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Unique Wedding Venues

Are you looking for a wedding venue, but don’t want to go with the traditional options that are overused and boring? Instead of settling for a beach wedding or one in a church, why not try some of these beautiful wedding venue options that will definitely be a memorable choice.

A Chapel

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A chapel is a tiny church that is usually in a secluded location. They are small, so if you have a large invitation list, this will probably not work out for you. However, these venues make for some adorable pictures and the ceremony can be intimate and personal. Plus, you can always have a large reception later on if you wish.

Country Club

Many country clubs have some pretty amazing locations for events such as weddings. Since they typically cater to those who have a bit more money than the rest, they tend to have much nicer facilities than other locations. Keep in mind that these places do tend to be a bit pricey, but if you are already a member, you may be able to get a decent price.

A Winery

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Between the wine and the vineyards, there is something magical about having a wedding planned in a winery. This is also a great location for beautiful pictures and they are a great place for receptions as well. If you don’t live in an area that is known for wineries, check around. Just about every area has a winery around somewhere.

Historic Buildings

Museums and historic buildings are also a great place to hold a wedding. Not only will they be beautiful and memorable, but they will also showcase a special part of the city that you are choosing to be married in. Although they may be difficult to find, consider checking with group that owns the building to see if a wedding can be held there.

Extreme

Do you have a passion for something, like rock climbing or sky diving. This can make a very fun wedding that will get your blood pumping. Naturally, with these types of weddings, your guest list will need to be kept to a minimum, but you can always have a formal reception after the wedding. Pretty much any hobby can be turned into a wedding opportunity, so make sure that you keep your options open.

Castle

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There is nothing quite as romantic as having your wedding in a castle. Of course, you will probably need to travel to find a traditional castle, but you may look around to see if there are any replicas in your area. Some businesses have designed buildings to look like a castle and these are the perfect location for a beautiful and romantic wedding.

Best for Bride

Best for Bride is a fantastic store to find all of your wedding day supplies. From wedding gowns, to décor to dresses for the wedding party, Best for Bride has everything that you will need to make your wedding beautiful and memorable. Be sure to stop in when you are making your wedding day plans.

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Guide to Barn Weddings

Barn weddings are becoming increasingly popular. As couples embrace the rustic chic style, barns and other country settings are in big demand as wedding venues. Though much of the process of using a barn for a wedding venue is the same as using any other type of venue, there are a few differences. What should you know when planning a barn wedding?

When planning the layout for the wedding or reception inside a barn, know the shape and dimensions of the building as well as any interior obstacles and the locations of the doors. It may help you to draw a diagram to plan out the seating arrangements and locations of tables and other items that you’ll be bringing into the space.

The barn offers protection in rain, but what is it like in sweltering heat. What could the weather mean for your wedding and guests? Barns typically aren’t climate controlled. Winter weddings may require you to bring in heaters. Summer wedding may require fans. If you are having a winter or summer barn wedding, you may want to call different barn venues and ask if they have the necessary heating or cooling.

Will you need to spray for mosquitoes the day before the wedding? Ask the owner what weather or insect issues there may be for you and plan accordingly. Barns may or may not have finished floors. Some barns that are rented for weddings have natural dirt floors. This can be a problem if your guests are dressed in formal attire such as long dresses.

Many other types of wedding venues have a kitchen space. Barns, even those regularly rented for weddings, rarely have kitchens. Make sure the barn will have the necessary space and equipment that you or the caterer will need. Some caterers require a working kitchen. Therefore, the availability of the kitchen also may affect your choice of caterer.

Is there ample parking close to the barn? May some guests need to walk farther than others? If so, you may want to have older adults park close and ask others to park farther from the barn. Check with the venue management to see if there will be enough restrooms for your guests. In some cases, couples need to rent bathrooms for their barn weddings.

Know where the electrical outlets are. If possible, plan your reception set up for the best use of the outlets. Don’t overload an outlet or you may end up in the dark. A common way to plan the use of outlets is to dedicate each outlet needed for one particular use. For example, if an outlet is used for coffee, don’t let the band use it. The band’s outlet should only be used for the band.

For more information about how to plan select the perfect venue for your wedding, take a look at the Best for Bride blog.

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Questions to Ask Before Booking a Venue

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Choosing a venue for the wedding and reception is a big part of the wedding planning. The most popular locations fill up quickly. The couple may feel rushed to choose a wedding venue quickly. Before you make a decision, consider some of the possible problems that can occur with wedding venues. If you rush booking a venue before investigating their rules, you may find that their rules prohibit you from doing some of the things you definitely want at your wedding.

Are the rates different for different days and times? When are deposits and payments due? The couple needs to make sure that the wedding venue fits well within their budget. If the wedding date needs to be changed or cancelled, is there a cancellation policy? Make sure you have a clear understanding of any associated costs and fees that may be added such as cleaning and parking fees.

Must your vendors be used? Venues may have a list of vendors that are their “approved vendors.” You may be required to use their florist, caterer, or photographer. Since these professionals know they are the only approved vendors for that venue, they might charge higher prices.

What happens if it rains? If you are looking at outdoor venues, you will want to know what the plans are for rainy days. A venue may have tents that they set up for the ceremony and reception. They might only set up one tent to be used for both the ceremony and reception.

Is alcohol consumption permitted? Some venues will not allow any alcohol on the premises. That champagne toast that you had your heart set on will not be permitted at a venue prohibiting alcohol. Make sure that the rules of the venue don’t contradict with the plans that you had for the reception. Other venues may provide alcohol. If that is the case, you may want to ask about the prices of alcohol.

Are candles allowed? Are there restrictions on decorations? Who is responsible for removing the decorations and cleaning up after the wedding and reception? The couple will need to know who has the responsibility for restoring the room to its pre-reception condition.

What times would my wedding guests be allowed to arrive and when must they leave? Some venues book more than one wedding in a single day. An AM wedding may leave the guests feeling rushed to leave. The PM wedding may mean that your florist or others helping with decorations may feel rushed to get everything ready before the wedding.

The couple may want to ask about the availability of parking, restrooms, and whether or not the venue is handicap accessible. Couples who plan to have dancing and music at the reception may want to ask about the space and any noise restrictions.

Couples should feel comfortable asking the questions and not feel rushed or scrutinized for inquiring. It’s important that you know exactly what is expected before agreeing to the wedding venue. For more tips about wedding planning, browse the Best for Bride blog for helpful advice.

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How to Choose a Venue for your Wedding

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One of the most important factors to consider when you are planning your wedding is the venue that you will be holding it in. You will find that there are many to choose from in your location and it is one of the first decisions that you should make. It is possible that you select the venue before you select the date of your wedding depending on how popular the venue is.

Below you will find some tips on how to choose your venue as well as the things that you should consider while you are going through the decision making process.

Discuss and Negotiate

The first thing that you should do is to talk it over with your spouse to be. It is a good idea to choose a location that you both will love and can agree on. This is also a great time to begin discussing the number of people who will be invited from both sides of the family as well.

Consider your Budget

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Many popular wedding venues cost quite a bit of money in order to book. This is definitely something that can prevent you from selecting certain venues that fall out of your budget. Before making the final choice as to which venue would work best for your wedding, it is a good idea to know how much money that you have to spend.

The Guests

The size of the venue can also be important. For example, if you choose a small venue that only holds 50 people, but you plan to invite 200, you may have a slight problem. On the flip side, a venue that is meant for thousands of people may be overkill if you will only have a hundred guests or so. Consider the people that you expect to attend and choose a venue that suits that number of guests.

The Date

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As mention above, you may find that it is difficult to book certain venues on the actual date of your wedding. For this reason, it is best to see what your options are for the date of your wedding first. Or, better yet, select the venue first and then decide on the date. If you are a bit flexible on the date that you choose, you may find that you have more options to choose from.

Conclusion

When you are selecting your venue, there are many things that you should consider. It is also a good idea to consider where you plan to have the reception at this time as well. Since many people have the reception at a location separate from the wedding venue, this is something that you may want to think about when planning your wedding.

Best for Bride

Best for Bride is a bridal boutique that can help plan your wedding from start to finish. They offer a wide range of wedding gowns as well as many other things that are necessary for your big day. With their help, you will be able to have the best wedding possible, regardless of the venue that you ultimately choose.