How to Choose an Unusual Place to Get Married

You're ready to say "I do," but the idea of a traditional church wedding doesn't excite you, and your parents' backyard isn't quite right either. What are the alternatives?

Instructions

STEP 1: Consider your personalities and common interests. These can be a jumping-off point for coming up with creative locations.

STEP 2: Think of any places that have personal meaning for you. Did you meet in a beautiful park? Get engaged on a lovely beach?

STEP 3: Flip through brochures of local sites of interest. You may not have considered the zoo or a theme park, but chances are they can accommodate weddings, and they certainly aren't traditional.

STEP 4: Look into locations such as wildlife preserves, picturesque cliffs, sailboats, sandbars, forests, golf courses or hot air balloons.

STEP 5: Combine your wedding and reception at a location such as a ranch, botanical garden, yacht, ferry, old mansion, beach, winery, museum, theater or historical site.

STEP 6: Consider building an entire wedding theme around your location - or choosing a theme and then finding a location to match.

STEP 7: Compromise if you have different interests. Say your vows on his favorite ball field, then hold your reception at an aquarium.

STEP 8: Remember to accommodate your wedding party and guests. An underwater wedding may be fun for you, but how will you get your non-swimming mother-in-law down there with you?

STEP 9: Make sure the person you've chosen to perform the ceremony is available at the location you choose.

STEP 10: Remember that you'll need to make reservations well in advance, just as you would for any other wedding location.

Tips & Warnings

--Be sure to visit the site in person before you commit to it.
--Not all public sites can accommodate weddings. Make sure to check before you get your heart set on one location.
--Be sure that the site won't remain open to the public during your wedding. You don't want a field trip of third graders wandering through at a serious moment.

 

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