Your wedding venue is more than just a location for the wedding ceremony and reception party. Your choice of venue can have a significant impact on the overall look and atmosphere of your wedding event and, in many cases, will account for up to half of the money you spend on your wedding function overall. Do not let your mind go into a state of panic if the prospect of writing a hefty check is making you consider running away. There is no shortage of budget-friendly wedding venues that are accessible to those on a tight budget without compromising on flair or character.
If you choose a location that is less expensive, you will have more money available to spend on the aspects of your event that are most important to you, such as the wedding food and beverages, the wedding design and wedding decor, or the wedding photographs.
- Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite National Park, California
A location for the event with a name like this is impossible to ignore. One of the first waterfalls you’ll encounter when you enter Yosemite National Park is Bridalveil Falls, which can be found at the end of an easy half-mile loop close to the park’s entrance.
- Moran Point, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Because this historical park is among the most visited in the country, it is essential that you select a location that offers complete seclusion for the wedding celebration. Moran Point, which is located to the west of the main viewpoint on Desert View Drive, rarely sees as many visitors as the other viewpoints, but it nevertheless provides equally breathtaking views of the canyon and the Colorado River below.
- Timber Creek Overlook, Zion National Park, Utah
Are you hoping to keep the size of your ceremony modest? Zion National Park restricts the number of people in hiking groups that can visit the Timber Creek Overlook to no more than 12, making it an ideal location for a mountain elopement. The path travels along a ridge that provides a view of the Kolob Canyons, and from this vantage point, you can even make out Mount Trumbull on the Grand Canyon’s northern rim. Visit during the warm summer months to see a breathtaking display of wildflowers.
- Upper Beaver Meadows, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
You will arrive at a breathtaking location with unobstructed views of the Continental Divide after a journey of one and a half miles (you have the option of taking either a dirt track or a paved path). With the exception of the herds of elk that are located nearby, the expansive Upper Beaver Meadows will give you the impression that you are the only people in the world.
- Olympic National Park, Hoh Rain Forest, Washington
In exchange for an altar, you can have the luxuriant, verdant canopy of the Hoh Rain Forest. The mosses and ferns in the forest give it a magical quality, and the fact that there are a variety of little nature loops, as well as larger hiking routes, means that you may keep wandering until you find the ideal location for your wedding day.
City Hall
Eloping is not a requirement for getting married in the city hall. Even while the majority are intended for smaller parties, you can still say “I do” with your loved ones and some of your closest friends present.
- St. Louis City Hall
You will get access to the venue for two hours (including photographs), which is plenty of time for a walk down the aisle and a kiss after the ceremony is over at St. Louis City Hall’s rotunda, which is a steal if you only need it for the ceremony. This spectacular setting, which was inspired by Paris’s Hotel de Ville, will infuse your party with the luxury that is synonymous with French culture.
- Atlanta City Hall
Atlantis City Hall provides its guests with a variety of alternatives to choose from when it comes to on-site ceremonies. You can make an appointment with a number of judges to have the ceremony performed in their chambers, and they will not charge you any additional money on top of the cost of your marriage license. Some of them are also accessible, for an additional fee, for ceremonies that take place away from the venue or after normal business hours. You need something that’s a little bit more official, don’t you? In a manner analogous to that of San Francisco City Hall, certain sections of the building are made available for rental for the purpose of hosting wedding ceremonies and receptions.
Frequently asked questions
Is a wedding at a hotel less expensive?
You might be surprised to learn that holding a wedding at a hotel can frequently be very affordable. Tables, chairs, dishware, a dance floor, votive candles, and other essentials that you would typically need to hire can all be provided by the hotel, which could save you hundreds (and sometimes even thousands!) of dollars.
What aspects of a wedding shouldn’t be overpriced?
Couples should generally think twice before spending money on anything very trendy, especially if it lacks sentimental meaning. The couple should be the main emphasis of the wedding, not extraneous extras like releasing real doves, lighting fireworks, or hiring dancers.
Who typically pays for a wedding?
You may be aware that the groom’s family is expected to pay for a number of extras, such as the rehearsal dinner and the honeymoon, while the bride’s family is expected to pay for the majority of the wedding day expenses.
