Wedding Times

Photo by Extra Medium

Once upon a time, tradition stated that marriage was a commitment that needed to be made before God. While nowadays you can tie the knot almost anywhere, for many people tradition is still important. Here’s a comparison of ten of the most traditional wedding locations.

1. The Church

Perhaps the most traditional place to get married and still one of the most popular. The main benefit of getting married in a church (or synagogue/mosque/insert place of worship here) is if you or your fiancé has particular religious beliefs you feel are important to include in your wedding. Other benefits may be the inclusion of an organist or other musician in with the price of the ceremony and the fact that those that the officiant will generally have a vast experience of weddings.

Some people choose not to marry in a church due to strict religious rules. Roman Catholic churches for example, often won’t marry a couple unless both the bride and groom are Roman Catholics. They may also have restrictions on the type and volume of decorations that can be placed around the venue.

2. The Wedding Chapel

If you want to keep the ceremony formal but don’t want to have religion attached, a non-denominational wedding chapel may be the choice for you. These chapels provide the minister, decorations, and in some cases, a degree of wedding planning.

Chapels do tend to book fairly quickly though so give yourselves plenty of time before your wedding date.

3. The Great Outdoors

Getting married outdoors has many benefits. A public area, such as a gazebo in a park, may only carry a small nominal fee or have no cost at all. In addition many outdoor locations are already very attractive so the need for decorations will be limited.

However, tying the knot outdoors can have its disadvantages. Depending on where you choose to get married, bugs and pests could be a problem, but of course the biggest and most obvious downside is that you are dependent on weather. Check on weather.com to see the weather predictions in your area for your chosen date.

4. Your Home

While you will still have to tie the knot at a venue where you are legally allowed to, a home reception can be great for those that are on a budget and wish to have a small, intimate gathering with vast scope to truly personalize the space with whichever decorations you choose.

A disadvantage to being married at home is that you will be limited to the number of people that can attend by the amount of space you have. You will also be responsible for organizing everything yourself and making sure that all arrive when they are scheduled to. Weddings in a home can also quickly become very expensive as you may need to rent furniture, sound systems, or lighting.

5. The Hotel

A wedding in a hotel can provide much of the elegance and formality of a church wedding without the religious restrictions. Many hotels also have wedding coordinators on-site that can help you plan aspects of your wedding.

The biggest disadvantage of getting married in a hotel is the price. Hotels are often among the more expensive venues.

6. Fabulous Las Vegas

While unconventional, Vegas has developed a tradition of its own. The midnight elopement to the casino chapel has been exchanged for a classier affair and every year couples flock to Las Vegas tie the knot. The city has much to offer and your guests will never be bored with a huge array of stellar acts on show to provide entertainment before the main event, your wedding.

If you’re looking for a quiet, secluded ceremony, the busy lights of Las Vegas may not be the right choice for you.

7. The Beach

A newer tradition, this is becoming a very popular choice. An excellent location to view some of the most romantic scenery available while you feel the sand beneath your toes as you say your vows.

The biggest disadvantage again is the weather and the seating arrangements. Be prepared to pay for chairs to be brought in and have a tarp or tent covering the ceremony area.

8. The Conservatory

Conservatories are wonderful places to get married. The lush greenery and blooms around you will provide all the decorations you need and as it’s indoors, you won’t need to worry about weather while still keeping a natural atmosphere.

9. The Place You Love

Many couples choose to put their personalities on display when choosing a venue for their wedding. This often means hosting the event at a place they love to spend their time. For example, golf courses are great places to get married and after the ceremony, you can always take the reception to the clubhouse.

The downside to these venues is they may not allow wedding ceremonies and can often be expensive.