As it happens, I have the information the local zoo sent us handy. They have three locations within the zoo and three options – 2 buffet dinners and one sit down dinner ranging from $50 USD to $85 USD per person, which is comparable to some other places we looked at.
They contacted me, probably because I either went to a bridal show back in December or because I signed up for information at either www.theknot.com or www.weddingsolutions.com. Of the two websites, The Knot is better and includes a free wedding website.
Of the places we looked at for a reception, my favorite was the B & B, but we went with something a bit cheaper, more convenient, and more conventional. We’re holding at the conference center of a nearby hotel which means that after the reception, our guests can just wander back to their rooms instead of trying to find their way back to their hotels through unfamiliar streets.
You stated “inexpensive” but what price range are you talking about?
My wife and I got married aboard The American Rover, a two masted sailing ship that does charters in our local area. It’s fairly reasonable, according to this menu, you can rent the boat from $500 per hour. I think that all told, the cost of renting the boat, the food, and the DJ cost us around $2000. The good part is that the boat acts as the reception location as well, and when your time is up, everyone has to leave so you can get on with your wedding night.
For invitations, we bought some nice paper and wrote up a little pirate-sounding invite, put them in in-expensive glass bottles we picked up at an outlet store, and mailed them to everyone. So the invitation was a message in a bottle. It was a lot of fun, very memorable for everyone, and really didn’t cost that much as far as weddings go.
Lots of good stuff here. Thanks! Another question: When you rent a venue for a wedding, is the person who officiates (priest, justice of the peace, etc.) included? I imagine it varies by state, but how do you find these people?
I’m pretty sure it’s a “bring your own” sort of thing, although I’m sure a place that rents out frequently might be able to make some recommendations. I was lucky - we had our pick. My Baptist step-father, Catholic great-uncle, or UU friend who introduced us? We ended up choosing a veterinarian I worked with, who was ordained by the Order of Melchizedek, primarily for the purpose of reiki. She was great.
Hub and I were married at home by the County Clerk. We had the reception at home as well with about 35 people. It was a second marriage for both of us and we had been living together for 2 years before the wedding day so it was perfectly low key.
The reception facilities that I’m familiar with have a list of ministers, caterers, etc. that they’ve done business with in the past. I don’t think you’ll have a problem with that.
Definately do what YOU and your SO would be interested in - something you will remember and cherish (most certainly agree with the no-courthouse theme)
I went to a wedding at a local historical house. They had a 3 piece jazz band and really good finger food. Short, sweet and no sit down dinner or drawn out event. Really classy.
I could see a wedding at the Grand Canyon Skywalk.
You could rent a couple of planes for an hour and have the minister radio the service while flying in formation. A local TV station could track you in a trailing plane while the “I do’s” are made by rocking the wings.
Huh…you know I honestly don’t remember one being in the middle. That’s where they set up for the dancing, so you’d think I’d have noticed it. Especially because I actually visited the website before I posted it…sigh. I’m getting old.
Everywhere that we looked at came sans officiant, but we have a friend that is a minister of some online church, and she married us. It was great fun. I wrote the ceremony and planned the entire wedding in about two or three weeks. We had about 40 guests in an historic house. The whole thing cost about 5K, but it was in the winter. It would most likely have been more than.
In Massachusetts, anyone can marry you. All the needs to happen is that they fill out a One Day Officiant License and send the state 25 dollars (I think). They can then marry you anywhere in Massachusetts.
Forgive me for bumping this thread, but I knew this question hadn’t been answered, and I’ve found some more relevant information.
The celebrant isn’t usually included with the wedding site unless you’re getting married in a church, synagogue, etc. However, I was at a bride show yesterday and there was at least one person there who could be hired to perform weddings and ads for other ones. The guidebook they gave everyone had all sorts of useful information. Bride shows aren’t my sort of thing, but the information I gathered was worth it. The website for the outfit behind the one I went to is www.brideshow.com.
Vegas, baby! If you’re not a traditional person, this is the way to go. You can to go any casino or wedding chapel and have a tastful wedding… it doesn’t have to be an Elvis theme.
I absolutely hated my wedding, it was the typical expensive hotel reception and traditional wedding gown. I’ve never felt so uncomfortable. Well, next time, I’m wearing a hot little sexy mini dress and it’ll be in a Vegas or tropical island setting.
Find a locale with beautiful gardens in bloom (and maybe historic homes or some such) around the date slotted for the nuptials. Myself, I would be looking for something a little off the beaten path, tourist wise. Something a little sleepy and back waterish. I love the B & B idea, book rooms for all of you, (be sure to let them know the occasion), make a couple of reservations in the nicest restaurant in town. Order a cake from the local bakery/ provider, book a justice of the peace/officiant to the B & B, being prepared to work with what you can get, of course! A mere few phone calls and you’re done!
Blow into town, spend the day buying up whatever flowers are to be had, bring your own bubbly, and camera, (I might bring some old movies to watch as evening entertainment might be scant!) and have a wonderful weekend with your guests, clamouring about the small town and gardens and having an enchanting time.
