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As we celebrate N.Y. legalizing Gay Marriage, we have a new found hope and desire that more states will follow suit. Proposal done… check. Date selected… check. Budget decided on…check. Now, its time to decide what the ceremony and reception will look like — and more importantly, where it should be held. Do you want a secular location? A beachfront?

perfect-host-location-location-location-1

perfect-host-location-location-location-2As we celebrate N.Y. legalizing Gay Marriage, we have a new found hope and desire that more states will follow suit.

Proposal done… check. Date selected… check. Budget decided on…check. Now, its time to decide what the ceremony and reception will look like — and more importantly, where it should be held. Do you want a secular location? A beachfront? A tropical garden or maybe an intimate home affair?

I don’t mean to overwhelm you with questions, but they all come into play. I suggest you sit down with your partner and make a list of all the “must-haves.” This list will be your guide at each venue you visit. Of course, as you see different options your list may change but will still act as a good guide. Your wedding ceremony and reception venues help set the tone, mood, and motif for your big day. It’s vital that you select a location that will please both you and your partner.

Here are some tips to help make your decisions simpler: For an Outdoor Ceremony/ Reception

Make sure you have a “Plan B” (a.k.a. A rain plan). Remember, not all outdoor spaces have indoor options available. This is very important because if the weather changes, you don’t want to find your big day all washed up. Sometimes a nearby space can be rented as back-up. But remember, when designing your theme and your décor, be sure that your team can use everything inside if the weather turns bad.

An alternative to expensive outdoor locations are city and state parks. Most have areas where ceremoinies can be held at minimal cost.

Hotels and Catering Halls

These options are fantastic and provide more traditional events. When contracting these spaces be sure to find out if you are able to bring in your own vendors or need to use their in-house providers.” Words of wisdom: negotiate! Venues are happy to work with you to ensure that they get your business. This way, they can have your business, and you can have your dream event – at affordable prices.

Know the Rules

Each venue and location has its own rules be it noise restrictions (such as you cannot play music past 10 p.m.), overnight stays, cancellation policies…whatever the case, make sure you know and understand all of the rules.

Remember there is a venue out there for everyone, be patient and enjoy the process.

Ask Marc:

Dear Marc:

My partner and I are from N.Y. and would like to get married. Is this still a possibility since we live in Florida now?

Yours truly,

Matt

Matt, congrats! You and your partner can absolutely get married in N.Y. and still be a resident of Florida. With that said, Florida will not recognize your marriage, but the Federal Gov’t will. Remember, marriage is an amazing thing that celebrates the coming together of two people no matter where they live. I suggest after your ceremony in N.Y. celebrate in Florida with a party that your friends and family can take part in.

Marc

We are having a ceremony in a public park, should we be concerned by passerbys interfering?

-Fran

MS: Hi Fran, That is a great question. When doing a wedding or any event for that matter in a public space, the possibility of passerbys is always there. Most people will want to look and see the beauty that you are celebrating, if you are concerned for any reason, I suggest hiring security. This can be achieved by contacting your local police station and hiring an off-duty officer, the cost is minimal, but the piece of mind is priceless.

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Have a “relationship” question you’d like answered but don’t know who to ask? Resident wedding and events expert, Marc Silverstone of Equilibrium Events, is happy to share his knowledge about relationships, marriage, weddings, events, and all things “romantic.” If you have a question you’d like answered, write to him c/o of Hotspots magazine at info@EquilibriumEventsInc.com