Going to the Chapel -- But Yours, Mine, or Ours ?

So hello again, lovely readers! I cannot believe it is already August, but nonetheless, here we are :) This blog post was inspired by one of my dearest Sorority Sisters who contacted me a few weeks ago and stumped me with a really great question:

Does the BRIDE or the GROOM select the wedding venue?

And more importantly:

What do you do about the LOCATION when the Bride and the Groom are from two different areas/states?

Great questions, right? Well no more worries, because I did some research, and these are the suggestions/conclusions that I came up with to present to you.

Traditionally-speaking, it is actually the BRIDE who determines the wedding location/venue, and the Church/Chapel is located in the Bride`s hometown. Today, however, many couples are choosing to "remix" many aspects of the traditional wedding by interweaving some newage concepts with the "tried and true" ways of the past.

In the instance that the bride and groom are from different hometowns or do not have families who are centrally-located in concentrated areas, I definitely feel that the bride and the groom should work *TOGETHER* to determine the best location for their special day, and let the traditional approach to the location take a backseat.

If both sets of families will have to travel, maybe the two of you lovebirds could work together to find a location that is equidistant, making each side feel equally as important as the other and minimizing even the slightest bit of room for misinterpretation. Once you find a general area that could possibly work, take a peek at the surrounding areas in a sensible radius, and ask around! Depending on the location/season, some places may be more affordable options than their neighboring counterparts. Also, if traveling is a must, logistics shouldn`t be taken lightly. Allow modes of transportation, ease of travel, and travel costs associated with each option to play a major role.

Following "loving, honoring, and cherishing", the first lesson in a happy marriage is COMPROMISE. As a following suggestion, if the Bride`s opinion weighs more heavily in the decision for selecting the wedding venue, perhaps the Groom`s opinion could be the louder voice in selecting the reception location? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Dare to be different and make your decisions based on a day reflective of what your wedding is truly celebrating -- two lives becoming one -- in whatever ways that means to you!

^^The Stunning Westminster Abbey | How bout THAT for a fabulous venue, eh?

Until August 15th, may you each have wonderful days :)

Live fully, laugh earnestly, and love deeply.

♥