Venues, Venues, Venues

Task 10 out of 188: Scout reception sites in your area until you find the perfect reception location

Complete: 9-11 months out from wedding

[Theknot.com]

So I’m working on the general details of the wedding and now I’m starting to check off things on my list; Wedding Date, Check! Budget, Check! Toning up, in Progress! The Dress, in progress too! Location…Location…LOCATION!? Where to have a wedding is as important as the show stopping dress in the wedding.  Should the wedding be at your place of worship?  How about at a unique location like under the St. Louis Arch?   What about a destination wedding in some exotic place like Aruba? As I have worked through the ups and downs of possible locations, I figured I would share some things that have helped me to narrow down my location choices.

Place of Worship

Choosing the place of worship is usually a top choice with Brides that I know.  Depending upon the religion, these locations can be elaborate, new and gorgeous to more traditional, aged beauties that are engraved into family history books.  Something to think about when figuring out if your place of worship works best for your occasion is to take into account the actual size of the wedding.  Will it fit the wedding party and guests comfortably or will some adjustments need to be made?  And will there be areas to set-up for the rituals like the unity candle, symbolic food tasting, jumping the broom or breaking the glass?  One may even need to think about whether to have the reception in the same place or move off-site. Your place of worship can be a very personal touch to the wedding and a classic back drop for your photos. 

  

Unique Venues

When I think of unique venues, I think of spectacular sites like the New York Public Library from the movie “Sex in the City” or maybe in front of a sea of fish like at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA.  Unique venues are those that most would never choose but probably mean more to the couple then to anyone else in the world.  I’ve heard of a couple who decided to bungee jumped off of a bridge, why? Of course that was the first place they met.  That sounds crazy to me, but I’m sure in their eyes there could have never been another place. The one concern that I have with unique venues is whether or not to decorate. Usually the scenery should be enough but should there be flowers, balloons or anything else? Cynthia Bailey from Atlanta Housewives got married at the Fern Bank in Atlanta under the bones of a T Rex. I would say in that instance, no decorations needed

Destination Weddings

W.O.W. or Wonderful Out-of-Country Weddings are special to each couple! Most destination weddings happen on the beach with the ocean in the background or amongst the vineyards and valleys in France.  They are usually smaller weddings at a higher price per person. But no matter the price they never disappoint. With the blue-green sea behind and the soft sand under your feet, or even a rustic castle surrounding the ceremony, the couple and guests are in a relaxed vacation mood easing into a day of celebration.  There are several things to consider when choosing a destination wedding.  One decision that has already been touched on is the size.  Many family members and friends may not be able to put up the dollar amount so if you want a beachside large wedding, going stateside may work best.  For those weddings not stateside, things to consider are the need of passports, inclusive vs. individual costs, or even the constraints of the overall budget.  In my opinion, I love destination weddings, I have yet to make one but I look forward to relaxing on the beach and watching love roll in with each tide.

The wedding day, for most, is just one day. Be sure to pick a location that speaks to the value of the relationship and also that matches the atmosphere desired for the day. Love is in the air so be sure to catch it all during your day!