue Ideas 20 Wedding Venues with the Best Fall Foliage By Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber Sarah Schreiber has been writing, editing, and producing lifestyle and weddings content for over seven years. In that time, she has interviewed and worked with hundreds of leading experts to become an authority on all things homekeeping, flower arranging, home design, and wedding planning. Editorial Guidelines and Nashia Baker Nashia Baker Nashia Baker is a skilled writer and editor in the journalism industry, known for her work interviewing global thought leaders, creatives, and activists, from Aurora James to Stacey Abrams. She has over five years of professional experience and has been a part of the Martha Stewart and Martha Stewart Weddings teams for the last 3 years. Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 29, 2022 Close Photo: Courtesy of Blantyre Getting married during the fall season has many advantages, but transitional foliage has to be one of the biggest. There's nothing like a landscape caught between the summer and winter months—the scarlet, yellow, and burnt orange hues are a thrill to capture on camera. If you're searching for a venue that can provide this type of natural backdrop (just think of what the color palette can offer your wedding portraits!), you're in luck. We've rounded up several of the most picturesque sites in the country that fit the bill. While all of these venues offer unique experiences, we've included everything from classic hotels and rustic lodges to rural ranches and even distilleries. And though New England is famous for its colorful trees, states like Kentucky, California, and Utah boast some of the prettiest fall backdrops in the nation. It's important to note that not every region experiences peak fall foliage at the same time, so you'll want to coordinate with the venue to ensure that you've chosen a date that coincides with the turning of the leaves. Ready to discover all of these incredible places? Click through for your guide to the country's best wedding venues with statement-making fall foliage. 01 of 20 Inness Courtesy of INNESS Do you want to host your wedding at venue with sweeping mountain views filled with fall foliage? Then you will want to consider INNESS. It is positioned between the Catskill and Shawangunk mountains in Accord, N.Y., which also spans over 220 pastoral acres. Plus, the venue has a 4,000-square-foot event barn, which can seat up to 200 guests for a reception dinner following the outdoor ceremony with autumn-centric hues all around. 02 of 20 The Sleeping Lady Courtesy of Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort The Sleeping Lady is a resort based in the mountainous region of Leavenworth, Wash. This meaningful locale is preserved to honor its Native American roots, as Native tribes first inhabited the area dating back to the 1800s. The owners of the venue itself host scenic outdoor weddings, filled with foliage, at the Knoll—its forest trail for a seated ceremony—and at Icicle Creek—a meadow used primarily as a reception area. What Your Wedding Venue Says About You 03 of 20 New York Botanical Garden Courtesy of New York Botanical Garden Covering over 250 acres of the New York Botanical Garden landscape, couples can use this historic site in the Bronx, N.Y., to tie the knot—complete with a fall foliage backdrop. The peak season takes place in mid-November, as leaves from maple, oak, and beech tree varieties begin to transform for the season. 04 of 20 Big Cedar Lodge Courtesy of Big Cedar Lodge The Northeast may have the Appalachian Mountains, but the Midwest has the Ozarks. Located in Ridgedale, Mo., this expansive lodge gives you access to as much of this sprawling mountain range as you'd like. And whether you exchange vows nestled in a nearby meadow, on the water (the property has direct access to Table Rock Lake), or in an on-site chapel, the wedding photos you take at Big Cedar Lodge should undoubtedly feature the epic natural backdrop, which reaches peak color in late October into early November. What to Consider Before Choosing a Venue 05 of 20 Inns of Aurora Courtesy of Inns of Aurora Situated on the edges of the Finger Lakes, this collection of inns (the property boasts five residences!), is privy to some of the best fall foliage upstate New York has to offer. As for its other key attributes? Sprawling lawns, farm-to-table meals, and lakeside sunsets are just three more of the Inns of Aurora's natural (and insanely photographable) amenities. 06 of 20 The Equinox Courtesy of The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa Want to leaf-peep in one of Vermont's most idyllic towns on your big day? Then you'll want to go ahead and put this luxurious resort on your radar. Though its exterior is undoubtedly a main attraction—inquire about the Pond Pavilion, which is located at the foot of Mt. Equinox and offers unparalleled views of the surrounding foliage—the residence also offers two ballrooms. 07 of 20 Castle & Key Distillery Courtesy of Castle & Key Distillery Just in case you were wondering, you can, in fact, enjoy unparalleled autumnal views in a castle-warehouse hybrid—that is, you can if you choose Castle & Key, a restored bourbon, rye, gin, and vodka distillery, as your wedding venue. Originally founded in 1887, the Kentucky operations' current owners rescued its sunken gardens, castle, and springhouse from states of ruin. The result? An old-world-meets-industrial property that also features a surrounding botanic trail, which features a multitude of plants, flowers, and (you guessed it!) trees that turn colors with the seasons. Should You Schedule a Venue Walk-Through with Your Photographer? 08 of 20 The Stowehof Courtesy of the Stowehof Plan a wedding at this rustic, sophisticated Stowe, Vt., hotel, and you'll find yourself surrounded by over 26 acres of indelible Alpine mountain vistas. You'll also have direct access to Stowe Mountain, Stowe Village, and Mt. Mansfield State Park, so you and your guests can make the most of that wedding weekend. 09 of 20 Gedney Farm Eric Limon This rural complex, situated in the heart of western Massachusetts' Berkshires (known for its farmland, quaint villages, and foliage!), was originally modeled after the great Normandy barns of 19th-century France. The former stallion and cattle farm has since been transformed into a 16-room lodge—the original horse barn (picture the most idyllic, barn-red structure you can think of!) is now used as a wedding space. 10 of 20 Blantyre Courtesy of Blantyre Originally built in 1902, this all-seasons Tudor-style estate (modeled after and named for the original owner's ancestral home in Blantyre, Scotland) comes alive in the fall, thanks to its scenic property (Blantyre actually touts itself as a "fall foliage destination," so you can't go wrong!) and dramatic party spaces. The Lenox, Mass., property's history is a celebratory one—in its former life, the Manor House held garden parties and dinner-dances for early twentieth-century America's high society—making it an appropriate choice for weddings. 11 of 20 The Chanler at Cliff Walk Courtesy of The Chanler at Cliff Walk You wouldn't be able to tell through this photo, but The Chanler at Cliff Walk is actually an oceanside-resort (it's situated on Newport, R.I.'s Easton's Beach), which makes its landscape that much more special—you can experience the very best of both land (acres upon acres of fall foliage included!) and sea while visiting. It's also an architectural beauty. Infused with old-European charm, the original 19th-century mansion is a preserved relic of the Gilded Age. 21 Wedding Venues You Need to Know About 12 of 20 Cliff House Courtesy of Cliff House Host your wedding at Maine's Cliff House, and you'll be on the edge of it all—literally. The waterfront destination is embedded into rocky landscape. In front of you? Boundless Atlantic Ocean views. And behind you? Come October, you'll get an up-close look at some of the best fall foliage in New England (and that's really saying something!). 13 of 20 The Lodge at Nakoma Courtesy of Nakoma Resort California's Lost Sierra, an alpine wonderland dotted with turquoise lakes, is home to this Frank Lloyd Wright clubhouse, which was brought to life in 2001. While the architect's inspired structure is what sets Nakoma apart from the rest, it's location—it calls thousands of trees neighbor—makes it a must-see for couples scouting West Coast fall wedding venues. 14 of 20 Devil's Thumb Ranch Courtesy of Devil’s Thumb Ranch Don't let this Colorado resorts' name or rustic exterior fool you—Devil's Thumb Ranch is the definition of luxury, and has the award-winning spa, restaurant, and modern accommodations to prove it. Host your wedding at this not-so-humble abode, though, and you'll still have boundless access to the great outdoors. In fact, the property was designed with its 6,000 tree-filled acres in mind—the number of wedding day photo-ops will be truly limitless. The Best Wedding Venues in the Midwest 15 of 20 The Ranch at Rock Creek Courtesy of The Ranch at Rock Creek You'll be able to take your pick of ceremony and reception space at this historic Montana property, which comes with 10 square miles of river, forest (a colorful scene, come fall!), valley, and vistas. Even better? Wedding packages at this dude ranch are all-inclusive, so you and up to 125 of your guests can stay, dine, drink, and play (packages come with twice-daily ranch activities!) your wedding weekend away. 16 of 20 The Little Nell Steve Goff Scouring Aspen for a wedding venue that offers as much in the fall as it does in the winter? Bookmark this five-star Colorado boutique hotel, which will accommodate just about every detail of your big day. The hardest decision you'll have to make will be whether to get married at the top or foot of the property's mountain—in other words, do you want to overlook its breathtaking fall foliage or be on its (ground) level? 17 of 20 Scribner's Catskill Lodge Read McKendree Located in the heart of the Catskills and directly across from New York's go-to ski-destination, Hunter Mountain, Scribner's Lodge is an inky-black, restored inn surrounded by fields of grass and trees. Wherever you decide to celebrate on the property, (the lodge's indoor spaces, like The Library and Prospect Restaurant, offer just as much scenery as its outdoor meadow or Bluestone Patio), you'll never be without the red, yellow, and orange views of the seasonal, mountainous horizon. Think that sounds good? Just wait until the sun sets. Questions to Ask While Touring Wedding Venues 18 of 20 The Biltmore Estate Courtesy of The Biltmore Estate Southern opulence incarnate, the Biltmore Estate was originally the luxurious family home of George and Edith Vanderbilt. Though it boasts original art by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and John Singer Sargent, includes a library with 10,000 volumes, and acres upon acres of formal and informal gardens by renowned landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, it's (arguably) most defining characteristic is the surrounding North Carolina scenery—complete with some of the best fall foliage the South has to offer. The property's fall-time slogan is especially telling: "The leaves transform and so will you." 19 of 20 Montage Deer Valley Courtesy of Montage Deer Valley Add a little multicolored mountain magic to your Park City, Utah celebration at this picturesque destination. Want to be as close to nature as possible? Inquire about the property's sprawling seasonal lawn or après-ski terrace, both of which give unparalleled access to the mountains' beauty and forested valley below. 20 of 20 The Roundhouse Courtesy of The Roundhouse This property's history is drenched in mercantilism. It originally housed a textile manufacturer, and then a machine shop, and then a dye company. When the property was purchased in 2010, it was in a state of disrepair. Today, The Roundhouse is an industrial revival that demonstrates the best possible juxtaposition of warehouse and country-home vibes. (It's nestled right into the incredible Beacon, N.Y. landscape!) As for its interesting moniker? One of its buildings actually is round—and provides 360-degree views of the surrounding transitional flora come autumn. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit