Are you planning an intimate wedding on a strict budget? If so, you can save a substantial amount of money just by choosing the right wedding venue. This doesn't mean that you have to say your vows in an undesirable location. In fact, because you're planning a smaller wedding, there are several beautiful wedding venue options available to you, and you don't have to pay a small fortune to rent one.

Combine Your Wedding and Wedding Reception

If you want to say your vows in a church, choose a church that has enough space for your wedding reception, such as an event room or an open, finished basement. This way, you aren't shelling out additional cash to rent two locations.

If you don't plan to marry in a church, look for a venue with enough space to create an area for your altar and an area for your reception. A few ideas include:

• Local clubs
• Recreation centers
• Botanical gardens

Alternative Locations

You don't always have to rent a wedding venue in order to have a beautiful wedding. There are several alternative locations that won't cost you a dime.

• Get married at home. If you have enough space in your home for your guests, you can tie the knot in your own living room. If there isn't enough room at your home, consider using your parents' or your future in-laws' house. Or, if the weather will be nice, move the wedding outdoors. Many people have beautiful backyard weddings.
• Tie the knot at a public park. Most parks have policies that allow you to rent the park's picnic shelters, but you don't have to pay to use the open land in a public park. While you won't be able to set up chairs or decorate an area of the park without permission, there's no reason you can't gather in the park for a small standing ceremony. Just make sure to choose a park with enough room for your guests, and keep your vows short so that your guests don't have to stand long.
• Get married at a friend's house. If you have a friend with a beautiful home or large yard, ask your friend if you can use their home for your wedding. Instead of paying your friend for the use of their home, ask them if you can use their home for your wedding and consider it their wedding gift to you.

Choosing the perfect wedding venue is a huge decision, but it doesn't have to be a costly one. When you take your time and think outside of the box, you'll discover that finding a budget-friendly wedding venue for your small wedding is simple. For more information, contact McHale's Events & Catering or a similar company.