Location, Location, Location

Your wedding location choices are as unlimited as your imagination. People have exchanged vows just about anywhere you can imagine, from hot-air balloons and ski slopes to skating rinks and driving ranges. Even if you choose a more traditional location, logistical issues are an important consideration. An outdoor wedding, for example, would be at the mercy of a change in the weather, including the possibility of rain. Or snow?
A large hotel room may overwhelm your intimate party. Try to consider every factor, including convenience for out-of- town guests. Your wedding location must be flexible enough to handle both a formal ceremony and a reception or dinner just in case.
If the reception will be held at some distance from the ceremony location, be sure to arrange for transportation and/or maps for your guests so no one gets lost. Religious traditions sometimes help a couple narrow their focus; you may want to be married in your hometown church, or under the huppah in your parents' back yard.
In any event, the feel of your ceremony is established by location. Take your time, and try out several ideas before making your final decision.

Questions to consider when choosing a location:
" Where you will stay before the ceremony?
" How you will make your entrance?
" Will you have a cocktail hour before the dinner? If so, where will it be held?
" Are you bringing in your own caterer, or is one available at the site?
" Will you hold your reception at a venue convenient to the ceremony location?

Alternative location suggestions:
" A quaint old church
" Your home or your parents' home
" A hall at a cosy inn
" An art museum
" On the sand at the beach
" A park

Finding the Perfect Wedding Location

You've got that beautiful ring sparkling on your finger and it's time to start looking for the perfect spot to look into each other's eyes and say, "I do." Where do you start? Here are a few tips to get you on your way:

Starting points
Remember that many top locations are booked up to a year in advance. But if you have less than a year to plan, don't worry -- it's still possible to find the ideal spot for your nuptials in time.
First, narrow your search to a general area. Are you envisioning a wedding along the beach? In a park? At a country club? This will make your choices seem less overwhelming and can help you eliminate many places right away.
Viewing the venue
Once you've found a few locations that might interest you, don't visit them yet. You might drive all the way there just to find out that the date you want is already taken. So call the catering manager or whoever handles booking the venue to see if your date is available.
Have more than one date and keep in mind that being flexible can help you book the date you want and be more economical. For instance, a lunch reception is less expensive than dinner and might be more available on the date you want. Also, if you're set on a particular weekend and the Saturday is booked, try a Friday evening wedding or a Sunday brunch. These are usually less expensive choices. The time and day could help you save on your reception budget.
You've found the perfect spot
If you and your fiancé have found the perfect place, (and you both agree on it) don't wait to book it. If all the terms are satisfactory, sign a contract and leave the deposit as soon as you can. Hesitating can mean that some other lucky bride might get your dream location on your dream day.
Alternative choices
Maybe you don't want to do the country club reception. Or all the traditional places you've thought of are taken. Stretch your imagination a little and plan a wedding in a more unusual or exciting venue. These types of weddings, because they veer from the ordinary, often leave a lasting impression on guests and great memories for the bride.
Boats: Just imagine saying, "I do" during a bright tangerine sunset, cruising along beautiful Southbank Harbour. There's a gentle wind in your hair and the peacefulness of the water puts all your guests at ease. Then, you all dance and party the night away under the moonlight and stars. What could be more memorable than a boat wedding? It's a viable option for anyone in Australian capital cities.
Many companies offer boats designed to host weddings and special events. Some of the boats even have a large room to accommodate many guests in one space.
Parks: A lush green background or stunning view can create the ideal backdrop for reciting precious vows. A lovely beach park can work well for smaller groups of 50 to 70 people.
Museums: So you and your beloved have always dreamed of a ceremony with sophistication and class. A wedding ceremony in an art museum can be the ultimate site.

Remember that choosing a ceremony location outdoors means you'll have to consider the time of the year and the weather, and how that will affect the theme or style of your wedding.
And lastly, don't get frustrated. There is a wedding location just perfect for you. You just might have to be a little flexible or imaginative to find it.