Traditional

What It Is: A religious ceremony, often in the bride’s hometown, followed by a party at a reception hall.

Good For: Couples with religious ties, a significant connection to a hometown, and a sizable guest list. Many halls can accommodate 100 to 400 people and come complete with everything you need (silverware, dinnerware, food, alcohol, and linens), saving you money in the end.

What to Know: When the ceremony needs to be scheduled and what time your reception can begin. Catholic churches, for instance, normally want the ceremony to be completed by 3 or 4 p.m. on a Saturday so they can start preparing for the 5 o’clock service. But most reception halls won’t cater to guests until around 6 or 7 p.m.

Resources: For a national directory of Christian churches, go to www.churchangel.com. Jewish temples are listed at www.jewishdirectory.com. For mosques, visit www.islamicity.com/orgs. And for Hindu temples, log on to www.councilofhindutemples.org. An extensive list of reception halls is available at www.elegala.com.