Las Vegas wedding venues have the reputation of being flashy, tacky, impersonal, and a haven for those who need a quickie wedding. So does that mean the 100,000+ people a year that choose to say ‘I do’ in Vegas are flashy, tacky, and in a hurry? No; at least not everyone, anyway. But we’ll talk about that later.

Whether it’s an elegant affair at Caesar’s Palace or something more out of the ordinary, Vegas’ 360+ wedding venues have something to fit everyone’s taste and budget.

If you’re a traditionalist, you probably wonder what kind of people would do that. Couples who select Vegas for their wedding destination are couples who are:

• Saying ‘I do’ for the first time.
• Celebrating a milestone anniversary by renewing their vows.
• Wanting something small and personal, yet memorable.
• Needing to escape the drama back home.
• Getting married for the 2nd (or more) time.

Photo by Lola’s Big Adventure!.

Most venues offer packages in a range of prices. They can be as basic as providing the officiate and witness, or include everything from flowers, music, seating, food, decorations, photography, and entertainment. Just as long as you show up with the $60 license (FYI, you both have to be present to obtain one but there is no waiting period, and they only take cash payments), have proof you are over the age of 18 (unless your parent is with you or you have a notarized document granting permission), aren’t already married, and aren’t wanting to marry your cousin, you can walk into the wedding chapel single and come out a few minutes later as husband and wife.

So where can you do the deed? Here are a few ideas:

Caesar’s Palace offers packages for weddings as small as 10 up to those that will seat close to 200 guests.

Mandalay Bay’s wedding chapel sits beside a huge pool, and has 12 different packages to accommodate 50 to 100 guests. Besides the traditional wedding, Mandalay Bay gives you the opportunity to exchange your vows at their shark reef or island cabana.

Want to think way outside the box? Maverick Helicopters will take the bride and groom and up to three guests for a ride overlooking the city where they can say ‘I do’. NOTE: There is a weight limit, so leave your chubby friends at home.

More unusual ideas to include as part of your Vegas wedding venue package are a gondola, Grecian garden, beautiful garden gazebos, and even atop a replica of the Eiffel Tower. But by far, the most unusual is a wedding on the Treasure Island pirate ship. Yep, it comes complete with pirates who swing down from the crow’s nest of the ship to deliver the rings! You’ve gotta’ admit that would make for some lively storytelling in a few years.

Last but not least, is the Graceland Wedding Chapel. For over 50 years, the GWC has provided happy wedding memories for countless couples wanting to make Elvis a part of their big day. Hey, how many of you can say Elvis walked you down the aisle and sang at your wedding?

These venues are more memorable and more fun, need less decorating, and are often less expensive than traditional wedding venues. Here are the best ideas!

Get sophisticated and choose a venue such as museum, winery, theatre, mansion (think Wrigley or Hearst) or art gallery.

Get fun and choose a venue such as the zoo, aviary, or a riverboat cruise.

Get adventurous and choose an exotic island where you can have your wedding and your honeymoon all in the same place. Or, try a European Ice Bar (think Absolut in London). There are even ice hotels (think Norway).

Get wild and choose a beach or a national park such as Yellowstone. It makes sense to get married in front of “Old Faithful”, doesn’t it?

Get silly and get married on an amphibious Ducky Tour, “Quack! Quack!” Your guests will love exploring your city. Silly would also include getting married at the local McDonald’s or elementary school. But, if that’s where you met…..silly yields romance!

Get romantic! Get married where you and your love met. The local pub, a friend’s back yard, the local community pool, the campus of your alma mater, a baseball park or other sports arena, the local Starbucks, or even scuba diving.

Get historic or, even, prehistoric. Get married at a historic venue (think Liberty Bell) or with the dinosaurs at your local museum of natural history (think Carnegie).

Go crazy! Crazy and unusual would surely include getting married while skydiving, in a plane, climbing Mt. Everest, or while in a space rocket (it will happen). Zero Gravity Corporation offers weddings in zero gravity with handsome navy blue jumpsuits for guests.

Of course, there is always Las Vegas (think Elvis). Pick unusual wedding venues that reflect your joys and your relationship and you will have a memorable day enjoyed by all. Good luck and have fun!

Heat

Many brides may be wearing heavy dresses and veils, along with heavier makeup for photos. No one wants a fainting bride, or one with makeup melting down her face onto the dress. Brides and grooms may consider lighter attire for outdoor weddings in the summer months, along with waterproof makeup. Umbrellas can be bought online or rented, and can provide a nice photographic visual as well as relief from the sun for guests.

Rain

While considered a token of good luck on one’s wedding day, rain is still a nuisance with which to contend. Be sure to monitor the forecast for a few days ahead of time, and have plans to bring in a tent, and be sure it has flooring if the rain has already begun. You and your guests will appreciate not sloshing around in the mud in your fine shoes.

Tent rentals could be your most expensive contingency item, but the most important. Rental companies will usually require a deposit of 30 to 50 percent, and then if the tent is canceled too close to the event the full amount could still be owed. Be sure to research the company’s cancellation policy. It might be worth it to still have the tent set up, even if you do not plan to actually have the ceremony beneath it. It could provide a nice congregating space for guests.

Photo by positionmktg.

Cold

Space heater rentals are available in most cities, and your guests will thank you for providing them if it’s chilly outside. Be sure to opt for an outdoor propane patio heater with a safety switch.

Wind

Tablecloth clips can be found online for $5 to $15 a set, which will help keep your table linens in place in case of windy conditions.

Gawkers

Yes, it’s human nature to admire weddings, and outdoor venues such as public parks and beaches sometimes provide the ultimate opportunity for gawkers. If you would like to keep the unwanted guests to a minimum, consider posting a polite sign indicating “private ceremony”. While you can’t keep everyone away this will provide a nice hint.

With a little contingency planning and thinking ahead, outdoor wedding venues can provide you and your guests with an opportunity to connect with nature and witness your nuptials.

Nature

Choose nature as your wedding venue by getting married and partying at one of the many cheap outdoor wedding venues. Assuming good weather is fairly guaranteed in your part of the world at the time of year you are considering this can be a good dollar saving option. There are likely to be beautiful views and great places for your young guests to play.

Parks will often let you hold a wedding for a small fee. Try and find one with a patio area for the ceremony and with nice features such as a fountain for the photographs.

Photo by photographix.ca.

Mountain tops will provide breathtaking scenery and fresh air for your big day. The only trouble will be trying to find the landowner to ask for their permission.

Forests can be very tranquil and picturesque so the perfect place for a wedding.

Vineyards can offer rolling hills for classic photos and may also have large enough buildings to host your party into the night.

Beaches can be one of the most scenic and memorable places for a wedding. But not only do you have the views, you have the sounds and smells of the ocean to make a truly unique day.

Check out your local outdoor venues to see if they are available for hire and how much they will cost. These charges are usually low but do not forget you will need to factor in the costs of furniture hire, caterers and other suppliers.

Theaters

A theater would certainly be an unusual venue to hold your wedding or reception. There is something statuesque about them that would give a certain aura to the event. You will need to check with your local arts centers to see which offer such services but many have off seasons when they are under-used. Imagine having your reception in a grand theatre lobby or even on stage.

Photo by Tracy Hunter.

Museums and galleries

Museums and galleries are often in elegant buildings and have many facilities. Some have areas that they rent out for special events so it would be worth checking with any in your area.

Your college

Some colleges are very picturesque and many have charming chapels where you could wed. Special offers are usually available to alumni although standard prices are still typically in the affordable range.  Move on from the chapel to a house on campus where you could hold the reception. In a similar vein, you could check out schools (private ones are usually in nice old buildings) or summer camps in their off seasons, which will probably have wonderful scenery.

Restaurants

Think of the favourite places you like to eat and next time you are there ask them how much they would charge to rent the whole place for the night. If the restaurant has a nice back garden, perhaps you could use that for the ceremony or set it up as dance floor for the evening.

Homes of friends or family

Why not beg or borrow a wedding venue? Do your parents have a large garden? Would your friends parents let you borrow their holiday home? Large gardens or homes make ideal locations for a wedding and reception. They are personal and unique but make sure you respect their goodwill and leave it as you found it.

Photo by Jayray24.

Church halls

These types of buildings may be quite basic but generally have a few services such as a small kitchen, washrooms and tables and chairs. If you can rope a few family members and friends into helping, you could transform this sort of venue the day before the wedding with inexpensive decorations and make it look fantastic.

Community or social clubs

There are probably many clubs in your area that you do not even know exist unless you are a member. These could be community clubs, social clubs, sports clubs and working men’s clubs. You will be amazed at the facilities they have and the low prices that they charge to hire them. You may need to join the club to be able to hire them but this cost will be very low. Some clubs are in horrible locations but some can be in stunning buildings with lovely grounds. Prepare yourself for some thorough research and it could pay off enormously.

Unusual places

Couples are marrying at more and more unusual wedding venues these days. You do not need to be as creative as considering the top of your local roller coaster or diving in your nearby ocean, but have you seen any quaint old mills or breweries in your area that are not dilapidated? These places will not be set up for weddings so you will probably get them cheaply but you will need to bring in and pay for the usual wedding supplies. Or how about the amusement park but not at the top of the roller coaster? They have large locations that have off seasons and would certainly make for a memorable day if you got to use some of their facilities during the reception.

Once you shrug off your blinkers and look beyond the traditional wedding venues you can find yourself getting more and more creative. Don’t overlook somewhere potentially fantastic just because you’ve never heard of a wedding there before – go in and ask, you may be surprised at your good luck. Just because you opt for cheap wedding venues does not mean your day will be any less than perfect. The perfect location is where you will be happiest making your special day memorable.

Time of day and year issues

The magic of candles is going to be missed unless it is late afternoon or evening and dark outside. As such a summer candlelit wedding ceremony is not going to work. You need to be looking towards late autumn and the winter months when it gets dark early enough to allow time for the wedding and reception. Before you confirm the time of day with your wedding venues, you need to find out when the sun sets in your area during the month you are thinking of. You can start your ceremony 20 minutes or so before sunset as indoors will be dark enough and the shadows cast by the setting sun creates additional ambiance.

There are a few problems associated with winter weddings but also some positives. Firstly if you have guests travelling from far and wide, you must consider the likely weather conditions they will encounter. You should also try and ensure your wedding is at a weekend to avoid the need for time off work or school for your invitees. On the upside, being out of the main wedding season, more wedding venues are likely to be available and their prices will be considerably cheaper.

There are also issues with a wedding late in the day. If you pick an October date with a sunset of around 6.30pm say, by the time you get to the meal at the wedding reception it will be very late. Make sure guests are prepared for this by making it clear on the wedding invitations. That way they can get something to eat before the ceremony.  You can also provide light refreshments and cocktails perhaps before the ceremony and during the photo session. When booking your wedding venue for an evening reception, ensure they are happy with a late finish and will not be closing the bar or stopping the music at midnight.

Candlelight wedding venue issues

Candle safety

Due to their obvious fire risk, candles may not be allowed in all venues. So check early on – before paying your deposit if you have set your heart on a candlelit wedding. Even if a venue does allow candles, they may have a limit to the number allowed, so check and double check. All is not lost however, if you do find the perfect venue that does not permit candles. Flameless candles make a perfect alternative. They are very realistic with flickering LED bulbs and even wax drip and melted edge decorations.  These can be bought in sets of 3 for about $10.

Candle placement

You may have a vision in your mind of the flickering candle flames around you during your wedding but in the planning stage you need to be practical. Where exactly are the candles going to be placed?  Consider window sills, shelves, tables as well as floor standing candle holders. In a church you may have access to candle holders that screw into the end of the pews. At the evening reception, things are going to be easier as you will have lots of tables to adorn with candle arrangements. Just make sure you have safety considerations  at the forefront of your mind so watch out for loose fabrics and drafty areas.

Make sure you plan for enough light around the two of you at the altar. Choose large candles on stands around this area so your guests can see you. Other candles decorating the rest of the church should be arranged so that they do not block anyone’s view.

Types of candle

Candles come in a huge range of shapes, sizes and colors so you are bound to be able to find something to tie in with the rest of your theme. However, with so many to worry about, you need to think about which types would be best for each location and what will hold them. Elegant taper candles will need holders or candelabras, chunky pillars can stand alone but you do not want their melting wax to damage anything, container candles avoid this problem but are more expensive and pretty tea lights are perfect for tables. Just make sure you buy the unscented variety given how many you will be lighting and that they last for at least 10 hours.

Mock up

If at all possible, ask your wedding venue(s) if you can do a mock up of the candle arrangements at some point before the wedding to check on the light they give out. Go at the same time of day as the ceremony/reception and work out exactly how many you need and where they are going to be placed  so you are happy with them. Make a sketch of the result and ensure the person responsible for arranging the candles on the day is with you.

Extra lighting

Do not restrict yourself to just candles. You can enhance the candles with atmosphere lighting in yellow and amber tones. Think of the key areas for the ceremony as your stage and plan them accordingly with enough lighting to do the service justice. For example, invest in some strings of white Christmas lights and hang them floor to ceiling around windows or other areas of your venue. Additional dim lighting may be preferable in a gloomy church and it can pay to have extra lighting around a buffet at your reception. Also make sure you have access to more immediate and bright lighting if the need calls for it on the day.

Lighting the candles

The process of lighting the number of candles you are going to need is not a quick job. A member or two of the wedding party will need to be assigned this task. Generally all the guests should be seated before the candles are lit. The lighters can then do their thing before the bride’s entrance. Test how long it is going to take during the rehearsal.

Photo by shimelle.

Rehearsal

Hold the rehearsal at the same time of day as your planned wedding so you can check out what works and what doesn’t. You can always make minor tweaks at this stage.  It is also worth considering a few extra rehearsals to go over all the extra work created by the candles.

Indoors or outdoors

Although candlelit weddings are usually indoors, you could also use candles outdoors. If this is your plan, you will need to be prepared for the weather by using hurricane candles, candle lanterns or flameless candles.

Cost of candles

Candles can be a fairly inexpensive decoration but bear in mind the number you will need to pull this off. At $2-4 each for pillar candles or $15 for 72 votive candles, the costs can soon mount up. And what if you want a candlelight wedding chapel and evening reception? It is not likely to be practical to move hundreds of candles from one location to another so you will need two sets. Even so, they may still work out cheaper than other more flamboyant wedding decorations and will certainly be breathtaking.  How many you will need will depend on the size of your venue and it is hard to guess at until you set it up. This is why the mock up is so important.

Candlelight wedding photography

Candlelit wedding photographs can give off a real warmth and definitely make for a wedding album with a difference. However, low lighting does not provide ideal photographic conditions to say the least so it will give your photographer somewhat of a challenge.

When interviewing prospective photographers you will need to make it clear that you are planning a candle light wedding service and reception. That way they can make the necessary adjustments to the equipment that they bring. A good photographer should not be overly perturbed by this type of wedding but you may want to try and find one that has experience of similar weddings and ask to see a sample of the photographs that they took, so you know what you are getting yourselves into.

Do not expect a bargain on your photography as the equipment needed to produce good results in low light conditions costs a pretty penny.

Typical issues that you will come across with candlelight wedding photographs are:

• Go overboard with the number of candles that you plan on using as the more light there is the better.
• Spread the candles out more or less evenly to reduce the effect of shadows.
• Try to arrange your candles so that their light is not always below the subjects of the photographs as this tends to give them a scary campfire look.
• You will need to stay very still during shots and for a good few seconds after the shutter clicks to allow for a long shutter time. You must remember this during the ceremony.
• Group shots will be tricky; you are more likely to end up with close up head and shoulder shots of the main subjects.
• Buy enough extra candles so that everyone you want in a group photograph can hold one.
• Make sure you put safety first, especially when guests are holding candles near clothes and children.
• Consider including a number of black and white photographs in the mix to get away from an overly yellow theme.
• Shots are best if kept simple and uncluttered. Keep backdrops plain and do not plan on having photographs with many props. You don’t need to worry about missing out on outdoor scenic shots as the candlelight will say it all!
• Do not include candles in every shot. For those that do include candles, keep them in a background position so that they do not compete with you as the focal point. Plan for which nice looking candles you want to feature in these photographs.
• In some cases additional light may be needed – this could be a lamp or dim light. If they are required, try to mimic the warm glow of the candle by carefully covering them with some orange or red material.

Overview

Candlelight weddings will be a unique and magical experience but they do require even more planning than that of a normal wedding. Hopefully the issues highlighted here will make sure you do not overlook anything and result in a fantastic day. Please let me know how you get on and any other issues you encounter.

The weather on the Sunshine Coast is pleasant throughout the year, so you don’t have to worry about you or your guests sweltering in the summer heat or freezing in the snow. The coastline boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Of course, it goes without saying that the Sunshine Coast is THE place for a beach wedding, although you can get married in a chapel or a hotel but really what’s the point? That is something you can do in your home country as well.

The Sunshine Coast promises great surf so think about mixing your honeymoon with your wedding and you have the perfect place. Another great plus is the fact that your guests can have a vacation too and it will be one they will always thank you for. There are several quaint little seaside towns that you can visit such as Noosa and the Mooloolaba.

Photo by ztsphotography.

Coping with a foreign language is not a problem in Australia and you are sure to meet like minded travelers as well so your wedding can be one giant beach party! A fun way to make your wedding even more memorable is by having a complete beach theme. Ask people to come in beachwear and you can play tons of games such as beach volleyball. The whole environment can be really relaxed as compared to the uptight formal atmosphere of traditional weddings.

Once on the Sunshine Coast, don’t forget to visit Steve Irwin’s crocodile zoo – this might not be something that appears top of you wedding planning list but what the heck! With this little guide, you are sure to have your happily ever after at one of the superb Sunshine Coast wedding venues.

Beach
The seaside provides a ready and delightful answer to your search for a last minute wedding venue. What’s more, a beach wedding gives you the flexibility to choose either a funky and relaxing theme or one that is chic and sophisticated.

Photo by Easywebsites.ky.

Friends and Relatives
Do you know anyone with a beautiful garden that could provide the perfect setting for your last minute wedding? One additional benefit of this option would be significant savings on costs.

Restaurants
Your favorite restaurant may provide the answer to your urgent search for a perfect wedding venue. You have a better chance of booking a private room or even the entire place if you can hold the wedding reception during non-peak hours.

Parks
Don’t just take a walk in the park – exchange your wedding vows there. The abundance of nature easily provides a splendid setting for your wedding. And you don’t have to worry about the park being booked up. Contact your local authorities to seek permission to hold your wedding there.

In addition to the above suggestions, you can also try doing some online research for available last minute wedding venues. Don’t assume that all the prime spots have already been snapped up. Popular wedding locations may have available slots due to cancellations or simply un-booked dates.

If you need some help, there are wedding suppliers which cater specifically for last minute weddings. You can easily find them through an online search. So fret not. You have more resources than you think you have to make a successful search for last minute wedding venues.

• Find out what items are included in the price, and how much each one costs. You may find items being included that you don’t really need. Request to trim away the frills so that you can get a price that is within your budget.
• Research, research, research. Find out as much as you can about how much the competitors are charging for similar products and services. This will enable you to bargain with the supplier confidently and assess their claims more critically.
• Have a clear idea of your budget and what you want. Bear this in mind throughout the process of negotiation so that you do not end up busting your budget or getting shortchanged.



• Are you speaking to the right person who has the authority to make decisions on slashing costs? If the person you are speaking to appears unwilling to budge, ask to speak to more senior staff.
• Try not to accept the first price quote that you are given. Suppliers will usually shift their prices a few times. Ask for further discounts and give examples of competitors who offer cheaper prices for similar services.
• Negotiation doesn’t mean you should adopt an antagonistic stance against the supplier. Quite the opposite. Work on some relationship building at the onset. Creating an amicable atmosphere is more conducive for coaxing them to accede to your requests.
• If the supplier refuses to budge no matter what, ask if they could throw in some freebies, such as additional decorations or drinks on arrival. This will help you trim costs elsewhere and keep within your overall wedding budget.

With some skill and patience, negotiating with wedding venues should help you get the dream location for your big day.

Photo by Tony Crider.

However, wedding marquees can be quite large, and as such it is hard to set it up just anywhere. If you’re looking for a unique venue to put up your marquee and hold your wedding ceremony, here are a few suggestions.

Local parks are often available to rent for a few hours, and are very rarely too expensive. You can hire a wedding marquee and have the company pitch it right on the park property. Additionally, if you’re afraid that the weather may take a turn for the worse, or if you’re already planning the wedding during a cold, rainy, or windy time of year, make sure you speak with the company about providing whatever comforts will be necessary (a heater, a fan, etc.).

Small beaches are a perfect environment for a marquee, because the soft sand will allow the tent to stay secure but will not require a lot of work to hammer the marquee’s posts into the ground. Beaches are also often free to the public — though you’ll still want to contact whoever is in charge of taking care of the beach to let them know ahead of time that you’ll be taking up the space.

Open fields make great marquee wedding venues as well. If you have your wedding during a dry time of year, the field can make great free and easy parking for all your guests, and afterwards, you can have a picnic-style reception out in the grass and over fire pits.

Photo by _sarchi.

Considerations for Marquee Weddings

During the decision process of choosing a venue for your wedding, you will need to consider whether the individual location is specifically appropriate for marquee weddings. There are several things that need to be taken into account to ensure that you find the correct venue.

Size of marquee – After thinking about the size that the marquee will need to be in order to accommodate your guests and all the equipment necessary, you must ensure that the venue is large enough for a marquee to fit within it. You are likely to find that there are many locations that are large enough to fit a marquee, but some may not be willing to do so. Determine whether specific permission will be required to allow you to erect a marquee.

Marquee style & color – Consider the style and color of the marquee to ensure that it fits in with the theme and look of your wedding. In the event that you want an unusual look to your wedding, you can achieve this with the style of the marquee.

Marquee position – Whatever venue you choose for your wedding, you must determine the best location within the grounds for the marquee to be placed. Take into account weather patterns and the movement of the sun to enable you to predict the heating and cooling that will be necessary. The distance of utilities from the marquee will also need to be considered from a convenience point of view.

Finally to ensure your marquee wedding goes smoothly, make yourself aware of how long the marquee will take to erect and how many people are necessary to do the work. And do not forget all the sundry costs that will come with hiring a marquee, such as insurance.

Scotland is known for its breathtaking landscapes, so it’s no surprise that one of the most amazing garden wedding locations is found in this country. Blairquhan Castle in Maybole offers a castle setting with celebrated gardens outside. While the ceremony itself cannot take place in the garden without a marquee, Blairquhan Castle offers a huge range of activities in their outdoor areas and the gardens will delight you and your guests.

Italy, too, has amazing landscapes, but they are better known for their vineyards. However, the amazing area of Umbria is filled with brilliant flowers, and the La Preghiera historic house is no exception. This venue offers the use of its private chapel, which was once a Roman temple, or its landscaped gardens for your wedding ceremony. This location has the bonus of being steeped in history, allowing your guests to explore on their own while they wait for the ceremony.

Wedding Photography by Jon Day.

One of the most unusual places to hold a garden wedding ceremony is the Kensington Roof Gardens in London. Suspended 100 feet above street level and offering a view of the cityscape, the gardens are a collection of both Tudor gardens and formal cloistered Spanish gardens, both of which can be used to hold a surprisingly large ceremony (130 occupants for the ceremony and over 500 for the reception). This venue offers catering in-house and a fairytale setting that will make all your wedding dreams seem small in comparison to the real thing.