Wedding Ceremony Locations

When selecting a venue your wedding ceremony, there are many factors to consider. Whether you hold your wedding ceremony at a church, hall or outdoor location there are pros and cons to each.  Here are a few things to consider when selecting your ceremony location.

Church

Pros:

• A church is an obvious location for your wedding ceremony if you want a religious wedding.  The church will add a traditional, formal tone to your wedding ceremony.  Many churches offer a beautiful backdrop; making them budget friendly as you will need fewer decorations.
• Many families have a tradition of attendance at a particular church and will appreciate the continuation of a wedding ceremony at this venue.  Older family members often prefer church ceremonies.
• If your church offers a bridal suite, you can forego the cost of a location for getting ready for the ceremony.

Cons:

• Some churches may require church membership or additional classes prior to your wedding ceremony.
• If you are an interfaith couple, or one of you is not particularly religious, the decision to hold your wedding ceremony at a church can be difficult for your fiance or his family.
• Churches may have rules and regulations regarding decor.  They may also have restrictions regardingwedding photography and videography.  It is important to have an understanding of these restrictions in advance.
• Churches often have other events such as memorial services and mass that can affect the time of your ceremony.

Hall

Pros:

• Halls will typically have fewer rules and regulations regarding placement of wedding photographer and videographer.
• You have the choice of secular or religious ceremony.
• You and your guests may find one location more convenient.  It is also budget friendly as wedding day transportation is not needed.
• The hall may be willing to negotiate the rate for additional time if needed.

Cons:

• Some religious officiants will not conduct a wedding outside of the church.
• If the hall has multiple rooms, there may be additional events at the same time as your wedding ceremony.
• You may incur additional fees if you are extending your time at the hall to accommodate your wedding ceremony.
• You may need additional decor to stage the wedding ceremony area.

Outdoor

Pros:

• Outdoor ceremony locations are often less expensive than indoor.
• You can choose to have a secular or religious wedding ceremony.
• Wedding photographers and videographers have no restrictions.
• The natural backdrop allows you to keep decorations to a minimum.

Cons:

• It may be necessary to have an indoor backup plan if there is inclement weather.
• You will need a separate location to get ready.
• You may need to rent chairs for guest seating.
• Electrical service may not be available for your officiant or wedding ceremony music.

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Marriage Licenses and Name Changes

In order to legally get married in Michigan, you will need a marriage license from theclerk of court’s office.  You will need to apply for a marriage license in the county one of you lives, or if you are a non-resident from the county in which the wedding ceremony will take place.

Application Process.  You will need a picture ID and the social security numbers for the bride and groom.  The marriage license will include the full legal names of the bride and groom.  You will also need current address, city and date of birth.  When you apply for the marriage license, you will need to know the name the bride has decided to use after the ceremony.  Depending upon the county, you may also need a copy of your birth certificate.

Expiration of Certificate.  In Michigan, there is a 3 day waiting period from the date of application to the ceremony, unless the clerk waives the waiting period due to sufficient cause.  The marriage license is valid for 33 days and only valid in Michigan.

Making It Legal.  Following your wedding ceremony, your marriage license must be completed by a solemnizing authority or officiant.  They will complete the time and place of marriage, have the document signed by two witnesses and sign the license.  One copy should be given to the newlyweds, one mailed to the clerk and one kept by the officiant.  Your marriage license acts as your marriage certificate.

Changing Your Name.  If you will take your new husband’s last name or legally abbreviate your married name, there will be several documents that require a name change.  Here’s a breakdown of what to change and when.

Wait to Change.  

There is no doubt you will be excited to begin using your married name, but it is a good idea not to make the name change until you return from your honeymoon.  Make all honeymoon travel arrangements in your maiden name because it may take several weeks to change your drivers license, passport and credit cards.  Having two different names can make travel more difficult.

Before the wedding

1. Let your employer know to change your email and business cards.
2. Practice using your new name including the signature.  It will make it more fluent when you do make the change.

After the wedding

1. Most changes can not be completed until you receive the fully executed marriage license by mail.
2. Change your name on any bank accounts.  Once the change is complete, notify your payroll department of your new name so the deposit account information matches.
3. Request a new social security card by taking a copy of your marriage license to the social security office.  You can speed up the process if you download a form from the Social Security website.
4. Contact the US State Department to request the name change to your US Passport.
5. You will need your marriage certificate to change the name on your driver’s license.
6. Many utilities, credit card issuers and insurance companies can change your name by phone.  Others will require a copy of your marriage certificate and a personal letter requesting the change.  This will vary by company.
7. Spread the word by making the change to your twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media sites.
8. Make the change with your health insurance provider and doctor’s office.
9. If you have a will or medical proxy, review the document for necessary changes in beneficiary or advocate.

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Choosing Your Wedding Reception Venue

The venue you choose for your wedding reception is the stage for your dream wedding.  And so many of your later decisions will be based upon the wedding reception venue – the centerpieces, menu, invitations, and more.  For that reason, the date and venue are usually the first two decisions you will make.  So, how do you select the perfect wedding reception venue?  The following factors often help to decide where to hold your party of a lifetime.

The Guest List.  When considering a wedding reception venue, it’s a good idea to ask the guaranteed minimum and absolute maximum number of guests they can accommodate.  The minimum number is the amount of guests you will pay for, even if your wedding guest list is fewer than this number.  The minimum number may be negotiable if your wedding reception will be during non-peak dates.  When considering the maximum number, think about the layout of the venue.  Will guests be seated in overflow rooms, making it difficult to hear toasts or view dancing?

The Vibe.  When you conduct a site visit, be conscious of how you feel when at the location.  Does the venue have “the vibe” you are looking for – whether that be formal, hip, sophisticated or casual?  Does the staff have a welcoming, professional manner?  Can you picture your friends and family enjoying your wedding at this location?

The Decor.  When viewing a possible wedding reception site, consider the decor of the facility.  Has it been recently updated?  Is it scheduled for a major overhaul?  Does the decor suit the decorations you have in mind?  Does the venue supply any basic decorations such as mirrors or table linens?  Are there any architectural elements you can highlight?  Does it present good photo opportunities?  You will spend the most amount oftime on your wedding day at this facility.  Make sure the decor is something you enjoy.

Location.  Guests appreciate it when you take their needs into consideration too.  If you have a large number of out of town guests, a reception venue with or near hotel accommodation is a great convenience.  If your wedding ceremony location and reception are close to each other, your and your guests will have less travel time.

Ceremony Options.  If you are interested in combining your ceremony and reception venues, you can save time and moneyon your wedding day.  If there ceremony will take place outside, make sure you consider the indoor alternative in case of inclement weather.  Does the venue charge additional fees if you have to enter the facility early for these reasons?  Are there fees for chair rental and setup for the ceremony?

Practical Matters.  While this is your dream wedding, there are still real world matters to consider.  Make sure the venue has ample parking and conveniently located restrooms.  How many bartenders will service your guests?  Do they offer valet service?  Coat check?  Handicap accessible?  Does the wedding reception venue offer a bridal suite where you can freshen up or store items?  If you are getting married at the height of summer temperatures, ask to visit on a warm day so you can feel if the air conditioning is adequate.

The Entertainment.  Your wedding reception is the party to celebrate your wedding so consider the venue’s layout for the entertainment.  Is the dance floor in a good location and large enough to accommodate your guests?  Is there room for the DJ to be placed by the dance floor?  If you are considering an outdoor venue, are there ample electrical resources?

A Yummy Task.  Of all the items on yourplanning checklist, none are as delicious as sampling the reception menu.  You wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive, so don’t skip tasting the food for your reception.  Most reception venues regularly schedule tastings so that you can sample items you are considering for your wedding menu.  You can also discuss additional food and drink items, such as midnight snacks and signature drinks.

Fees and payment schedules.  Some reception venues provide the catering, table linens, china and more.  Some venues provide just the facility.  And others will allow you to bring in your own caterer – for a fee.  Whatever your choice, be certain that you understand the fees and they are written in your contract.  Additional fees to consider are gratuities for the maitre d’, wait staff, coat attendants, valets and bartenders.  Some contracts will include a line item for gratuities in the details.

You will likely pay a security deposit upon signing the contract for the reception venue.  Ask to include the payment schedule in your contract.  The terms should also define if, and under what circumstances your payments would be refundable.

Somewhere different.  Many couples are choosing to hold their reception at a non-traditional venue.  If you choose a non-traditional venue, you may incur additional costs to supply basic items like  tables, chairs, and table wears.  Additionally, the wait staff will likely be contracted for the event so you may want to work with both the venue and caterer to compare wait staff fees.  Some ideas for this option include:

• Art galleries
• Sports arenas
• Botanical gardens
• Zoos
• Historic homes
• Museums
• Planetariums
• Yachts
• Theaters
• Vineyards
• Restaurants
• Orchards
• Planetariums

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