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.

You will not believe how cool and unique this wedding ceremony location is. Believe it or not, it's a shopping centre in Sedona Arizona called "Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village." It's incredible!

For starters, Sedona Arizona outdoor wedding venues are already wonderful because they are set in Red Rocks country. Nature has its hold on the influences in the area, so outdoor weddings here are grand ideas. For those who don't want to share their nuptials in the out of doors, Tlaquepaque has that covered too. There is an indoor wedding chapel decorated with art inspired by Old Mexico to match the theme of the rest of the village.

If you're anything like me, your first thought when you heard "shopping centre" and "ceremony location" in the same sentence was "No way, Jose!" but don't rule out Tlaquepaque so fast. One of the really unique features about Tlaquepaque is also one of it's most noticeable features. It's an Old Mexican themed village with art, dining, shopping, and special events all under one fabulous sky shrouded by towering Sycamore trees, tiled pathways, courtyard fountains, and blossoming gardens. What's Read the rest of Unique Ceremony Locations in Sedona, Arizona »

Greek Wedding Tradition… Oopah!

Greek Orthodox weddings are very theatrical. One thing that may surprise you is that in a tradition Greek Orthodox wedding the bride and groom do not exchange vows. Tradition dictates that the bride and groom meet outside the wedding ceremony location (the church) and enter together. The church sees the standing before the priest as a serious commitment and thus no need to exchange vows. They enter the church with the guest following. Yes the guest wait outside the church waiting for the couple to enter first, and take seats where ever they like, there is no brides side or grooms side in traditional Greek weddings.

There are several parts to the wedding ceremony the first is the Rites of the Betrothal. This is the beginning of the ceremony, the priest stands before the bride and groom and ask the bride first do you wish to marry this man, and then ask the groom do you wish to marry this women. After the answer the priest then says a prayer, the “Crowning” takes place the priest holds two wreaths over the bride and grooms heads. The wreaths signify how much give and take a marriage must have, as well as symbolizing that they are now king and queen of their own kingdom.

The couple then drink from a single cup of wine, symbolizing that in marriage all things are Read the rest of Greek Wedding Tradition….. Oopah! »

Understanding the marriage laws in your state will save you time, effort, and money in the long run. There are many laws that could throw a wrench in the wedding plans of which many brides are unaware. Need examples?

• Planning a destination wedding? Make sure that the state that is hosting your wedding ceremony will recognize the union. For instance, you must be a resident of Indiana to be legally married there.
• Hate needles? Let's hope that your wedding ceremony location is in a state that does not require a blood test.
• Taking a honeymoon trip right after the wedding? Make sure that you're back in 10 days to file your marriage license if you were married in Oklahoma.

These and many other laws exist to protect the couples and make their union as special as possible. To understand the applicable wedding laws in your state, simply browse the table below!

State	Age Req.	Waiting Period	Blood Test	Cost	Validity	Residency
Alabama	18	None	None	$25	30 Days	None
Alaska	18	3 Days	None	$25	90 Days	None
Arizona	18	None	None	$50	1 Year	None
Arkansas	None	None	None	$30	60 Days	None
California Article	18	None	None	$50 – $80	90 Days	None
Colorado	18	None	None	$20	30 Days	None
Colorado	18	None	None	$20	30 Days	None
Connecticut Article	18	Varies	Varies	$35	25-35 Days	None
Delaware	18	24 Hours	None	$30	30 Days	None
District of Columbia	18	3 Days	Yes	$35	Indefinitely	None
Florida Article	18	3 Days	None	$56-$88.50	60 Days	None
Georgia	18	None	Yes	$40	None	None
Hawaii	18	None	None	$50	30 Days	None
Idaho	18	None	None	$28	Indefinitely	None
Illinois	18	None	None	$15 – $20	60 Days	None
Indiana	18	None	None	$18	60 Days	Yes
Iowa	18	3 Days	None	$30	None	None
Kansas	18	3 Days	None	$50	6 Months	None
Kentucky	18	None	None	$34.50	29 Days	None
Louisiana	18	3 Days	None	$25	30 Days	None
Maine	18	3 Days	None	$20	90 Days	None
Maryland	18	2 Days	None	$55	6 Months	None
Massachusetts Article	17	3 Days	Yes	$25	60 Days	None
Michigan	18	3 Days	Yes	$20	30 Days	None
Minnesota	18	5 Day	None	$70	6 Months	None
Mississippi	21	3 Days	Yes	$21	90 Days	None
Missouri	18	3 Days	None	$50	30 Days	None
Nebraska	19	None	Some	$15	1 Year	None
Nevada Article	18	None	None	Varies	Indefinitely	None
New Hampshire	18	3 Days	None	$45	90 Days	None
New Jersey Article	18	72 Hours	None	$28	30 Days	None
New Mexico	None	None	None	$25	Indefinitely	None
New York Article	18	1 Day	None	$20-$30	60 Days	None
North Carolina	18	None	None	$40	60 Days	None
North Dakota	18	None	None	$35	60 Days	None
Ohio	18	None	None	$45	60 Days	None
Oklahoma	18	None	Yes	$25	10 Days	None
Oregon	18	3 Days	None	$60	60 Days	None
Pennsylvania Article	18	3 Days	None	$25-$40	60 Days	None
Rhode Island	18	None	None	$24	3 Months	None
South Carolina	18	1 Day	None	$25	Indefinitely	None
South Dakota	18	None	None	$40	20 Days	None
Tennessee	18	None	None	$31	30 Days	None
Texas	18	3 Days	None	$36	30 Days	None
Utah	18	None	None	$40	30 Days	None
Vermont	18	None	None	$20	60 Days	None
Virginia	18	None	None	$30	60 Days	None
Washington	18	3 Days	None	$52	60 Days	None
West Virginia	18	None	None	$23	Indefinitely	None
Wisconsin	18	5 Days	None	$50-$60	30 Days	Yes
Wyoming	18	None	None	$25	Indefinitely	None

The Perfect Wedding Venue: Outdoor Chapels

Getting married in an outdoor wedding chapel is a beautiful, natural experience that will create pleasant memories for a lifetime. Of the many types of outdoor chapels available for wedding ceremonies, glass chapels are perhaps the most popular. Glass chapels and outdoor chapels allow the guests to enjoy your wedding ceremony with a scenic view of the gorgeous countryside. Glass chapels such as Thorncrown Chapel and Anthony Chapel are usually Read the rest of Unique Wedding Venues: Marriage in Outdoor Ceremony Sites »

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.

There are so many options when it comes to planning your perfect wedding in Philadelphia. Your wedding –and every detail of it—should reflect the two of you and your personalities, styles and preferences.

When deciding on your wedding ceremony site, keep in mind the overall feel you want your wedding to have. The lavish Talamore Country Club, the award-winning formal gardens of The Radnor Hotel, the natural elegance of The French Manor or the outdoor simplicity of The Wedding Chapel are all great venues, Read the rest of Tips for the Perfect Philadelphia Wedding »

I am getting married on Saturday August 1, 2009 and I just have a question about who is going to officiate my wedding. My religion is united and I would like to know if I have to belong to a united church before a pastor could perform my wedding vows, or if I am able to have a united clergyman perform my vows without Read the rest of Finding An Officiant For A United Church Wedding Ceremony »

Naturally Beautiful Destination Weddings

Destination weddings are becoming a popular way to tie the knot in the 21st century. With all of the beautifully diverse places the world has to offer it can be hard to choose the right place for your wedding. There is so much that goes into planning a destination wedding: climate, season, budget, how many guests, and the list could go on and on. Then, right when you think you’ve got your mind made up, you think of somewhere else, and the process starts all over again. Below are three great places in the United States with totally different climates that are beautiful venues for destination weddings. Read the rest of Naturally Beautiful Wedding Destinations »

Outdoor Wedding Ideas

For many brides, an outdoor wedding is the dream of a lifetime. So, when planning an outdoor wedding, choosing the right location is critical. And, of course, no outdoor wedding is complete without "A Bad Weather Plan B". Even though you picture a perfect day, the weather may not co-operate and last minute plans may have to be put in place.

When considering a location for an outdoor wedding, you may also want to think about the reception. Do you plan to have only the wedding outdoors, or do you plan to have both the wedding ceremony and the reception outdoors? What are your outdoor wedding ideas? Do you picture your wedding on a beach, by a stream, in a park, a garden, a country inn, a golf course, a historic estate, a scenic landmark, or in the backyard?

Before planning an outdoor wedding discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your wedding planner. Great sources for outdoor wedding ideas are Read the rest of OUTDOOR WEDDING IDEAS »