Wedding Venues - Wedding Ceremony

A marriage ceremony is often the most important time in the life of the engaged couple. Brides and/or grooms tend to work very hard on the most minute details to ensure that this happy day works out as smoothly and beautifully as a fairytale fantasy. One piece that needs thoughtful attention to have the nuptials go off without a hitch (in this case to get hitched) is where to have the wedding. Wedding venues and wedding reception venues abound, and careful consideration should go into selecting the right one.

To give you an idea for what's possible, let's discuss options in two cities: Chicago and Houston.

There are several Chicago wedding venues to consider. Some options are: Fulton's On The River, which boasts a magnificent view of the water, Seven Ten Lounge-Spare Time Events, which gives the exciting urban flavor of Chicago and includes bowling, and the fancy and posh Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Chicago. A more exhaustive search can be performed to find just the right venue for your wedding.

Houston wedding venues can range from rural to urban. Often they'll give you different flavors of the South, from country to elegant. Consider The Magnolia room in the historic district, Always and Forever downtown, and Ashelynn Manor, just outside of Houston in the country.

The Magnolia room used to be a brewery, but has been converted to a beautiful fantasy, complete with a reception hall, dance floor, grand staircase and a romantic balcony that looks over the water. Always and Forever is designed to give the wedding parties the flavor of Europe without the expense. It has a sophisticated style modeled after cities in France, Spain and Italy that are leaders of elite taste. Ashelynn Manor is a country estate, whose building has nostalgic rising pillars and includes honeymoon suites that over look the rolling green hills, and rooms for the bridal party so they can already be there on the wedding day to prepare.

Perhaps you'd like to go for an international wedding. Both Cru(i)s(z)es—Penelope and Tom held their weddings abroad. It's not just a celebrity fad, its also capturing the imagination of thousands of non-celebrities too.

Wedding venues in the UK include scenic ocean side small villages, fancy royal locations in London, or rolling emerald magic in Ireland. Toronto wedding venues include The Atlantis Pavilion, Medieval Times (don't let the cheesy name confuse you, the pictures a fairytale intriguing), Arcadian Court and the Docks Entertainment Complex. There are many more options, but this sampling alone shows the wide range of elegance, sophistication, modern excitement and fantasy.

Don't forget to consider outdoor wedding venues as well. While a church wedding is beautiful, and ballroom weddings are elegant, there are many outdoor options that are peaceful—or adventuresome as well. Chicago has the whimsical Narnia Estates with beautiful cottages and wandering streams located on 55 storybook acres. The Houston area contains the Glades of Galveston, a 40 acre complex that is host to the extremely impressive Chateau Rivage, and the possibility of a beautiful wedding on the river.

London offers a wondrous array of parks and manicured gardens. Don't forget Ireland and Wales when contemplating the options. Toronto offers the breathtaking Edwards Gardens and Conservatories, with perennial roses, natural flora and fauna and scenic footbridges.

Take great care with selecting a wedding venue. When done properly it can contribute to a magical day and everlasting memories.