When choosing a venue for your wedding, there are several things to consider. First, you want to plan in advance. Twelve months out is a good rule-of-thumb; depending on the time of year, you may not need that much advanced notice to get the perfect spot.
Rental fees are important to take into account when picking on a venue. Churches are the traditionally place to tie the knot -- even they require a rental fee. Fees are sometimes reduced if you are a member of the congregation or parish.
Parking and accessibility for guests are other important things to take into account when choosing a spot for your wedding. For example, if your 90-year-old grandmother can’t leave her wheelchair and oxygen tank, you probably shouldn’t hold the ceremony on the top of a mountain, unless you are prepared to have her flown in on a helicopter. Likewise, if the best man is deathly afraid of water, you might not want to get married on a boat.
Pick a site that reflects your personality and will make your day a memorable one. If traditional is your style that’s great, but don’t feel pressured to conform if your personal style is something more contemporary or unique.
Other venues to consider:
- The Great Outdoors -- Outdoor weddings can be beautiful and supply many of their own decorations. Keep in mind that they can also bring their own set of headaches. Outdoor ceremonies depend more on weather and temperature. They can pose critter worries, too.
- Old Homes, Museums or Historical sites -- These settings can make beautiful backdrops for ceremonies. Time of day is something to be considered when choosing these venues. You’ll want to visit the site during the time you plan to hold the ceremony so that the lighting and furnishings look the same as they will on your special day.
- Hotels and Resorts -- These venues are a great because they can be all encompassing. The ceremony and reception can happen all in one place to alleviate the hassles of transportation. Keep in mind that if the hotel or resort is large, another event could take place at the same time as yours.
- Your Dream Venue -- Don’t be afraid to do what you want, however unique and unconventional it may be. Is your fiancé a baseball fan? Get married at homeplate and have your guests in the stands. Are you a theater buff? Go with the thespian theme.
The possibilities are endless. The only hard and fast rule is that you make it as special, memorable, and as uniquely you as possible!
