Money

Fiance and I want church wedding, but are also intruiged by the Outdoor cheap wedding Idea. Any Information?

We both want a Church wedding, but we were also looking at low cost wedding ideas, and we heard of a couple getting married at at Lighthouse by us, and all that was asked was that they made a donation, but an amount was never specified.

This is obviously a really gripping idea in these financial times. I was also told that if we did an outdoor wedding that we could not get a Priest to do the wedding, which really is a kicker for her, because she wants that more than I do.

I was just wondering if people that did outdoor/indoor and whatnot could maybe post some good or bad things about these ideas, so that I could maybe make a pro con list to help us make the decision.

Thanks!

Posted On: Oct 26, 2009 at 9:59 PM | Vendors are allowed to participate

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angel.cmss

Wedding: 04/30/2011

12 Answers

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Debi B.

Cater It Simple

Posted On: Oct 26, 2009 at 10:46 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Be sure to weigh all the costs. A church comes with pews ... and outdoor wedding requires chairs to be rented, possibly a tent, plus delivery, set-up and tear down. . You're in NY ... are you getting married in NY? What is weather like in November in NY? will you need to rent heaters to put in the tent? Churches have furnaces. . Depending on the cost of the church, after you factor all of this in, it might not be as expensive as you think. . When my daughter got married, it cost us $800 for the church and that included the music and janitorial services. It can cost more than $800 just to rent a tent around here. . Definitely make a list of everything you will need and run the calculator.

Hudson Heights Duo

Posted On: Oct 27, 2009 at 9:14 AM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Debi B has lots of good points. An outdoor wedding can be much more expensive and complicated than you think and most churches do not charge if you are a member. One of the things that you absolutely MUST consider with an outdoor wedding is a Plan B for inclement weather. November CAN be beautiful in New York but it can also be awful. Be sure to include the cost of the alternate site in your calculations. Another thing to consider is that many musicians will not book out-door weddings after a certain date or will insist on the option to move indoors under adverse conditions. For some great ideas and a discussion of affordable weddings, please visit: http://hudsonvalleyharpest.webs.com/anaffordablewedding.htm Best wishes, Margaret and Bill Sneddon New York, NY www.HudsonHtsDuo.com

Alafia

Alafia Ceremonies LLC

Posted On: Oct 27, 2009 at 11:05 AM \| Flag As Inappropriate
I agree with the previous posts and would like to add one comment regarding a Priest. Please be careful a Catholic Priest can't perform a ceremony outside of the Catholic Church. There are many "priests" who have left the church and are still calling themselves priests and many online officiants calling themselves priests.

Terri

Belle Jardine Seating Charts

Posted On: Oct 27, 2009 at 10:32 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
After considering the above information, if you still want to marry outdoors, you may want to call several parish priests to make sure they will not marry you outside. I was also raised Catholic and it seems we once had a mass outdoors - although I don't remember the circumstances. (It may have been a hippie priest appealing to the younger crowd). And, like Margaret and Bill, I thought there was no charge for church members - just maybe a donation. Your wedding is still two years away, and hopefully the economy will be doing better by then.

Celia Milton

Celia Milton Celebrant

Posted On: Oct 28, 2009 at 2:05 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Most parish priests will not marry you outside of the church. And outdoors is rarely cheaper, especially in November in New York, when it is likely to be cold and possibly dark. As Debi mentioned, you probably will need seating, heating, and possibly a sound system for your officiant. The ceremony may not be the place for you to economize; your wedding is two full years away; if you think about 100 weeks, you're probably a latte or two away from being able to afford exactly what you both want for the ceremony.

MJ Decorations

Posted On: Oct 29, 2009 at 9:03 AM \| Flag As Inappropriate
November in New York? Go for the Church wedding. It makes for beautiful pictures, you won't have to talk the priest into it, and your older family members won't have to shiver in the cold. Plus, I've had so many brides this year adamant about getting married outside that have had to do a quickie Plan B because it is pouring, and they are ultimately disappointed with their ceremony location. It's up to you. If I was helping you, I would do everything I could to make it work, but sometimes less expensive is not better.

Rev. Bob

Free Church of Universal Life

Posted On: Oct 29, 2009 at 2:10 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
An out-of-doors function in November is always risky. And no matter where you decide to have the ceremony and reception, the costs of music, food, etc. will remain constant. If you wish a Catholic ceremony it most always includes Mass. It could be done out of the church, it's done all of the time at summer camps, resorts, and in the military. This should not be a problem. I wish you well. Rev. Bob

vallynn1983

Happy Tears Weddings

Posted On: Oct 30, 2009 at 3:54 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
If you want to marry in the church, then have the ceremony in the church and the reception outdoors. But, contrary to popular belief, outside is not cheaper! An indoor venue already has lighting, tables, chairs, heat, bathrooms, shelter, and electricity (Most of the time, anyway). If you are having candles, they need shield from the wind. These are just a few things to consider.

Reyna (Renee')

Reyna's

Posted On: Nov 01, 2009 at 8:58 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
You have choosen a very costly date, New Years eve... maybe you can have a church service then ask all of your guest to meet you a a venue where you usually go for new years eve. Or see if any venue having a new years eve party can reserve a spot for our group. Congrats and good luck.

Perfect Moments

Perfect Moments Event & Wedding Planning

Posted On: Nov 04, 2009 at 8:10 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Everything everyone above has said is going to be really helpful for you in making your decision. The only thing that I have to add is that depending on what religion you're looking for, many officiants won't do weddings outside of their church. Most Catholic priests won't, and some other Christian priests. Just be careful with that, because you might put yourself between a rock and a hard place if you sign a contract with a venue and no officiant.

clgreen

Mary Kay Professional Beauty Consultant

Posted On: Nov 11, 2009 at 8:50 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
I agree run the calculator but also remember if you plan an outdoor wedding to have a back up plan for indoors in case of bad weather.

Rev. Carleen

"With This Ring" Wedding Ceremonies

Posted On: Nov 16, 2009 at 8:07 PM \| Flag As Inappropriate
Not sure why the prior posters think you are getting married in November. In April, it could be nice, but since you said lighthouse, I know its by the shore, so there are winds and usually the wave noises to contend with at that time of year.

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