National Association of Wedding Ministers Choosing A Ceremony Location Selecting the perfect wedding location is dependent on a variety of things such as your own personal style, your budget and how many people you will be inviting. It is also dependant on the availability and accessibility of the location. From a natural and informal out door wedding to a classy hotel venue the possibilities are endless but here a few things you should keep in mind. Hotels, Reception Centers and Restaurants Consider the number of guests you have attending. Will
there be enough space for a sit down dinner? Is there room to place
a dance floor?
Is there an appropriate area for band/DJ and the cake to be set
up? Is there ample space for the ceremony to take place? Ask if there will be adequate parking spaces to accommodate your guests. If parking fees apply it may be necessary for you to arrange to pay for your guests parking in advance. Hotels may have restrictions on the way you want to decorate your room so remember to ask if you are allowed to move tables and chairs around to a way that best suits your needs for the day. In addition to this, some hotels may also have restrictions on the type of music you are allowed to play and the level at which it is allowed to be played be sure to check this with staff as well as if there are sufficient power outlets. Hotels can also be unromantic, commercial and impersonal, so make sure they actually have a nice place or can create one for the wedding ceremony. Most hotels were not developed with weddings in mind and choosing one with a professional wedding coordinator can go a long way. Government Owned Parks and Gardens, Outdoor Venues Research and ensure that the necessary paper work is done. Are there fire restrictions? Do you need a permit for cooking appliances, serving alcohol or erecting a marquee? What time must you vacate the premises? Is there a supply of water, electricity and gas? Will you need to hire or buy a generator, gas tanks and water supplies? Are there any toilets? I have seen receptions end very suddenly, because there was no thought given as to where the guests would use the toilet. Have one delivered, if necessary. How far is the location of the reception from the parking lot? Consider having your reception in a place that is easy to find and not too far from the car park as older guests may have difficulty venturing far distances on foot. It
may also be convenient to set up a tent where the bridal couple and
guests can change clothes or touch up their makeup. Remember to remind guests to dress adequately depending on what season you are having your wedding. It is also important to plan ahead and try to accommodate Mother Nature in your plans. Uninvited insects may prove highly annoying and check to see if your evening beach party has the potential to be swamped by the rising tide! With all locations remember written contracts are important in making sure that your day runs exactly how you planned it. It also makes sense when sending out invitations to also send out a detailed map on how to get to your dream wedding location! Make sure you have identified an alternate wedding site if you are outdoors and not in a covered location. Churches There are usually, many more restrictions when you choose a church to have your wedding ceremony, than if you chose another location. Most churches will not let you have a wedding, at their location, unless you are a member of their congregation. Churches quite often require certain music, services, decorations and other very specific restrictions, which may even include dictating who can perform the ceremony. Premarital counseling is more often required, than not required, before you can get married at a local church. If you plan on utilizing the church’s Pastor, then you can pretty much count on 3 to 7 sessions of premarital counseling. Some churches will allow you to rent their facility and not have many restrictions. Check with the church that you are interested in using for specific information. Unique Locations Some out-of-the-ordinary wedding locations include art galleries, museums, movie studio lots, restaurants, ships, boats and yachts. Really unique weddings can be performed while you are hot air ballooning, parachuting, camping, on horseback, on bicycles, on a train, at the airport, on a ski slope, on a houseboat, on water, on surfboards, underwater, at the golf course, on the tennis court, or on a baseball diamond, track field or football field. Check the location of your choice for possibilities. Honeymoon Wedding Locations For a honeymoon wedding in a romantic location, begin by talking to a travel agent. Such vacation spots generally have wedding packages complete with romantic extras. For a wedding in a foreign country, begin very early to find out what the laws are in that country regarding marriages. (6 months-1 year). Residency may be required. You may need passports, visas, special paperwork, inoculations, blood tests from a doctor in that country. There may be a waiting period or filing period. Check it out thoroughly, it may be easier to have a private legal ceremony at home and a "for show" ceremony on location. For Las Vegas or Reno wedding, wedding chapels abound and most arrangements can be made on-the-spot. For a wedding on a cruise ship, talk to your travel agent. Contrary to common belief, ship captains are usually not certified to perform weddings. You will have to make arrangements for an officiant. If you are married in a port, the officiate must be licensed by the city, county or state where the ceremony is being performed. Special Outdoor Locations For special outdoor location such as a zoo, fairground, university campus, amusement park, theme park, winery, racetrack, private beach, ranch, rose garden, orchard, or other special outdoor location, call the location directly for information and reservations. Some theme parks have special wedding plans available. Disneyworld has a fairytale wedding package that can even include a Cinderella coach. Many historical buildings and locations offer weddings in keeping their theme. This provides opportunities for Victorian weddings on ornate Victorian homes, western weddings in old west surroundings or a revolutionary theme in historical surroundings. Check with the Visitor's Bureau, Office of Tourism, Chamber of Commerce or Parks and Recreation Department for information on possible wedding sites. Your wedding location sets the tone for your entire wedding. Possible
choices include churches, museums, gardens, restaurants, beaches, yachts,
mansions, and castles. Start by asking what style and mood you want,
then choose a location to match. Location Questions:
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