Choosing a Wedding Location
Choosing the perfect location for your wedding

Yes, the location of your wedding definitely has a lot of influence in the mood and theme of the wedding. Many of the popular venues have pumped up prices. So how can you still have the perfect wedding when you cant afford the perfect place?? Don’t get discouraged, the perfect place is there you just have to know here to look. So grab the yellow pages and let your fingers do the walking.

Start in your own hometown. Check out the city, county, and state facilities available in your area. There are senior centers, parks, gardens, museums, libraries, courthouses, marinas, clubhouses and universities that will rent you a space. How about covered bridges, old railroad stations, boat houses. Do you know someone who owns an old farmhouse that would be the perfect backdrop? Ask, you quite possibly will get the use of the grounds for free. Antebellum mansions are great places to use also.

Churches or synagogues: Most large churches rent out to weddings to help earn a little extra $$. Since around 80% of all formal weddings take place in a church, it seems to be the first place people think of. Usually it is very inexpensive to rent a church. Around $300-500 depending on the size/availability. Of course if you are a member of the church, they probably wont charge you anything. If there is a fellowship or social hall, use it for your reception. Remember though, some churches wont allow dancing or liqueur.

Call the chamber of commerce: Most towns have a variety of sites available. Some of those could be; lodges (like the elks or masons), privately owned gardens, ranches, farms, vineyards, campgrounds, dance halls, and amusement parks. Is there a water fall near you?

State Parks: Check out your what the state has to offer. There are all sorts of beautiful parks in our county. Many have inns and lodges where you can hold a reception. Most have campgrounds, shelter houses, nature centers and other wonderful places to hold the ceremony. Most state parks charge an entrance fee, but you maybe able to pay a lump sum to cover the cost of all the cars that enter. Of course the fees are usually very small $3-5 bucks per car, so it would be ok to let the quests pay their own fee. How about the lake?

National Parks: The federal government allows outdoor wedding to be preformed at national parks. How about getting married at old faithful or maybe at pikes peak? Most only require a permit which runs about $30. You can obtain the permit from the rangers station. Look in the yellow pages under government offices to find the station near you.

Unusual wedding locations: I have seen wedding performed in a host of strange places. From Walmart's snack bar to the bus terminal downtown. Your venue should be a reflection of your personalities. So no venue is really unusual. It’s ok to get married where you meet, or where he proposed, or where you shared your first kiss. Contact the owner or manager of the area you wish to use, and explain the circumstances. Most of them will be happy to oblige. Beach weddings have become very popular, just keep in mind that you may have bikini clad beauties wondering thru the ceremony (unintentionally we are sure).

Pricey and yet still popular:

With prices that start at $72 per head plus gratuity a wedding of 200 could run you upwards of $15,000 just for the reception hall and room reservations. Dresses, flowers, the band and the rest of the good stuff are extra.

Hotel ballrooms (usually require you to use their catering service which will have a minimum $ amount)

Country clubs ( unless you or someone you know is a member, don’t waste time asking)

Resorts (VERY pricey, usually required to reserve a block of rooms with your reservation)

Restaurants (not as pricey, but the words “grill” “pub” or “pit” should never be on a wedding invitation)

Article by Kristean Thompson of 'A Dream Come True'.
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