By Henry Moore
Love is love. Planning a wedding, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated. Many couples want the food to be just right, the music to incorporate memories from their time together, and the decorations to show off their tastes. A major factor in creating a successful big day, however, is the venue. Without the right place to hold the ceremony and reception, it can be hard to enjoy yourself on what should be the happiest day of your life.
Fortunately, there are tons of great wedding venues across the U.S., some traditional and some more eclectic, modern, and open-minded. No matter what theme you’re going for or how many guests you have, there’s always a way to have a ceremony that reflects who you and your partner are in the most beautiful way. So here are some tips from Short Weeks Long Weekends to get the wedding you deserve!
Head to the zoo
If you and your partner are dyed-in-the-wool animal lovers, or if your first date was at the local zoo, why not say “I do” surrounded by some of the most magnificent creatures on the planet? Zoo weddings have become increasingly common, particularly during months when the weather is most cooperative.
If you live in New York City, the Bronx Zoo offers a fantastic wedding and reception venue, and their wedding package includes a four-hour reception with a two-course dinner. For those in Southern California, the San Diego Zoo ensures a safari paradise to complete your nuptials, and your guests may even catch sight of a giraffe or tiger. From coast to coast and in between, the United States offers numerous world-class zoos that ensure a captivating experience.
Choose a hotel
Holding your wedding at a hotel comes with many benefits, including being able to host the reception at the same location and offering up a place for friends and family to stay. It also makes destination weddings even easier. Some of the most beautiful spots for a hotel wedding include the Four Seasons Resort in Lanai, Hawaii, which offers ballrooms with ocean views, the Peninsula Chicago, which has a beautiful terrace that accommodates up to 450 guests, and the Beverly Hills Hotel, which boasts outdoor garden space and a staff that will help you plan the big day. Click here for a few more great hotel spots around the country. Keep in mind that due to limited space, you may need to make arrangements many months in advance.
Go for some drama
If you and your partner love movies, musicals, or the theater, consider finding a beautiful, dramatic venue to host your big day. The Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, former silent movie house The Vox in Kansas City, and Gem Theatre in Detroit are some great examples of gorgeous, theatrical spaces that are perfect for hosting a wedding. Of course, these are all venues that can hold quite a few people, but you may need to find an alternative space for the reception. Check out the rules and regulations before making any decisions.
Set up a venue at your home
Of course, one of the best wedding venues in the entire country could be right outside in your very own backyard. If you have the space and don’t mind hosting your own wedding, you can easily set things up to have your very own dream wedding at home. This may involve sprucing up your property and making simple repairs and changes to ensure everything looks fantastic (some of these repairs may even boost the value of your home!). And while that may seem like a lot of work, you won’t have to worry about something happening to the venue you’ve selected!
Keep in mind that you may want to pay some attention to the interior of your home as well. In addition to cleaning and decluttering your home, you may want to find a professional upholstery cleaner near you to give you furniture some love, especially if you have pets who frequently like to sleep on sofas and chairs.
No matter what kind of wedding day you and your partner want to have, make it unique to you and celebrate your styles and personalities. After all, that’s what this day is about! Think of some ways you can incorporate fun elements into the ceremony and reception and start with a good plan to ensure success … and reduce stress. Good luck and congratulations!
Short Weeks Long Weekends is a travel and food blog dedicated to people who work hard and travel harder! We love life and believe that living each day to the fullest is what it is all about. We’d love to hear from you!
1 comment
Spring and all! What a lovely set of places to dream about! Thank you for the upbeat and informative article! It can be daunting to plan a wedding, and having the big picture is a great place to start.
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