Outdoors
Photo Credit: Tanja Lippert Photography (left); Elizabeth Messina
PROS
Nature-made decor
Let’s face it, who needs lavish decorations when an amber sunset, blooming wildflowers or acres of kelly-green hills can serve as your backdrop? “Outdoor and tent weddings are among my favorite,” says Allison Sargent, of Allison Sargent Events in New Jersey, whose own daughter, Carly, was recently married in a custom-built tent overlooking two fairways on a golf course. “Everyone loves the outdoors on a glorious day,” she says.
A blank canvas
“Tented receptions are fantastic because they are blank canvases,” says Julie Pryor, of Pryor Events in Los Angeles. “You can add dramatic lighting, carpeting, and draping. And clear tents bring the outdoors in.”
CONS
Unpredictable weather
“I am a big fan of outdoor events, but you need to be flexible and realize you do not have control of the weather, which has a mind of its own,” says Pryor. “I always have a backup for outdoor events, even in Southern California. This may be an indoor space that an event can be moved into or a gorgeous tent.”
Tents are costly While the cost of tents can vary widely, based on size, type and structural design, Marcy Blum of Marcy Blum Events and Weddings in New York City says you should “absolutely” expect to pay more for a tented wedding because you’re shelling out for “not only the tent, but also for the tables, chairs, and other peripherals that are rarely included in site fees.”
Temperature control
“When you host your wedding outdoors you are always vulnerable to weather and change in temperature,” says Colin Cowie, of Colin Cowie Events and Celebrations, in New York and Los Angeles. What to do? “Make sure to shield guests from the sun during the day and provide heaters in the evening,” advises Pryor. Handing out paper fans and parasols can go a long way toward making your guests feel as comfortable as possible.
Next: Hotel ►
Hotel
Getting married at a hotel or resort is a popular choice. The number-one draw? Convenience for you and your guests.
PROS
Experienced staff
“Hotels are accustomed to entertaining and hosting large groups of people,” says Cowie. “Here, you have a full infrastructure and team you can rely on.”
Rentals included
Because hotels typically provide everything you need to host your wedding, you won’t have to worry about bringing in lots of tables, chairs, linens, dishes, silverware, and stemware.
Built-in accommodations
You will often be able to reserve a block of rooms for your out-of-town guests at a discounted rate. And many hotels offer wedding packages that include free honeymoon stays.
CONS
Lack of flexibility
Depending on the hotel, your ability to rearrange the tables to suit your preferences may be limited. “Some banquet managers can be set in their ways and make it difficult to change things up,” says Blum.
Hidden costs
It’s important to find out exactly what’s included in your wedding—and what’s not. “For a hotel wedding, inquire about cake-cutting fees, valet costs, and overtime charges before signing a contract,” advises Pryor.
Other Restrictions
You may have to use the hotel’s vendors, such as the florist and/or lighting designer.
Photo Credit: Avery House
Next: Restaurant ►
Restaurant
If exceptional food and service is a top priority for your wedding, consider saying your “I dos” at a fine-dining establishment.
Great food
Jessica Mean held her September 4, 2011, wedding reception for 95 guests at Acre Restaurant in Chicago. Jessica calls herself an amateur foodie, so good food and drinks were a must for her wedding. “After touring a few banquet hall and hotel ballroom venues, my husband and I realized we either had to book a restaurant that served the type of food we wanted or a raw space that would allow us to bring in our own caterer. But the cost of turning the raw space into something appealing would have blown our budget.”
Well-trained service staff
“Restaurants are in the business of making good food and providing good service,” says Jessica. Regardless, Pryor stresses the importance of booking eateries that are experienced in handling large parties.
Minimal rentals required
Because restaurants already have tables, chairs, linens and other service items on hand, your rental costs will be much lower for a restaurant wedding than for a banquet wedding.
CONS
Restricted space
If you want to dance the night away on your big day, a restaurant might not be right for you. “Restaurants are usually not designed with dancing, grand entrances, live bands or bouquet tossing in mind,” admits Jessica.
Buyout may be necessary
“Restaurants are expensive if you have to do a buyout,” says Blum. “They will charge what they would have made on à la carte seating.”
Photo Credit: Elizabeth Messina
Next: Destination ►
Destination
Getting married away from home is exciting, glamorous, and a bit unexpected. And no doubt many of your guests will be happy to go along for the ride.
Photo Credit: KT Merry
PROS
Change of scenery
“Destination weddings are always beautiful and a favorite of many brides,” says Sargent. “Each far-flung location has its own wonderful attributes.”
Fewer guests saves money
The upside to a smaller guest list is that your catering costs go down significantly. “We went on a three-week-long trip of a lifetime, stayed in the best places, ate wonderful food, and had the wedding of our dreams with only our nearest and dearest,” says New Yorker Beata Santora, of her recent wedding in Italy. “We didn’t skimp and still wound up spending less than most people in New York City pay for just the flowers or dresses.” Fewer guests also allows you to focus more attention on those who made the trip. Which leads to…
Quality time with guests
“What I love most about a destination wedding is that you get to take a smaller group of friends and family away and spend 72 or more quality hours with them in a remote and romantic setting rather than have a single bash in your hometown for 250 people that is all over in five hours,” says Cowie.
“Always check the typical weather for your potential date, so you don’t end up in the middle of a rainy season or heat wave.”—Allison Sargent
CONS
Guests’ expenses go up
Airfare alone can be a hefty cost for a wedding guest. Then there are accommodations, car rental fees, a wedding gift, and more.
You’re in tour-guide mode
Because you’re taking guests to unfamiliar territory, it’s essential that you make them feel at ease. “As guests respond that they will be attending, let them know that you cannot wait to celebrate with them,” suggests Pryor. “It is also considerate to plan weekend activities for your guests,” she says.
Local customs and resources
With a destination wedding, you will often have to put your trust in vendors located many miles away and with whom you may not be very familiar. “You have to rely on local resources or pay big dollars to ship it all in,” says Cowie. “Getting married in a different country is a challenge because each country has its own set of laws when it comes to marriage,” he says.
Next: At Home ►
At Home
Having your wedding at home (or at a friend or family member’s home) is a great way to capture a sense of warmth and privacy on your big day.
Photo Credit: Lori Ferguson/Lee Photography
PROS
Sentimental value
“The best part about having your wedding at home is that it is so personal. There’s nothing like getting married under the big tree you used to climb as a child,” says Cowie. Dawn Wellington Psaromatis (with her dad, above), who got married near Austin, Texas in November 2011, says she always wanted to wed outdoors and in a setting that had special meaning. “A good friend’s parents offered their home for our wedding,” says Dawn. “It’s like a second home to me and it’s always been filled with love and laughter.”
Room for flexibility
When getting married at home, you have full rein over things like your wedding date, timeline, and more. Dawn’s ceremony took place in a wooded area of the backyard, which complemented her fall garden-party theme. “The chairs were arranged in a horseshoe, so we could be literally surrounded by our family and friends,” she says.
Reduced liquor budget
Buying your own wines, beers and spirits (especially at reduced bulk rates) can be a huge cost saver.
CONS
Rental costs go up
Although you save money on the venue itself, a wedding for a large group can get expensive simply because of all the rentals you’ll need. “Remember that you will need to bring everything in, from tables and chairs to bars, glasses and even cooking equipment,” says Pryor.
Valet parking
Another important task is to assess the parking situation. Consider arranging for valet parking—and let your neighbors know ahead of time.
Cleanup required
At the end of the wedding, someone has to do the potentially massive job of cleaning up. This can either be an added expense (hiring a cleaner) or a task bestowed on a few very generous volunteers.
Next: One-Stop Venue ►
One-Stop Venue
You can have your ceremony and reception in the same place: a catering hall or a church or synagogue that has an event space.
PROS
Convenience of one site
Sticking with a single venue keeps the logistics simple for everyone involved. Arrive at one place, then relax and enjoy.
No transportation worries
Hiring a shuttle, traffic that could delay your party, and guests getting lost on the way from the ceremony to the reception are all non-issues when you have one venue.
Price is right
In terms of overall cost, one site means one site fee. “I would rate a one-stop venue as inexpensive to moderately expensive because you are only decorating and putting all of your efforts into one venue,” says Sargent. “As with some of your other choices, catering costs can vary but typically this is one of the most cost-effective options around.”
CONS
Decor budget goes up
You have the space. Now you need to work some magic to make it look like what you envisioned your wedding to be. As Blum explains, “One-stop venues are not usually the prettiest locations and may require a lot of decor dollars.”
Bound by the rules
The house may want you to stick to a particular setup or have limitations on the use of candles or lighting equipment and sound. Also, says Pryor, “Be sure to check on which vendors can be brought in. You do not want to be locked into the venue’s referrals.”
Potential “wedding factory” feel
With venues that rely on weddings for their bread and butter, you risk feeling like you’re just one in a long line of brides waiting for their turn to use the space. This is especially true if you happen to bump into another bride getting married in an adjoining room. Talk about buzz kill. Furthermore, says Cowie, “The problem with one-stop venues is most weddings tend to look the same unless you are bringing in big decor elements and have the time to set them up.” So the way to ensure that this is your day is to transform the space as best you can to suit your vision.
More Locations:
► Outdoors
► Hotel
► Restaurant
► Destination
► At Home