This is the part where you walk down the aisle and say 'I Do' to the man you love. This will mark the real beginning of a union in which you'll share your life, happiness, tears and dreams. The Ceremony Site you choose will need to reflect your religious beliefs, your backdrop (indoor/outdoor) and the intimacy-level you want to share with your guests (is it small and quiet or in an open space with hundreds of guests?). Here are some things to consider when looking at the site at which you'll tie your lives together.

The Big Picture - What's Yours?

The BIG Picture: Ask yourself what you'd like most to have as part of your ceremony... Write down anything that strikes your heart the right way.

• Outdoors in a park with a big white tent?

• Outdoors at a venue with lots of green grass or water nearby?

• In a church or chapel? 

• Incorporating religious beliefs?

• In an estate or home or backyard?

• An unique ceremony: theme wedding, on horseback, etc.

The Religious Aspect

If you regularly go to church, do both you and your groom go to the same one? If not, can you find a way to honour both religions or officiants? Some options may be to...

• Incorporate two officiants, the Bride's and the Groom's

• Hold the wedding elsewhere with a different officiant who can help you incorporate both faiths or have a neutral ceremony that minimizes the emphasis on religious beliefs and focuses on the spirituality of the union your are making

• Hold the ceremony in a chapel with the chapel officiant

• Get married by a Judge/Justice of the Peace privately, followed by the reception of your dreams (keep in mind, this may cause some friction with family members

What details should I find out about?

Booking Your Church/Officiant...

• What dates are available? Times?

• What is the cost? Churches may have prices or recommend donation amounts, chapels and other venues usually have a flat rate fee depending on the time needed (the ceremony itself can be 30-60 minutes in most situations, not including guests arrivals, departures and photo sessions).

• Are there any rules against hiring your own musicians?

• Are there rules about throwing rice (many churches don't allow this for environmental reasons)?

• Will the church choir sing for your wedding if you'd like them to?

• Is an organist/pianist provided? If not, do they have a list of preferred musicians? What is the cost?

• How many guests can the location seat?

An Outdoor Ceremony: A Whole Other Story

If holding your ceremony outdoors, you'll need the following...

• Chairs (and someone to set them up - usually the rental company you rented them from)

• An aisle-runner or flat surface to walk down

• A tent in case of rain (if you're afraid of ruining the outdoor-feel by having a tent, simply do not attach the sides!)

• An area where you can hide until it is your turn to go down the aisle

• An alter table for signing on the dotted line and for decoration

• Loads of flowers and greenery for decorating the inside of the tent, the outside area, and the tent poles

• Lighting if an evening wedding (lighting an evening outdoor wedding holds endless possibilities although may prove to increase expense)

• Electricity or a generator if needed (often vendors have ideas where this is concerned and may provide their own)

• String Musicians or Quartets are amazing for outdoor ceremonies. Soloists and choirs are good too, but they may be singing acapella (depending on electricity availability).

• To locate the parking area and determine how to get guests and the wedding party from there to the ceremony location without confusion

• To accept that there may be rain and recommend that guests (and the Bridesmaids) avoid wearing heels if at all possible

Miscellaneous items you don't want to forget

Miscellaneous things to think about... Churches often ask you to take part in marriage classes. These classes may be a weekend-style workshop, group meetings at the church with other couples, or the classes may come in the form of a several private meetings between the couple and the officiant where you discuss everything and anything to do with your beliefs, morals, and future dreams. These classes are meant to prepare you for marriage in general, for situations that will or could arise throughout your relationship. While marriage classes sound scary by description, often couples come away feeling renewed and even closer to their partner than they were before.

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