subject: Selecting The Best Wedding Location [print this page] The most traditional settings for weddings have always been churches, synagogues, and other places of worship. However, more and more couples today are choosing more unconventional locations. Weddings today take place in parks, museums, art galleries, public parks, and on beaches. The following is a rundown of some of the options you have when it comes to picking the right wedding venue for you and your betrothed.
Religious Ceremony
A religious ceremony is usually held at a church, synagogue, or other place of worship, but some officiants will consent to performing the ceremony at the place of your choosing. Many ministers or other officiants will only marry you if you and your fiance undergo premarital counseling. Make sure you are aware of your officiant's requirements and expectations before setting a wedding date. You may be required to undergo anything from a few sessions to several months of counseling.
Do not be caught off guard by the fees that may be involved in a religious ceremony. You will most likely be expected to pay a fee to the officiant for performing the ceremony. The fee may be a donation or a standard rate of anywhere from $100 to $600. If you are getting married at a house of worship, many times there will be fees for the use of the building, the setting up and taking down of decorations, and for cleanup. The total cost can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Be sure to ask for a list of all fees when meeting the religious officiant who will perform your ceremony.
Civil Ceremony
Civil ceremonies can be performed by court clerks, justices of the peace, judges, magistrates, or other legal officiants. A civil ceremony can be the perfect answer for a couple that is interfaith and wants to pick a "neutral" ceremony, doesn't have a strong religious affiliation, or wants to avoid the limitations of a traditional church wedding.
Civil ceremonies can be as short or as elaborate as you wish. The stereotype of the civil ceremony is that it is held at a city or in a county clerk's office, but legal officiants can travel to the site of your choosing to perform the ceremony. If you choose to hold your ceremony at the same location as your reception, you'll save money on decoration, rental, and travel expenses. As an added benefit, your reception can begin directly after the ceremony, preserving the excitement of the celebration.
Indoor or Outdoor Wedding
Many couples choose to get married in parks, gardens, orchards, and other outdoor settings, however indoor locations remain the most popular choice. Staying indoors is practical, because you do not have to worry about inclement weather ruining your ceremony. And you can keep your guests in comfort with heat or air conditioning.
Of course, you are not limited to a church ceremony if you decide on an indoor venue. Many hotels, wineries, reception halls, museums, and historic sites also lend themselves to gorgeous ceremonies.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Venue
One of the first things you will need to find out about the venue you are researching is whether it is right for the size of your wedding party. If the venue is too small, your guests will feel cramped. On the other hand, if the venue is big and you do not have many guests, the venue will seem nearly empty.
After you have narrowed your options down with respect to the size of your guest list, you will need to consider other requirements. The following is a list of questions you may wish to ask when you are calling about various venues. What dates are available? What is the rental fee? How long will you be allowed to use the site? Is there adequate parking? Is there a dance floor? What are the rules and regulations regarding music, food, and drinks? How early can you be let into the location? Is there an area that is suitable for the ceremony?
Your friends and relatives will probably have suggestions on where you should hold your ceremony, what food should be served, and so on. Keep in mind that this is your wedding, and, ultimately, your wedding should be a reflection of you and your fiance's styles, personalities, and priorities.
by: Veronica Matris
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