How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Location

Traditional Location

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, leaving time to prepare for the five o’clock service. But most reception halls won’t cater to guests until 6 or 7 p.m.

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