State Park Venue?

Does it allow alcohol?

Yes alcohol is allowed, I need to have liability and hire security through the park at $10 per hour, but that won't amount to much.

What about it being a public park concerns you? Is there something specific you can point to? Otherwise I say go for it! We considered it and I have had friends do it and love it.

My venue is a Los Angeles county park but it has a historical building and it's used as a wedding venue very often. The only issue is that they only allow one specific bartending company. So definitely confirm that you are allowed to serve alcohol. If so, $650 for a lake front venue sounds awesome!

If you're allowed to have alcohol then I say go for it. That's a great deal. What concerns you?

My only concern is having other people, besides the guests of course, lurking around during the ceremony. I don't really like having all eyes on me . Also I'm just concerned about people being loud during the ceremony. I guess those aren't really huge issues though if it means keeping to my budget!

My wedding is going to be in a state park with both the ceremony and reception on a lake, also. It's an actual venue; it has a big banquet tent and an exclusive caterer of course with an alcohol permit. The venue is definitely not inexpensive. It's in an area where there probably won't be a lot of public people hanging out except for maybe boats on the lake and it's right by a boat launch.

I get that you are worried about it being a public park. You don't want any crashers. Does your ceremony/reception area have a shelter or venue like mine? Is it around a very public area in the park or is it more secluded?

I don't know how doable this is, but you could see if you're allowed to set up a sort of perimeter for your wedding. I'm thinking like a bunch of stakes of some kind (could be old sign posts, those outdoor tall tiki torches but classy ones, or something?) and string white tulle all around them. Sort of "caution tape" it off, and allow a 70-foot or so margin between the barrier and the actual ceremony setup. That way onlookers can't get too close, and it adds a little extra special feel.

My friends wedding was in a very public park and people just kinda respected what was happening. Some looked for a minute or two but then they moved on. It was nice

It does have an actual venue for reception, and I contacted the park and they told me that the securiyy deatil will help "steer" people away. The birder is still a nice idea, I could make it with a cute flower borded or ribbon.

I think it sounds great, but you really need to figure out your other costs before you commit....catering, alcohol, chairs, etc. I've done many of these and they are lovely, but there are costs that you might not be considering.

In my experience, most other visitors are pretty respectful of weddings; I'm talking sites like Central Park, etc.....

BUT you ned to figure in every cost, including parking, if that has a charge.

Adding onto Celia's comment, check and see if people will have to pay entrance to get into the park. We looked into a state park in our area, but ultimately decided against it due partially to the hassle of having to pay entrance fees for every guest. It would've meant we'd either have to give every single guest the $5 to pay to get in, or pay ahead and give them a guest list to check off each person--which could be a hassle if you end up with guest who bring unannounced plus ones or whatever...

You definitely don't want your guests to have to pay entrance fees themselves.

Our wedding is at Wildlife Prairie State Park in the Peoria, IL area. Ours is a public park but they have associates who will be redirecting people who aren't there for the wedding so they don't interrupt the ceremony since it's in the middle of the park. I'm sure if they have the option to have weddings in the public areas, they have people who will redirect people. Definitely ask if they have that available and if they don't, ask if they can

If I saw an area that was obviously set up for a wedding, I would steer clear, and I think that would probabaly hold true for most people.