How to Decide Where to Get Married

After taking the time to enjoy your engagement, the first thing you and your sweetheart should do is decide on the location for your wedding. We don’t necessarily mean picking a venue right away; you may choose to bring on a planner to assist with that task. No, what you need to figure it out is what city or town will host the nuptials. Typically, the options are near the bride or groom’s hometown, the current city where the couple resides, or a faraway destination. Some soon-to-be newlyweds grew up in the same area and possibly even still live there, which narrows the obvious choices. But for lovebirds who have roots hundreds of miles away and built a home together in yet another town, it can be a tough decision where they will have to factor in the various pros and cons of each spot. 

Couples who choose to throw a destination wedding typically do so because they want a small, intimate celebration. You might think that if you want a small guest list, you can just invite fewer people, but an overseas event can help quell hurt feelings if there are a lot of people from back home who would otherwise expect an invitation.

If you grew up in a different place than you currently live, it can be tough to figure out where you should wed. Here are three questions to ask yourself while making the decision: 

- Who is paying for the wedding? If it’s you, there’s more freedom, but if your parents or those of your future spouse are footing the bill, they might want something more convenient to them than to you.

- Which option is a place people would like to visit? If a large portion of your guests will be traveling either way, it’s best to at least choose somewhere people will be excited to go.

- What will work best logistically? Rural locations may have fewer vendor options, while cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC are likely to cost more.

The answers to these questions should guide you to the right choice, which means you're ready to find out what you need to know when choosing a wedding venue and the first steps to take when shopping for a bridal gown.