Ask The Celebration Advisor: We're getting married this fall and would love to consider an alternative location before entering into a contract with our first choice. Does anyone have suggestions for outdoor or unique venues? Our main concern is the cost of catering in a typical hall, hotel ballroom, etc. and want to be able to reduce or eliminate the catering bill and buy and provide our own food. Lola

The Celebration Advisor: Lola, you really have two separate issues at hand. One – wedding location venue. Two – Budget friendly catering.

Let's discuss wedding location venues. With outdoor weddings, venues can run the gamut from a backyard to a state park to a national landmark to an open outdoor area. The key to finding these unique locations is to think about outdoor venues you enjoy.

Outdoor Venues
State Parks
This past summer my cousin's son wedding took place in our local state park. The park's amphitheater was the perfect setting for a wedding. Many state parks allow weddings and often have buildings that can be rented for the wedding reception. Since the state parks only furnish the building and grounds, they leave the catering up to you. Some cities have fantastic city parks ideal for weddings.

Backyards
Another great outdoor venue is someone's backyard. In the fall of 2007, I attended a wedding held in a backyard. The backyard did not belong to the bride or her family nor the groom or his family. Instead a family friend of the bride offered her yard as the wedding venue. Using the backyard of a family member or a family friend can add a sentimental touch to the celebration and give you many options for the reception.

Botanical Gardens
I have seen weddings taking place at botanical gardens. Botanical garden and arboretums have large grassy areas that can accommodate weddings. Like state parks, gardens are ideal places for outdoor weddings.

Unique Wedding Venues
Historical Buildings
In my town we have a historical courthouse that can be rented for weddings. Many historical building foundations supplement their expense by renting there facilities out for events like weddings. The Frank Lloyd house Taliesin West in Scotsdale Arizona rents its grounds for small events. So if you have any historical buildings in your town check them out.  They might be just what you are looking for.

Bed & Breaksfast
Bed & breakfasts are another unique place to host your wedding and reception. Sometimes you can get a wedding package that includes catering and a honeymoon night stay.

Those are just a few of the many wedding location options available. Your best bet would be to look around your town and see if there is a place you think would make a good wedding location. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Affordable catering
Although you think cooking the food for your wedding will save you money, in the long run it probably won't be worth the time and hassle. You can have your cake (and a lot of other foods) and eat it too. Catering doesn't have to blow your budget. Many caterers have different levels of service with different prices ranges. The food at your reception doesn't have to be the traditional fish or chicken served dish. In fact, you don't have to have a sit down dinner with waiters at your reception. Buffet style food is an affordable catering alternative.

Another budget saving idea is timing your wedding so a "meal" is needed. Instead have your wedding in the afternoon and serve light finger foods or hors d'oeuvres. The wedding I attended in the backyard was held in the afternoon and the food consisted of chocolate covered strawberries, cheese straws, cucumber sandwiches, a wonderful vegetable platter, a delightful punch and champagne. Oh and of course a wedding cake and a grooms cake. By having the wedding in the afternoon, the need for a heavy dinner was eliminated.

Of course the wedding reception will need to match the formality of the wedding ceremony. Keep in mind a less formal wedding can have a less formal wedding reception. The affordable alternatives for wedding reception foods increases with the informality of the reception. The way to get the best bang for your wedding reception food buck is to discuss all the catering options available with the caterers you interview. I'm sure they will have an options that will suit your needs and budget.

Congratulations and I hope this information will help you achieve the wedding of your dreams.

Ask The Celebration Advisor: Hello, I'm planning my wedding but here's the thing, i was raised catholic and my groom to be is a muslim, so we've decided to keep it non religious.  Also, we have decided we want only those closest to us to come, and altogether that's 20 people. I want to have a  beautiful fun and memorable wedding, but I would feel silly renting a big hall for only 20 people. Is there a way to have a nice non  traditional  wedding ceremony and reception for 20?  Kattlin Wedding will be in North Battleford , Saskatchewan ~ Kattlin

The Celebration Advisor: You have so many wonderful options and many require you to think outside of the box.   Depending on the time of year, garden or parks make great wedding venues.  Other great wedding ceremony locations are historical buildings, museums, libraries and government buildings.  Many bed and breakfasts or lodges are more than places to stay offering their facilities for weddings and other gatherings.  The North Battleford , Saskatchewan area has several bed and breakfasts.  With your small group a bed and breakfast is the ideal place for an intimate wedding.

You can have both the ceremony and the wedding reception at a bed and breakfast.  The home-like decor will create an intimate and romantic atmosphere.  Here are a few suggestions on what to look for when choosing a bed and breakfast for your wedding:

• A bed and breakfast with a large patio area.  This way your can set up the wedding reception music entertainment on the patio.
• A large porch or stair case where you, the groom and the wedding officiant can stand during the wedding. This will take the place of the alter and will elevate you above the guests allowing them the best view during the ceremony.
• A B & B with a spacious common area. This will allow you ample room for your reception and ceremony.
• Catering services or working relationship with caterers.
• A bed & breakfast with wedding packages
• Ample parking since even a small group of wedding guests will require a fair amount of parking area. If you plan to leave for your honeymoon in a limousine make sure there is room for it in front of the B & B.
• Find a place that will allow you to personalize the rooms with flowers and decorations

A memorable wedding is not defined by the size of the place it is held. Your personal touches and the inclusion of your guests in the occasion are what make a wedding memorable and fun. So think outside the box. Any location that is special to you or has qualities that you enjoy is the perfect place for a intimate and memorable wedding. My wedding was held at my sister-in-laws house. We said our vows in front of the fireplace. For us it was the perfect balance of romance and comfort. So open your mind to the non-traditional places and you'll find the perfect place for your wedding.