A Guide to Getting Married in Erie PA
While it's possible to forego most of your wedding day aspects, you cannot ignore the venue. After all, you need a place for your family and friends to gather and celebrate your big day. The venue sets the tone for your wedding. That's why you must choose it wisely.
But with so many options to choose from, picking a perfect wedding venue can be overwhelming. This guide collates essential aspects to consider when getting married in Erie, PA, to ensure you select the most suitable wedding venue.
Choosing the Wedding Venue
When choosing a wedding venue, there are several questions that you need to answer to help you pick the most appropriate space. For instance, do you want an indoor or outdoor space? Are you looking for a rustic or glam wedding? What's the preferred size of your wedding?
In addition, you need to consider the following factors when choosing your wedding venue.
Your Budget
Your wedding budget and how much you are willing to spend on a space play a significant role in determining your chosen venue. The average cost in Erie, PA, is between $10,000 and $36,000.
In most cases, the wedding venue and catering services comprise at least half of the wedding budget. Thus, you must pick a wedding venue that will fit in this budget and make your wedding day a roaring success.
Depending on your budget, you need to consider additional services you may pay with the venue. For instance, some venues do not include catering services but instead have chairs and tables. On the other hand, others will provide the catering services, in which case you will pay the full amount for catering but a reduced cost for the venue.
If you choose an outdoor space, you need to factor in additional costs such as renting the tents, chairs, tables, and portable washroom facilities. The additional costs can add several thousands of dollars to your budget, whichever option you choose. Therefore, it's essential to work with a professional wedding planner from the beginning to help you decide on the best and most cost-effective venue for your dream wedding.
Number of Guests
The number of guests you decide to invite to your wedding reception directly impacts your budget. While not every guest you invite might end up showing up, at least 70% of them will accept your invite and show up. While sending your invites, make sure you maintain a number that can comfortably fit in your chosen venue.
Wedding Style
When choosing a wedding venue, pick the one that perfectly resonates with your style. In this case, you have a variety of options to consider, including:
Vintage is most suitable if you want your wedding to have a historic touch
The rustic venue is more nature-inspired and can range from a barn, country-inn to a ranch
Classic is your best choice if you want your wedding to have a traditional feel
Glamorous venues range from grand manors to hotel ballrooms and give your wedding an extra touch of sparkle
Best Time to Get Married
The month you choose to get married significantly impacts the subsequent planning of your wedding. Therefore, when selecting a wedding date, make sure you give yourself ample time to check everything off your list. For instance, a year may be enough to pick a venue, a wedding dress, make a guest list, the catering company, the reception deejay, and other vital aspects of your wedding.
When deciding on the best time to get married, you need to determine what's more important to you, the venue, or a specific date. If it's the venue, then you need to check with the particular venue for available dates. This can mean pushing your big day closer or further, depending on availability. But if you are more cautious about the date, you will have to check various venues until you get one available on your preferred date.
Getting a Marriage License
After getting married, you need to get your marriage license. In Erie, PA, you need to visit the marriage bureau with your partner and bring along the following documents:
Photo or a driver's license that indicates your date of birth
Your social security number. If the social security card is unavailable, you can provide the number in a written form
Your mother's maiden name, your parent's current address, their occupation, and the state where they were born
$60 in cash form
While these conditions mainly apply to Pennsylvania residents, non-residents may also get the license, but it's only applicable in the state. In addition to the above requirements, you must provide your divorce decree if you are recently divorced.
Where the previous marriage was terminated by death, you need to provide a death certificate of your late spouse before you can get a marriage license. After you get the permit, it's only effective after 60 days from the date of issuance and is only applicable in Pennsylvania.
Fun Things to Do At Your Wedding Reception
After the ceremony, the reception is where the real fun begins. Therefore, you must make it unforgettable by incorporating personalized themes and interactive food services. In addition, you can go beyond dancing by trying any of these fun ideas.
Have a Children's Section
While having kids at the reception is associated with chaos, you can have them and still have minimal mess by setting aside a table exclusive for them. In addition, ensure you have an entertainer, kid-friendly snacks, toys, crayons, and other kid-friendly games to keep them engaged.
Go for Short and Sweet Speeches
You don't want your guests to get bored listening to one log speech after the other. So during your rehearsal dinner, advise those who have speeches to keep them short and sweet.
Incorporate Surprises
Add more fun to the reception by including surprises that the guests don't expect. For instance, you can invite a performer such as a belly dancer or acrobat to arrive at an unexpected time.
Create Various Zones
The best part of the reception is allowing your guests to mingle. You can achieve this by creating numerous zones such as a cocktail corner, coffee table, or roulette table. These zones enable the guests to move around and mingle with each other. In addition, the reception will become more lively as the guests choose their fun activities.
Final Thoughts
When choosing a wedding venue, you need a space interesting to you as a couple and your guests. At Beach Glass Estates, we provide you with a wedding venue that features a unique touch of an old English chapel. In addition, the venue has a breathtaking view that gives your guests a memorable experience.
Book with us today and give your guests a relaxing experience and a reason to remember your wedding day!