One of the first decisions you will make after the engagement is when and where to have your wedding ceremony and reception. Choosing a wedding venue requires patience and many factors need to be considered. In the end, you and your partner will find the perfect scene for your big day if you follow a few tips and guidelines.
Indoor Wedding Ceremony
If you are wanting an indoor wedding ceremony, the first place many couples consider is a church. If you have a church that is important in your family or you as a couple, this is an easy decision. If the church wedding just isn’t your style, there are endless opportunities for indoor weddings and receptions. Plus, the seating is generally already laid out for you if you choose indoors. Sure, you may have to put up some decor, but you don’t have to worry about transporting a bunch of seating options.
You will, of course, have to consider the size of your wedding before you check places out. It would be a shame to fall in love with a venue only to realize that it will not hold all your guests. Indoor weddings can range from a swanky hotel to a quaint bed and breakfast. It all depends on your style as a couple.
Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
Outdoor wedding ceremonies are quite popular, especially in Florida’s warm weather year-round. You can get married in the park, your parent’s backyard, or on the beach. An outdoor wedding means that Mother Nature can decorate for you! Imagine getting married in a lush garden surrounded by butterflies. No decor needed from you, it is already all around you, although you may have to transport chairs and tables. If you live in a place with outstanding fall colors, then you are in luck too. There is just something magical about an outdoor wedding, but you need to make sure it is the right decision for you (and that you have a Plan B in case the bad weather decides to strike).
Whether it is your wedding ceremony, reception, or cocktail hour, you need to make sure it is convenient for your guests. If you must, have maps readily available for your guests. There is nothing more of a downer than your guests getting lost trying to find your reception! If you want to make it really easy on everyone, you can have everything at one venue but still have some separation. You can have your ceremony in the garden, your cocktail hour by the river, and your reception by the dance floor. Many venues nowadays are one-stop shops made specifically for wedding events. One of the best one-stop shop wedding venues in Central Florida is the Lake Mary Events Center.
Outdoor vs. Indoor Wedding Reception
Outdoor weddings are naturally beautiful, however they are considered to be more of a risk with the weather vs. having an indoor wedding reception. When you are planning your wedding a year or more in advance, there is no way of knowing what the weather will be like (cold, hot, rainy, humid). Many couples get lucky, while others wish they had their wedding reception indoors. Keep in mind that dancing while it is hot/humid or very cold out, is very uncomfortable. Guests leave early in these cases no matter how good the DJ is. An outdoor wedding in Florida is best during the cooler months from November to March when the rain/humidity subside. April to October can be hot and rainy without warning, but not always rainy.
Of course, an indoor wedding reception can happen any time of the year regardless of weather. However, many times indoor receptions need to be decorated or have lighting added to add character. Most wedding receptions are held indoors due to climate control, but most of all to relieve the stress of not knowing what will happen with the weather!
There are many choices to make when it comes to your wedding day, but it shouldn’t be a struggle. Make a list of venues, check them out, and then narrow them down until you have your final choice. In the end, it is all about you as a couple. Choose a place that you fall in love with, just as you did in choosing your partner.