So, you’ve determined the month of your wedding and hopefully a handful of potential dates. The next step is in scouting out locations and seeing what is available as well as the costs.
The first step is to decide whether you intend on having the reception and wedding at the same venue, typically if you do, it will cost far less, however depending on the size of your wedding and the available venues, this might not be feasible for you.
If you do not have a particular church or wedding venue in mind, consider renting a hall for both your wedding and reception to save money. Open the phone book and write down the local venues that are available, calling each first to determine availability and cost. Hosting your wedding and reception at the same venue also saves time and money by being able to eliminate transportation costs.
Many couples also choose to hold their weddings outside in gardens, beaches or local parks. This can cut down costs considerably, however it’s very important to contact your local town hall to determine any restrictions that may be in place as well as any associated costs or fees.
Many couples choose to host their weddings at the homes of relatives, in outdoor gazebos, vineyards and even where you first met. As long as your venue is a place that you both feel connected to and is appropriate for you both, as well as your wedding party (size being a factor), go for it! It doesn’t matter where you have your wedding as long as you are both happy with your decision and you can ensure that it can accommodate your wedding guests.
If your ceremony location is too small to include your entire guest list, you can also opt for a private wedding with a fewer number of guests present, and open up your reception site to your entire guest list, so that they can celebrate your wedding with you while allowing you and your partner to have your actual wedding at a site that you both are pleased with.
When it comes to your reception keep in mind that certain vendors will charge you for “un used space”. This means that if your guest list is 150 and only 100 show up, you still may be required to pay for the remaining 50 seats. Therefore, it’s very important to have a closely estimated number of guests and to discuss with your vendor, prior to reserving the reception site, whether you will be charged for anyone not attending your wedding without prior notice.
The location of the wedding is often debated heavily between couples, and sometimes their family. Often, the couple will want to have their wedding in a non-traditional location while the family of one or both insists that they have it in a church.
It’s a tough decision.On one hand, you want to make your parents happy. But on the other hand, it’s your wedding. Ultimately it is your decision where to have your wedding. A wedding held on the beach or by a waterfall is no less valid than a wedding held in a church or synagogue.
If you want to have an Elvis-inspired wedding in Las Vegas or a Star Trek themed wedding on a mock Enterprise bridge, that’s your choice! And your wedding will still be just as valid as it would have been if it were held right in front of the pearly gates!
There are a couple of main considerations when choosing a wedding location. First, you should choose a location that your friends and family will be able to reach. If you live in Florida, asking your friends and family to all fly to Las Vegas with you may be out of the question.
If you are willing to have a smaller wedding with fewer of your loved ones, that’s your choice. But it’s something to keep in mind.Next, it should be relatively close to the location of the reception. If you are holding your wedding on the beach, you might want to hold the reception there, as well. You might rent a nice location near the beach, or have the reception at a nearby hotel. But asking guests to drive 10 miles away for the reception isn’t going to make anyone very happy.
A wedding is already a long, tiring event. After the wedding, people will probably be tired and hungry. They need to be put into a relaxing, soothing atmosphere quickly and fed! So remember to locate the wedding and the reception close together.
A great idea for many couples is to have the wedding at the home of a friend or relative. This makes for a homier wedding, and the reception can be held right on the premises. This is certainly easier logistically, but it can also be very romantic to have a wedding at the home where the bride grew up, or the home where the groom’s grandparents said their vows!
Wherever you choose, just be sure it suits you both. This is a day you will never forget, and it should be held in a place that will make you both happy. Don’t worry about what anyone else says. Choose the place that will make YOU happiest.