At Home, In A Church, On A Beach? What’s Your Perfect Location?

How To Decide Where You Really Want To Renew Your Vows Deciding where your renewal of vows will take place isn’t a small matter. your venue can dictate the time […]

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How To Decide Where You Really Want To Renew Your Vows

Deciding where your renewal of vows will take place isn’t a small matter. your venue can dictate the time and date of your celebration, how formal the event is, even what you’ll want to wear. The idea is to look at all of your options and even consider some that are not instinctively the kind you think you want right off. With that in mind, we compiled a list of popular vow renewal venues. See if one feels perfect!

having your vow renewal at your house of worshipAt a House of Worship

Renewing your wedding vows in your church or synagogue is a wonderfully traditional route for the ceremony. It can also offer an easy, convenient, beautiful reception space. There may be a required fee for the officiant and possibly a room rental fee. You’ll likely need to hire a caterer and a florist, and the church or synagogue often has a pre-approved list of vendors to choose from. If you’re an active member of your house of worship, you may have wonderful options including help from the membership for your reception.

Top Pros and Cons of a House of Worship

  • Pros: Having the ceremony and reception in one place makes easy on you and your guests (no need for transportation).
  • Cons: Some religious institutions impose limitations on the noise level, length of party, and types of food and drinks served.

having a vow renewal at a hotelAt a Hotel

Hotels and resorts are popular venues for good reason: They have ballrooms, courtyards, and various spaces to use for any size party. Plus, it’s one-stop shopping; you typically select a vow renewal package and some custom options. Packages typically can accommodate a wide variety of guest list sizes. You’re generally not bound by too many rules on the length of your event or the noise level, and having your guests stay on-site can simplify the experience.

Top Pros and Cons of a Hotel Vow Renewal

  • Pros: An in-house planner is often included with your vow renewal package, so you can avoid paying extra for a professional to oversee and coordinate the details.
  • Cons: Hotels almost always have multiple events booked per weekend, which means your cocktail hour could be taking place right next to a noisy marketing convention.

having your vow renewal at your favorite restaurantAt a Restaurant

If you’re a couple of foodies, a vow renewal at your favorite restaurant may be perfect. You can treat your guests to your favorite dining experience while taking in a sentimental moment if it happens to be the site of special moments in your marriage. The size of your guest list can also make this a smart option; a guest list of about 100 is usually too small to fill a hotel ballroom but perfect for a restaurant’s dining room. If you want to rent out the entire restaurant, you’ll need to cover the food and beverage income they would have brought in that evening. Since the flatware, china, tables, bar, and more are included, so this can be a cost-effective option. If the price tag is a bit steep for you, another great option is to reserve just a portion of the restaurant, such as a separate dining room space.

Top Pros and Cons of a Restaurant Vow Renewal

  • Pros: Distinctive food. Also, you may be able to negotiate a great price if you’re willing to hold your vow renewal on a night when the restaurant is typically closed or slow.
  • Cons: A space to dance may be small or nonexistent. And when it comes to customizing a menu, there’s usually less flexibility with a restaurant chef than with a caterer.

is a museum perfect for your vow renewal?At a Museum

This unique venue can provide you with a memorable setting and lend your renewal of vows instant grandeur. You should expect that museums in large cities will have equally large venue fees; lesser-known museums in smaller cities may have significantly lower fees. Surprising, many museums have an in-house caterer, but some may permit outside vendors. Every museum has different rules, so be sure to speak to its administration about rules and restrictions; for example, the facility may not allow photos or video in certain gallery or exhibition areas.

Top Pros and Cons of a Museum Vow Renewal

  • Pros: Artwork and artifacts serve as natural conversation starters during the cocktail hour.
  • Cons: Since the space isn’t designed primarily for large events, you will likely have to get creative with how you configure the dance floor or bar area.

planning your vow renewal at a country clubAt a Country Club

If you’re dreaming of an elegant, black-tie affair, a country club can be ideal. Many offer a stately entrance, classic furnishings, and landscaped grounds that will give your vow renewal celebration just the right polished and formal feeling. There is typically more than ample space for the ceremony and reception and plenty of parking since social events are a primary focus of this type of facility. You should expect to be required to use the in-house caterer and perhaps even baker, though they typically offer package options that are priced similarly to those of a hotel.

Top Pros and Cons of a Country Club Vow Renewal

  • Pros: Parties are at the core of country-club operations, so the staff is likely to handle your big day with ease. Chairs, tables, dishes, glassware, and linens are usually supplied.
  • Cons: Beware of common hidden charges, such as corkage and cake-cutting fees, not to mention mandatory valet parking and bathroom attendants.

holding your vow renewal at a historic estateAt a Historic Estate

An old, restored mansion can lend a uniquely romantic feel to your vow renewal and be the perfect option for couples old and young alike. As with a museum, the estate may have strict rules regarding capacity and noise to protect it from damage and may require you to choose from a pre-approved vendor list. The style of the estate can compliment or dictate the style of your event, but it’s possible to create almost anything you can dream up in this space.

Top Pros and Cons of a Historic Estate Vow Renewal

  • Pros: Fewer flowers and decor are necessary, since it’s already highly designed. Add to the sense of history by using your own family treasures, like vintage silver and china, in the place settings.
  • Cons: The layout of small rooms means you may have to break up your party with a few tables in each. If you prefer to keep everyone together, consider renting a tent.

is your home the right place for your vow renewalAt Your Home

Renewing your vows at your house, summer home, or a friend’s property lets you share with your guests a place that’s meaningful to you, and you can’t beat having the comforts of a private home on this important day. Don’t underestimate the cost, though. You may need to rent a large tent, depending on the amount of space in the home and the size of your guest list, and/or the potential for inclement weather. If your guest list is larger than a typical big family party, you’ll probably also need to rent extra portable bathrooms. Depending on your location, parking can also be an issue; you may need to look into valet service or trolley rental to transport guests to the house.

Top Pros and Cons of Renewing Your Vows at Home

  • Pros: A meaningful at-home setting creates instant intimacy and puts guests at ease.
  • Cons: It can be pricey, and the logistics of this type of celebration may be complex.

Hold your vow renewal at the parkAt a Beach or Park

If your area has a beautiful (and inexpensive) outdoor space, why not take advantage of it for your celebration? For a nominal permit fee you get a picturesque, open-air setting with plenty of space for seating, not to mention passersby who will gather for a glimpse, leaving you and your spouse feeling like stars for the day. Keep in mind you will need to bring in seating, flowers, and decor for the ceremony, and if you are permitted to throw the reception there as well, a zillion other things. Don’t forget the tent in case of rain or excess sun!

Top Pros and Cons of a Beach or Park Vow Renewal

  • Pros: Natural light and beautiful scenery translate into amazing photos.
  • Cons: Some parks and beaches impose a time limit of just two hours. There might be rules about noise levels, and glass bottles and drinking containers may not be permitted.

2 Comments

  1. Jackie October 21, 2015 at 3:29 pm - Reply

    Private vow renewal no more than 10 guests

    • Karie November 2, 2015 at 8:33 am - Reply

      An intimate location, such as the beach, park, your home, a restaurant, or public place is perfect for a small ceremony. For a guest list this small, you may not even need a permit for a public space if you don’t intend to have seating or decorations. A lovely idea for a group this site is on a boat dock with the water as a background, the stage at local public park typically used for outdoor concerts and performances, or on the steps of a beautiful public building. Ideally, it would be close enough to a restaurant that your group could make a short walk together to celebrate with dinner!

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