Do Wedding Venues Have to be ADA Compliant? Here’s What to Know

“My wedding venue wasn’t disability accessible.” 

I see comments like this one all the time — posted on Reddit, WeddingWire, The Knot — and every time, it’s met with the same mix of frustration and disappointment by people all over the country who found themselves or their guests without accommodations on the wedding day. It always bums me out. And it’s almost always followed by a disheartened, uncertain, or (understandably) angry version of “But are wedding venues required to be ADA compliant? Should I file a complaint?” 

The reason these questions get asked so often is because ADA laws are easily misunderstood, and disability just isn’t prioritized or represented in the wedding world. Think about it — how often do you see articles with tips on how to decorate a wheelchair for the wedding aisle, or how to navigate horrific overhead lighting without having a sensory meltdown while exchanging your wedding vows? Not very often. For a $70.5 billion dollar-a-year industry, there still doesn’t seem to be much room for disability. 

But back to these often-asked questions: Do wedding venues have to be ADA compliant? Should you file a complaint when a wedding venue can’t accommodate you? 

I can’t give you legal advice about filing a complaint, except to say that if you do want to file an ADA complaint against a wedding business, start here: 

• ADA.gov : File a Complaint

What I can offer is a quick overview of what it actually means for a business to be ‘ADA Compliant,’ which types of locations are exempt, and what the ADA requirements for wedding venues are as of this year (2025). 

Keep in mind: This information is a short introduction to a complex topic, to help you make the right decision for you and your family when it’s time to choose a wedding venue. If you have specific questions, reach out to a lawyer or venue directly. For the most up to date info, visit ADA.gov: Title III | Businesses That Are Open to the Public

Let’s take a look! 

When looking for accessible wedding venues, experiment with search terms like 'handicap accessible wedding venues' or 'wheelchair accessible destination wedding venues.' Visit our Vendor Spotlight (linked at the top of the page) to find inclusive venues near you! Photo: Pexels - Send us fun photos of your wedding to use in an article!

What to Know About ADA Accessible Wedding Venues & the Law

What is the ADA? (Americans With Disabilities Act) 

The ADA, or Americans With Disabilities Act, is a law that helps protect people with disabilities from discrimination in many areas of life —  like ensuring disabled people have equal access to public spaces like shops and venues. It’s the law that makes sure a bathroom stall is big enough for a wheelchair user, that a sign is labeled in braille, and that an ASL interpreter is present at important government events.

More specifically, ADA.gov explains that the Americans with Disabilities Act as “a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities.” (Yep! Disability rights are civil rights.) Further, “the ADA guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else to enjoy employment opportunities, purchase goods and services, and participate in state and local government programs.” 

Are Wedding Venues Legally Required to Be ADA Compliant? 

Often, yes. Any venue that’s considered a commercial facility or is open to the general public will need to comply with ADA requirements — this includes most typical venues like banquet halls, as well as many nontraditional venues that host weddings, such as a public museum, library, national park, theater, or restaurant. 

Sometimes, no. Private venues that are not open to the general public, such as private membership country clubs, don’t have to be ADA compliant, except when renting out areas for public events. (But your wedding is likely a private event, not open to the general public.) Religious institutions — including churches, temples, and mosques — are also exempt from following ADA guidelines.

Do Older Buildings Have to be ADA Compliant?

Let’s say you want to get married in a fairytale wedding in a hundred year old castle, or, say, a pizza restaurant built in 1985. Do older buildings have to be ADA compliant? 

This is one of the most misunderstood areas of the law (and I sometimes wonder if they make it confusing on purpose). In general, older buildings built before 1990 (when the ADA was passed) are given leeway on ADA compliance until they’re renovated, or when it’s “readily achievable” to remove architectural barriers to compliance. “Readily achievable” means that if a business can afford to make changes to accommodate mobility limitations, it must, but if the costs are too high or too difficult (as is the case for many small businesses), they're not required to make changes until they undergo major renovations. Still, those businesses should offer reasonable accommodations whenever possible.

So, businesses that make big bucks in old buildings, like the Oheka Castle hotel and estate in Huntington, New York, have renovated their facilities to make many areas ADA accessible. But Bob’s Pizza & Sushi down the street (a neighborhood fav for 40 years and counting, somehow!), might not have the means to make significant changes.

Ok, So What Are the ADA Requirements for Businesses That Are Open to the Public? What Makes an Accessible Wedding Venue?  

What makes a truly accessible wedding venue? When many people talk about ADA compliance, they often focus on structural accessibility for guests with mobility disabilities, but the ADA protects access for people with any disability, including developmental disabilities like Autism and Down Syndrome, physical disabilities like low vision or epilepsy, and more. The ideal wedding venue will try to make their structures and their services easy for all guests to use. 

Examples of ADA Accessibility Features & Reasonable Accommodations in Wedding Venues:

• Accessible website (high contrast text, video captioning, alt text on images, accessible online forms that are clearly labeled for screen readers, etc.)

• Ramps or lifts

• Accessible parking 

• Adjustable and accessible tables, mirrors, altars, etc for wheelchair users and little people/people of short stature

• Slip-resistant and level pathways (outdoor areas)

• Wide aisles and hallways, level flooring 

• Accessible restrooms (wide doorways, handrails, large stalls)

• Accessible lighting (no protruding lamps, easy to turn on and off, adjustable brightness, no strobing)

• Braille signage

• Alternative communication options (familiarity with VRS [Video Relay Services], ASL interpreter, text communication, large print materials, video calls, etc.)

• Service animals allowed

• Quiet rooms available / sensory quiet areas

• Employees educated on working with disabled customers and guests

And remember: If you need accommodations for a disability on your wedding day, it’s always ok to ask!