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Consider These Possible Settings:
Beaches
/ Parks: Mother Nature has built
some of the most spectacular settings for
weddings. If you are near the
coastline, near lakes or rivers, beaches in your
area may be are available. If
you are at an official beach, be sure
there are no other restrictions in your
chosen area, check with the agency overseeing
the beach. Most communities have
parks available for public use. Check your local street map for
public park locations. Go
to the park; examine the setting; see if it suits your desires;
then check with the overseeing government agency for
any restrictions or user requirements.
It's usually the city in which it is located; occasionally, the
county or state control the
park.
Back
Yards: Consider having your wedding in your own home or back yard, or that of a family member or friend.
Home weddings are usually much more intimate (and
much less expensive) than formal wedding settings.
A home wedding is a very lovely way to celebrate your marriage.
Private
Recreation Facilities: Also
consider
the possibility of a condominium recreation
facility. If you have a
friend or relative who lives in a large condominium,
consider asking him/her to "sponsor"
your wedding at his/her facility.
Private Clubs
& Social Groups: Look for
the private clubs and social groups that rent out their facilities for weddings.
In your area, look up any of the following organizations in your local phone book.
Elks Clubs
Eagles Clubs
Knights of Columbus
Moose Clubs
Women's Clubs
Masons (Masonic Temples)
School Faculty Clubs
(Here's one example:
Cal State Northridge Faculty Club)
Restrictions may apply to these types of facilities.
University Student Religious Centers
Restrictions may apply to these types of facilities.
Contact them for information.
Some Churches will rent their facilities without having to
use their minister and follow their religious philosophy.
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Using the Right
Language:
When you
speak to any people overseeing your potential
wedding location, avoid saying the word
wedding. We suggest you use a
non-wedding word such a family
gathering" or
"party."
Why? Because when you use the word
"wedding," the price frequently
goes up considerably.
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Your Personal Wedding Chapel:
Although some professional wedding chapels are beautiful, they are
also expensive. Mother nature make, by far, the most
beautiful wedding settings. You can also transform any
natural setting into your own sacred space by declaring your
intention that it be so for the time you are there. That is, after all, what
those who run wedding chapels should have done regarding their
facility. For how that is done, see the section titled:
Creating
a Sacred Space '
on our rehearsals page.
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Forgiveness Versus Permission:
If you
look around, you'll very likely find a location
that would make a lovely wedding setting, but is
a location that is not commonly used for
weddings. If you are having a small
wedding party with few guests, you have three
possibilities: 1) Go
elsewhere. 2) Ask the site
owner's permission. 3)
Simply showing up at the site and hold your
ceremony. As long as you are not
damaging the site and as long as you are not on
officially restricted property, there is usually
no problem. If someone notices
your presence, comes to investigate, and object
to your presence, you can say, "We're
sorry, we won't do this here
again."
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Weather:
Have an alternate plan
in case the weather is a problem. Consider the
conditions of excess heat or cold, wind, rain, etc.
If you are renting a professional wedding site, you might choose
a site that has both outdoor and indoor facilities.
If your ceremony is going to be on a hot day, we suggest
that you have some small bottles of cold water available
for your guests. Your guests will appreciate your
forethought and your kindness.
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Time of Day:
A sunset wedding can be beautiful; however you need to keep in
mind that the sun is not going to stand by and wait if you are
late. You also need to consider that most officiants use a
wedding book to facilitate their wedding delivery, and he or she
needs sufficient light to read from the book.
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Appropriate Clothing:
Outdoor wedding weather ranges from hot, mid-day sunshine to
cool, windy evenings. Even here in Southern
California, sunset can mark the start of a very chilly, windy
evening. Occasionally
the weather cools well before sunset. For example, if
your wedding is on the bluffs overlooking the ocean, the wind may
be quite chilly well before sunset, so be prepared and advise your
guest to dress appropriately for the weather and for the setting.
Consider for yourself and you may suggest
to your guests that they bring sun screen, umbrellas, and water
for hot weather and jackets or windbreakers for cooler weather.
Although most professionals will ask you,
also be sure to inform your wedding service providers (Musicians, Caterers,
etc) what type of setting they will be working in.
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Shoes:
Remember shoes that
work well with a beautiful dress in a hotel ballroom are often a
disaster in an outdoor setting. Imagine walking on a
path in the woods and/or walking on a sandy beach in high
heals. Bring appropriate shoes, and invite your guest to
do the same.
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Guests from Another Part of the Country:
If your guest are coming
from a long distance or from another
country, they will very likely dress to match their image of sunny
southern California. Be sure to advise them to also be
prepared for cool and windy weather.
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Rentals:
If you need to rent chairs, tents, or anything else, check
the local rental agencies.
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