Kentucky is such a beautiful state, with so many gorgeous wedding venues to choose from. As a Kentucky wedding photographer, I know firsthand just how much amazing variety there is! With so many choices of fantastic wedding venues, it can sometimes be hard to decide where to get married in Kentucky. Fortunately, in my time photographing couples I’ve seen the best of the best, and I’ve compiled a list of my favorites. Here are 10 romantic Kentucky wedding venues you’ve absolutely GOT to check out!

1. Whitehall Garden & Estates

First built around 1855, the history-rich Whitehall Garden & Estates boasts elegant Antebellum architecture and a spacious, beautifully curated garden. Both the mansion and the garden are among the best Kentucky wedding venues, each offering its own unique beauty and charm.

There are two main venues at Whitehall: The garden and the mansion. Both are spectacular in their own way!

The Garden

The garden at Whitehall is hands down one of the most stunning outdoor Kentucky wedding venues you could ever hope to find! The grounds are spacious and full of trees with a beautiful terrace to take in the sights. The gorgeous natural surroundings in Whitehall Garden translate perfectly into stunning Kentucky wedding photography!

The Mansion

The interior of the mansion has been kept just as it was in 1909. Antique furniture, luxurious carpets and period-specific wall coverings create a gorgeous and authentically historic effect. Walking through the door feels like stepping into the past! The elegant surroundings make Whitehall Garden & Estates one of my favorite Kentucky wedding venues, perfect for either a cocktail reception or an unforgettable dinner with your friends and loved ones!

2. Castle & Key Distillery

If you’re looking for a fun, dynamic wedding venue in Kentucky, it’s hard to beat Castle & Key Distillery! The distillery’s historic Shooking Building offers an elegant, versatile backdrop for an indoor event, and the Springhouse is a perfect space for an outdoor ceremony or cocktail hour surrounded by nature. 

One of my favorite spots for wedding photography at Castle & Key Distillery is the Sunken Gardens. The koi pond, rustic well house and ivy-covered castle all come together to make the Sunken Gardens a one-of-a-kind location that provides plenty of stunning backdrops for Kentucky wedding photography!

3. The Clerestory at Greyline

Couples planning large wedding parties should absolutely check out The Clerestory at Greyline! The venue is housed in a former bus depot, and the renovated architecture pays tribute to the building’s original wide-open spaces. The Clerestory can accommodate up to 350 guests, and the open layout means that you’ll be able to customize the space in any way you’d like! Plus, the huge, beautiful windows – preserved from the original building – offer plenty of light for some gorgeous wedding photography!

4. Gardencourt

Beauty and tradition combine in equal measure at the stunning Gardencourt mansion. The home, built in an awe-inspiring Beaux-Arts style, is over a century old and has even been placed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Take one look at this place and you can see why: the interior features intricate woodwork, marble fireplaces and beautifully-preserved ballrooms perfect for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration!

Outside, you’ll find a sprawling, 14-acre estate with tons of amazing locations for an outdoor ceremony or reception! The grounds are filled with dreamy, romantic spots for truly beautiful wedding photos. Towering archways, formal rose gardens, fountains and stone porticos are just a few of the unforgettable features that make Gardencourt one of the premier wedding venues in Kentucky.

5. The Apiary

Located in downtown Lexington, The Apiary offers an oasis of elegance in the bustling heart of the city. The spacious banquet hall is made of exposed brick which, combined with the ivy on the walls and the atmospheric lighting, makes The Apiary one of the top rustic wedding venues in Kentucky. 

Outside, you’ll find a secluded garden that’s perfect for cocktail hours or quiet conversation if you need to take a quick breather from dancing! The venue also prides itself on its innovative, delicious food and is perfect for offering your guests an unforgettable feast filled with expertly crafted modern cuisine.

6. Hazelnut Farms & Events

Tucked away on a secluded 40-acre hideaway in Kentucky’s picturesque countryside, Hazelnut Farms is hands down one of the greatest barn wedding venues in Kentucky! 

There’s just so much to love about this place. The farm offers a huge variety of environments and venues to provide the wedding of your dreams! The covered porch with its paved walkways and wide-open spaces is perfect for a cocktail hour or outdoor ceremony. 

As a wedding photographer, Hazelnut Farms is particularly exciting to me because of the more natural side of the property – just a short walk away from the main building you’ll find plenty of Kentucky nature that provides an ideal backdrop for wedding photos. Hazelnut Farms even has its own private lake with a little bridge that leads to a small private island where you and your partner can pose for some truly one-of-a-kind couples photos!

7. Bradshaw Duncan House

Bradshaw Duncan House was built in 1805, and the stately manor house stays true to its historical roots while still providing plenty of modern flair!

Guests have a full run of the beautifully restored manor house, which is a perfect location for a sit-down dinner followed by a night of dancing the night away. There’s also an outdoor patio which is perfect for a wedding reception under the open sky surrounded by the beautiful natural surroundings of the grounds!

When it comes to wedding photography, Bradshaw Duncan House also offers tons of amazing locations! From the rustic barn to the breathtaking interiors of the manor house, the grandeur of the double porch to the beautifully manicured natural surroundings of the grounds, there are so many options for unique and stunning wedding photography! All you have to do is pick the location that best fits who you are as a couple and the kind of story you want to tell through your photos.

8. Cason’s Cove

This family-owned wedding venue is perfect for couples looking for intimate Kentucky wedding venues with both an elegant and spiritual element. The walkways at Cason’s Cove are decorated with the owners’ favorite Bible passages, indicative of the inner calling that the family feels to honor the love that connects every newlywed couple that gets married at their venue.

Cason’s Cove offers a wide variety of locations for both ceremony and celebration, ranging from wide-open natural settings to intimate indoor spaces. The Cove is located in the heart of a secluded woodland that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to an enchanted forest, while The Garden is a cozier spot located just off the main building where couples can get married surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful foliage.

One of my favorite spots in Cason’s Cove is The Meadow. It’s a grandiose outdoor space surrounded by nature, but the old-world European architecture and hand stuccoed exterior lends the impression that you’ve been whisked away to the Italian countryside. It’s an amazing backdrop for some truly stunning wedding photography!

9. Yew Dell Botanical Gardens

This beautiful nature center is one of my favorite wedding venues in Kentucky! Couples planning a wedding at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens have many venue options to choose from, and this versatility means that it can accommodate a wedding of pretty much any size and any style!

If you’re looking for Kentucky loft wedding venues, it’s hard to beat the Botanical Gardens Gheens Barn with its amazing arched barn loft. Their Walled Garden and Stone Terrace spaces are also awesome, and both provide plenty of space for mingling during cocktail hour.

And when it comes to wedding photography, Yew Dell Botanical Gardens’ just can’t be beat! Every space offers plenty of beautiful spots for one-of-a-kind photos, but one of my personal favorites is Hollee Alley, which features a gorgeous row of holly trees that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to another world.

Each wedding venue at Yew Dell Botanical Gardens offers its own unique charms, but no matter which one you choose, you’ll be guaranteed to be surrounded by stunning gardens and natural beauty. Yew Dell wedding photography is guaranteed to be enchanting, unique, and full of so much variety!

10. The Peterson-Dumesnil House

This stunning Italian villa-style venue, built in 1869, is a bona fide Louisville landmark. There are so many awesome spaces for both wedding ceremonies and wedding parties at the Peterson-Dumesnil House. From the gorgeous wedding garden to the stunning wrap-around porch, there’s a space here to suit weddings of any style and size!

Wedding photography at the Peterson-Dumesnil House is also a dream! The beautiful architecture and gorgeous landscape provide a perfect backdrop for wedding photos. I love when I get a chance to photograph couples here. It’s such a romantic spot!

Located in Crescent Hill, just a short trip away from downtown Louisville, the Peterson-Duesnil House mixes historical beauty with modern elegance. It might be in the heart of the city, but once you arrive you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another world. It’s absolutely worth checking out if you’re planning a Kentucky wedding!

If any of these incredible Kentucky wedding venues are calling out to you and you’d like to get started planning your one-of-a-kind romantic Kentucky wedding, I’m ready to help out every step of the way! Get in touch so we can start talking about how to make the wedding of your dreams become a reality. I can’t wait to help tell your story!