HOW TO SELECT A WEDDING CEREMONY SITE

Choosing a Site:

The wedding site you choose will depend on you and your groom’s individual tastes and religious backgrounds. It should also reflect your style and priorities. Determine whether your site will be a religious house of worship or a secular site. In addition, keep in mind the location’s distance from the reception and its size in relation to your overall wedding.

The location should be able to accommodate all of your guests. A rule of thumb is 8 square foot per person. Also ensure that where ever your aisle will be that you, your escort and your dresses can fit through it comfortably. In addition, don’t select a large facility if there are only a few  guests. A small facility would be more intimate. Popular locations tend to be booked up quickly so be sure to reserve you site as early as possible.

Sources to find locations:

You can find information about wedding sites with a variety of resources:

·                   Books: several resources are:

“Private Places for Public Functions” by Hannelore Hahn (covers spaces in major cities) “Far Away Weddings” by Denise and Alan Fields (a good book for destination weddings)

·                   Bridal Shows: Vendors display their sites at these events

·                   Caterer: They are familiar with off-site premises and you may ask them for their suggestions

·                   Chamber of Commerce: They provide brochures on different locations

·                   Regional Bridal Magazines: They will sometimes list different sites in your area

·                   Internet: Surf the Internet under “Wedding sites or locations”

·                   Local Newspapers: Wedding announcements in the newspaper sometimes mention the wedding and reception sites

·                   Subscription Newsletters: Feature romantic places and easy escapes as well as little known and unusual destinations

·                   Travel Brochures, Catalogs, and Trade Magazines: Feature locations and special events for various large cities

Location ideas:

§       Church or Synagogues

§       University Chapels

§       Private Homes or Estates

§       Civic or Private Theaters

§       Museums

§       Historical Buildings or Mansions

§       Large lobbies of Grand Old Buildings

§       Art Galleries

§       Elks, Women Clubs

§       Community Centers

§       Hotel Ballrooms

§       Romantic Hotels

§       Bed and Breakfast Inns

§       Romantic Resorts

§       Wineries, Ranches, or Orchards

§       Public Beaches, Parks, or Gardens

§       Fairgrounds or Race Tracks

§       Zoos or amusement parks

§       Yachts, Boats or Barges

§       Your Home

§       Home of a family member or friend

Religious Facilities:

The selection will depend on you and your fiancés families’ personal affiliation with a particular church or synagogue.

Hotels, Private Clubs, or Reception Halls:

If your emphasis is not religious or very formal then a hotel, private club, or a reception hall is a popular choice. An advantage to these options is that both can accommodate the ceremony and reception. Many will furnish altars, aisles, canopies and chairs. If they don’t, look into renting any equipment yourself. Be sure to check the costs before you make a commitment. Also, be sure to check the hotel facilities in advance especially during busy wedding months of June, July, and August. Private clubs typically don’t open their facilities to non-members. Check with you and your groom’s friends or family who may be willing to host your wedding.

Home and Garden Weddings:

A nice entrance can be made coming down a staircase and then have the ceremony take place in front of a fireplace. A decorated arch or gazebo would make a lovely garden setting for your wedding. Position the arch or gazebo so the sun doesn’t shine in anyone’s eyes. You may want to have the area tented or the ceremony moved inside in case of bad weather.

Historical or Public Sites:

To find historical or public sites, check you local newspapers, yellow pages or call the local Chamber of Commerce. There are many old mansions that are open to the public and can be rented. There are also many museums, arboretums and formal gardens that will make a beautiful setting.

Ships or Boats:

Ships or boats are great for smaller unconventional weddings. If you don’t own a ship or have one to borrow, check the local yellow pages or local newspapers regarding rentals. The prices will depend on the size of the ship or boat and the number of hours you wish to rent it. For smaller ships and boats you will need to supply the food. For larger ships such a cruise ships, the food will probably be provided.

Mountains, Parks and Beaches:

For a perfect spot, contact your local Parks and Recreation Department. These are great locations for theme weddings. For example, you could have a Hawaiian wedding at the beach with a luau for the reception. Another example is an old- fashioned picnic reception at the park. You could give each couple their own picnic basket filled with a variety of food, a bottle of wine or champagne and a decorative tablecloth.

When searching for your ceremony site, use spreadsheet “Ceremony Location Sheet” on the next page to compare the costs and services provided per site.

	Location #1	Location #2	Location #3
Name:
Address:
Date Available
Time Available
Occupancy
Rental Fee
Officiant
Name
Phone
Fee
Service
Organist
Soloist
Altar Boys
Other
Equipment
Aisle Runner
Canopy
Kneeler
Altar
Other
Restrictions
Photography
Candles
Music
Rice/Rose Petals/Seed
Other
Miscellaneous
Total Cost: