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Melissa
Savvy September 2011

where to get married if not using a church

Melissa, on March 5, 2011 at 8:32 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 19

I've always wanted to have the ceremony at the reception hall. They usually offer a seperate room and then during the cocktail hour the guest move on into the next room where the reception is held, while we run off and take pictures. However, the hall we booked DOES NOT have a seperate room but I loved the place and the price was good. WHERE ELSE can we get married if we don't want to use a church??

19 Comments

Latest activity by Brittany, on August 26, 2018 at 11:41 PM
  • margie
    Dedicated June 2011
    margie ·
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    Well iam getting married on a lake with a cute gazebo not to much it was a good price

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  • 2d Bride
    Champion October 2009
    2d Bride ·
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    Outdoors, maybe at a local park? (They often have shelters you could use in case of rain.) At the courthouse? At a museum? At a theater? Or even rent a church. The Unitarian Universalist churches are typically willing to let their churches be used even for a completely secular ceremony.

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  • Mrs. Kline (Sass)
    Master December 2010
    Mrs. Kline (Sass) ·
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    A park, botanical garden, cave, planitarium, back yard, beach, etc. The list is basically endless.

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  • Jamie
    VIP December 2011
    Jamie ·
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    We are getting married at a country club, great all inclusive prices

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  • Lise Ramos
    Lise Ramos ·
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    I love a garden, a park by a water fall or body of water. You should call the Dept of Parks in your town and see where is nearby the reception hall. Very often they could recommend a great spot and with the beauty of nature around you, you don't need any decor - just some paper fans for your guests in case it's too hot.

    Another alternative is the beach, but that is tricky with permits needed, but not impossible. Here you have to be careful about the surrounding noise - you want your guests to hear you, so you should have a mic set up.

    You may contact a wedding planner (ask the reception hall if they could recommend one) who can do research on that for you and help with any phone calls and necessary paperwork - should not be costly at all for this service. They have info on public spaces, such as solariums, greenhouses, and other "hideaways" that you may not have thought of.

    Do have a "plan" B (or lots of umbrellas) in case it rains!!

    Good luck!!

    Lise'

    partyplanningbyjaz.info


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  • Mrs. Clark aka Mrs Awesomepants
    Master November 2011
    Mrs. Clark aka Mrs Awesomepants ·
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    Were getting married at an aquarium. everythings included for both the ceremony/reception but they also do one or the other.

    Try thinking of someplace fun and thats "you" and go negotiate!

    Where are you from? we looked at alot and maybe can help if youre in our area! (tampa bay area)

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  • Victoria
    Dedicated May 2011
    Victoria ·
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    Were getting married outside at the park near the river and also having the reception right there, so no renting of 2 areas. Also using the area were we are sittting get married also to eat..So it will double for both.

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  • Robin1226
    Dedicated October 2011
    Robin1226 ·
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    I'm getting married at a golf course/country club..outside. Very beautiful!



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  • Nancy Taussig
    Nancy Taussig ·
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    Melissa, does your venue have a lobby or bar area? If so, you can have the ceremony in the main room, have cocktail hour in the bar/lobby while main room gets set for dinner, then move everyone back into the main room.

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  • Carole M (a.k.a "old tart")
    Master October 2011
    Carole M (a.k.a "old tart") ·
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    Whie it is certainly better to have a separate room, sometimes that just can't happen. If you would like to stay where you are it won't be that bad.

    We are getting married and having the reception in the same room. The chairs will be faced in the direction of the fireplace, and no food or drink will be served during the ceremony.

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  • Kathy
    Master July 2010
    Kathy ·
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    I would go with Nancy's suggestion. You should be able to do both at your venue.

    I'm not a fan of outdoor events, in fact I never attend them. i am highly allergic to bees, so, the outdoor events get a thumbs down from me. LOL!!!

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  • S
    Just Said Yes June 2011
    sara ·
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    I'm getting married in a casino in their ballroom. its a really good price

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  • Shannon C
    Master May 2011
    Shannon C ·
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    I'm getting married in a little garden in behind a historical house. We can use the house to get ready, go out back for the ceremony, then go next door for the reception, so only have to drive to one location.

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  • Melissa
    Savvy September 2011
    Melissa ·
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    Nancy yes it does have a small bar lounge downstairs and i was thinking about having it there and then everyone shifting upstairs after. I think thats a great idea.

    There is also a beach near the venue and that was also a thought however then we have to rent chairs and all this extra stuff to decorate that area as well and my fiancee doesnt want to add more expense to our already small budget. So, the bar lounge is probably the best idea.

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  • Nicci
    Master July 2010
    Nicci ·
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    We got married in a garden in the middle of a historical train depot in my husband's hometown. It turned out to be free and was spectacular and absolutely gorgeous. No decorations really required.

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  • Hayley C™
    Master March 2008
    Hayley C™ ·
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    We had our ceremony in the same room as our reception.... these are not pictures from my room, but examples of how it can be done... notice how in the one picture the chairs are all turned to face the front.




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  • Maggie Winters
    Maggie Winters ·
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    I photographed a great wedding last weekend at a really fancy, gorgeous bed and breakfast! The wedding and mini-reception were in the turret of this beautiful castle-like building. It was great because the owners were there for the ceremony and there was no corporate feel.

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  • L
    Just Said Yes November 2018
    Lisa ·
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    How much was it
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  • Brittany
    Devoted October 2018
    Brittany ·
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    Pft anywhere honestly. I've been to weddings in parks, reception halls, even restaurants.
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