"Sweet Home Alabama, I'm Comin' Home to You." Bordered by Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida, Alabama has a wonderful way of welcoming you with the warmth of her people and their down-home hospitality. Your Alabama destination wedding will make you feel like you've come home.
There are four key regions to consider for your adventures. All are perfect for weddings, and each provides opportunities for newlyweds to explore the things that make Alabama unique.
The Northern Mountains
Huntsville, one of the state's major cities, is located in this region. Home to the Huntsville Museum of Art, the US Space and Rocket Center, and the Huntsville Botanical Garden, this area provides many interesting cultural attractions. Other cities in the area offer zoological and historical sites. When you find a venue that appeals to you, contact the director to learn what options are available.
If you enjoy the outdoors, consider having your wedding at one of the many state parks. Post-nuptial adventures can include visits to historic civil-war battlefields, wilderness-canyon preserves, or national monuments. Consider renting a motor home and camping in the Northern Mountain region for your honeymoon.
Metropolitan Areas
Alabama's cities are filled with great food, lodging, and nightlife. From Huntsville in the north to Mobile in the south, the state's metropolitan areas have it all! Cultural art centers, zoos, shopping, and theme parks are interspersed with several different kinds of museums, which could be used for your wedding ceremony and reception.
The Southern Museum of Flight, Berman Museum of World History, Birmingham Museum of Art, and the Alabama Museum of Natural History are just a few of the many locations to enjoy. If you thrill to the sight of fine automobiles, visit the Mercedes-Benz Visitor Center across from Daimler's only US auto plant. Another car lover's paradise is the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, next to the Talladega Superspeedway. With all of these options, you are sure to find something fun to incorporate into your wedding plans.
While the metropolitan areas offer luxury-resort accommodations that can provide a beautiful setting for your destination wedding, consider looking into other options that reflect your hobbies and interests.
The Riverfront
Riverfront areas include Mobile on the Gulf of Mexico, and the capital city of Montgomery. The Pioneer Museum of Alabama, Dothan Area Botanical Gardens, and Moundville Archeological Park are all located in this region. The historical significance of the area can be explored and savored by visiting these sites.
The perfect Alabama destination wedding could be planned for the Gaineswood Antebellum House Museum, owned and operated by the Alabama Historical Commission. Built in the mid 1800's, this is a wonderful historical venue surrounded by Alabama's natural beauty.
The Gulf Coast
As the name implies, this area of Alabama is on the water too. The Dauphin Island Park and Beach Boardwalk is a great place to consider for your wedding. The area features historic Fort Gaines, the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, and the Dauphin Island Pier.
Romantic Bellengrath Gardens provide 65 landscaped acres near Mobile that are an ideal setting for your destination wedding. For a slightly silly Alabama wedding, consider Waterville USA, a 20-acre water and amusement park; or Adventure Island, an arcade-style park that features a 218-hole miniature golf course!
If you are uncertain about how to plan a destination wedding, please refer to Destination Wedding Planning in the Wedding Guide. For specifics on each venue mentioned in this article, contact an Alabama-based wedding planner.
Alabama offers many options for your nuptials. You can be transported back in time via historic mansions, civil-war battlefields, and a plethora of museums, or you can celebrate in its modern cities. Seasonally, you can savor special events, including the Birmingham Battle of the Bands, the Jubilee CityFest jazz festival in Montgomery, the National Peanut Festival, or the Alabama Pecan Festival in Mobile.
If you enjoy the idea of having your wedding in a place that feels like home no matter where you go, consider Alabama for your destination wedding.
