How to Find a Unique Wedding Venue
Personalize Your Wedding Day With a Non-Traditional Location
May 9, 2009
Few couples would say that a hotel ballroom or banquet hall is the ultimate expression of their personalities. However, traditional wedding venues offer the experience, security and convenience of having hosted hundreds, even thousands of weddings. But for the bride and groom who want a completely personalized wedding day and don't mind some extra work, an unusual venue could be a great choice. Here are some things to consider when deciding between a traditional and non-traditional wedding venue:
Advantages of a Non-Traditional Venue
- fewer brides and grooms will be competing for a particular wedding date
- a venue that hosts few weddings may negotiate with couples on price
- can be a very memorable experience for guests
- allows the bride and groom to express their personality as a couple
- may have more flexibility in terms of time and date of wedding
- the bride and groom have more control over all aspects of the wedding
Disadvantages of a Non-Traditional Venue
- a venue that is less experienced in hosting weddings may provide less support in planning
- venue may require additional planning by the bride and groom, such as rental of chairs, tables, and sound system
- bride and groom may have to bring in a caterer and bar service, whereas a traditional venue may provide these services
- brides and grooms may experience family resistance to a non-traditional wedding location
- a religious ceremony may not be possible at a non-traditional venue
Where Can I Find a Non-Traditional Wedding Venue?
Many couples choose to get married at a venue that has personal meaning to them, like the restaurant where they had their first date. Other couples tie their wedding to a hobby or passion, like the paleontologists who get married in a museum, or the amusement-park enthusiasts who get married on a roller coaster. In selecting a non-traditional wedding venue, couples need to consider not only what best represents them, but what they can afford and where their guests will be comfortable.
Unique and Unusual Venues for Wedding Ceremonies and Receptions:
- museums
- historic and interpretive sites
- farms,ranches and barns
- bars and restaurants
- theaters (live theaters and movie theaters are both popular choices)
- public parks and beaches
- art galleries
- libraries
- amusement parks
- campgrounds and cottages
- castles and historic homes
- zoos
- renting a bed and breakfast for the weekend
These are just a few ideas. With a bit of imagination, almost anywhere has the potential to be a unique wedding venue. Because a non-traditional wedding venue often requires more planning than a standard banquet hall, brides and grooms who are creative, flexible, and independent-minded are often the best fit for this option. The extra work involved is rewarded with a wedding day that friends and family will be talking about for years to come!
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