Choosing a Location For Your Wedding 

Not so long ago, wedding location choices were simple: a church or temple, the grand ballroom of a luxury hotel or a private home were places where couples got married. Today, the sky's the limit, and some adventurous couples actually take their vows while aloft  in hot-air balloons. Anything goes, and more so if your wedding will be an informal one.

The location you choose to set your ceremony and reception provides the foundation for your wedding style. Once you've made the crucial decision, you can start to compile the guest list, consider the music and flowers and all the other details. If yours is to be a
theme wedding, your site will help bring your vision to life. The great hall of a rented mansion is ideal for a Renaissance theme, while carefully cultivated museum gardens would perfectly frame an afternoon Victorian wedding.

Some Things to Think About 

How soon should I book the wedding date?
If you decide on a church or synagogue, you'll need to book your date as soon as possible. Especially if you have chosen a "special date." The same advice goes for the more contemporary location.
Late spring and early summer are traditionally the busiest months in the wedding business, but September and October are becoming increasingly popular. And Saturday is the day most chose to wed.

Whatever the venue, booking at least a year in advance is the rule of thumb, unless you're flexible on the date.

What about the time of year when selecting a venue?
For a contemporary wedding venue, it would be best to take into account the season of the year. You probably wouldn't want to choose a wedding on a boat in the winter months, especially if you live in a region where the river or lake freezes. However, a winter wedding in a church, synagogue, hotel or even a winery would be
fine, and could even be picturesque if there's a little snow on the ground. But make sure that the venue is perfectly able to deal with snowfall, particularly if it's a more rural setting. Neither you nor your guests will want to face slippery roads or icy sidewalks and pathways. Also, if the building is very old -- like a castle -- the
heating may be an issue during the colder months. Some public buildings close for off-season periods and may not be available.

Are there any special considerations I should make when selecting a venue?

If one of your guests has a disability, you'll want to make sure that the venue is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, with a non-traditional location, it's best to check that the
proprietor is fully insured and that there are clearly marked exits in case of fire. This may not sound like the kind of thing you want to think about when planning your wedding, but it's an important point to cover.

What about the cost?

Most churches require a nominal fee that will cover the cost of the service. It varies from church to church and religion to religion. A civil ceremony will cost around $50 -- again, this varies from state to state.  Check with the local circuit court clerk or deputy clerk. And don't forget that you will have to purchase the marriage license. That will cost you $50 in Florida and is valid for 30 days. Also, make sure you know what documents you'll
need to obtain the marriage license -- it can include anything from photo identifications to final divorce papers to a deceased spouse's death certificate. Also, some states require a medical certificate. The cost of getting married overseas will obviously need to include
the expense of travelling to the foreign country, accommodation, and any celebrating you do. 

Do I need to get anything in writing?

If you decide on a more contemporary location, you will probably be required to sign a contract and will need to make a down payment. This is especially true if you're holding the reception at the same location as the ceremony. If no contract is offered, ask for one. Here
are some tips to help ensure you cover all the bases: 

Make sure the day, date and time of the ceremony (and
reception) is in writing If you have selected a specific room, that should also be in the contract discuss provisions for a change in rooms, including any price
breaks for voluntarily changing rooms find out how early you can have access to the location/room for setup as well as the time by which you and your guests must leave.  If the location is providing the wedding officiator, find out whether that person's fee is included in the overall cost, or if you must pay for it separately.
Determine if there are additional costs for parking, coat
check, etc.  Make sure you understand the payment schedule and the amounts involved. Check on whether the location takes credit cards, personal checks or cash 
Ask about liability insurance and cancellation provisions. 
If you're also holding your reception at the location, discuss costs for catering, food and drink service, clean up, gratuities, etc.  If you choose a "set menu," ask about additional costs for catering to guests who may have dietary restrictions.