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| Wedding Ceremony
& Vows |
| Location, Location, Location: Perfect Wedding Spots |
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Wedding
magic often arises from where you're speaking
your vows. Outdoor weddings feel different
from indoor ones, and small intimate churches
are very different from backyards or cathedrals.
Each unique wedding site, though, has
unique challenges. Choose your site, and
then plan well.
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- If it's popular, book it now.
The Wedding Pavilion at Disneyworld is booked
five years in advance. Busy venues that do events
besides weddings must be booked early as well.
Parks and beaches often require permits; contact
the park department in your area to find out.
- Do they allow it? Not everyone
allows a marriage ceremony on their facilities;
if you are booking the reception, make sure
you can have the wedding there too. Be creative;
if they say no, ask about a wedding in their
garden or if they can offer a suggestion for
a nearby site. And give them the information
you have for scheduling, ceremony type, and
number of guests at any event you're planning
to have at their location.
- Ask about restrictions.
Smoking, food, alcohol (especially in public
parks and beaches), music, photography - any
or all of these may be restricted. Historical
locations often don't like photos. Aquariums
and zoos don't like anything that disturbs the
animals. And you may have to use a caterer they've
signed a contract with, especially for more
public venues like convention centers or public
museums.
- Get special liability insurance.
You should be prepared for anything. Besides,
many sites require insurance.
- If it's an outdoor wedding, make
just-in-case plans. What if it rains?
Have an indoor emergency venue waiting as a
standby, rather than have your wedding ruined.
- Ask what they'll provide and what
you must bring. This goes down to tables
and chairs. Draw a map of where you want things
to be situated: for the wedding, your registry,
seats for guests, where the bride enters, decorations,
smoking area, child-emergency area, and anything
else you can think of. And for the reception,
all tables and chairs, tables for gifts and
for food, bride and groom's table.
- Everyone forgets the bathrooms.
Visit the location before booking the wedding
and look for access issues for older or handicapped
guests, adequate smoking areas, diaper changing
areas, bathrooms that are large enough and have
mirrors, and ask about power. You may have to
supply some of your own amenities, depending
on what's available. Ask about heating and A/C,
as appropriate for your time of year. Do windows
open? Do they have a kitchen? Is there space
for a buffet? Get it settled in advance and
you won't be stuck with inadequate facilities.
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You'll find even
more great ideas for making your ceremony the
magical occasion it should be in our Wedding
Toolkit. Don't be scared of the planning;
help us guide you through creating the perfect
wedding you always dreamed of... |
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