One trend I’m noticing in the U.K is the use of a tipi as outdoor reception space. I love this idea and I think you will be seeing tipis popping up in this part of the world soon.

Photos: Purple Rain

UK couple Shella and Derek had a huge indian style tipi from Beautiful World Tents for their reception. Photo by RosieParsons.com

Outdoor wedding of Mailin & Ed, just outside of Edinburgh, Scotland. Tipi by Tentipi. Photos by Lillian and Leonard Wedding Photography

A glass chapel in the woods? Can you believe how beautiful it is? Breathtaking. That’s what it is. Imagine getting married here? Where is it, you ask?

This gorgeous glass chapel is at Garvan Woodland Gardens near Hot Springs, Arkansas. The wedding was shot by Becker.

Continued from Part 1 of The Ups and Downs of an At-Home Wedding.

There are things to keep in mind if you are planning an at-home wedding. Very important things.

1. Toilets. It’s probably the least romantic thing about your wedding, but it’s probably one of the most important. No matter where you decide to have your wedding, you’re going to need at least one. If you are having your wedding at home, you might decide that guests can use the washrooms in your home. But after giving it some serious thought, you might change your mind.  If you are having an outdoor wedding, do you really want your guests traipsing in and out of your home? Can your plumbing system take the wear and tear? Is it possible that your septic system will be overstressed, causing a plumbing nightmare on the biggest day of your life? (Ever see Meet the Parents?) After doing some research, we discovered that port-a-johns definitely aren’t what they used to be. There are new user-friendly models in a variety of colors. Not only are they more pleasing to the eye, they have sinks and flush toilets. Even though they are more expensive, they were definitely worth the splurge.
2. Neighbors. Warn them in advance and give them a heads up closer to the big day. They might even offer up their driveways for parking – or a portable stage! Be extra kind to them as you get close to your wedding day so that they will put up with potentially high noise levels from your happy wedding guests.
3. Invite your caterer over before the big day so s/he can scope out your kitchen. S/he’ll need to know how much space there is to work in – as well as fridge and stove details.
4. If you are doing the outdoor thing, it’s a good idea to rent a tent. That is, unless you have a huge tolerance for risk. (Which I do not.)
5. Hire a cleaning person to clean your home thoroughly prior to your wedding – not to mention after your big day. Unless of course you have a lovely friend or relative who has kindly offered to take on this task.
6. Have bug spray handy. Citronella candles might provide ambiance, but they are useless when it comes to fending off hungry ‘mossies’.
7. If your guests like to over-imbibe, be prepared: some might want to crash at your house. We had a pretty tame crowd at our wedding, but like any good party there’s a chance this will happen at your wedding. If you’re not equipped for sleepovers, be smart and call a cab.
8. Enjoy the journey. Easy for me to say -  I got married eight years ago. But, really, try not to sweat the small stuff like boatlifts.
9. Give yourself a pat on the back for pulling it off. Planning a wedding at home is no small feat, but it’s one of the most rewarding things you will accomplish.  Raise a glass to yourself – (and to your neighbor) for a job well done!

Photo: Susan Adler Photography; Bonnie and Kevin’s Delightful Garden Wedding

A couple of weeks before our at-home wedding, our neighbor placed a big, honking boatlift on his beach. This wasn’t any old boatlift. It was a rickety, rusty eyesore.

I wouldn’t have cared. Honest. It’s just that my husband-to-be and I spent months getting our home ready for our backyard wedding. This involved adding flowerbeds, planting a truckload of ever-thirsty impatiens (more on those later), powerwashing, and even painting.

I envisioned my guests mingling on the spotless deck, cocktails in hand, a soft breeze from Lake Erie cooling their sun-exposed skin. I pictured sailboats in the distance, a beach free of garbage and smelly dead things and an unobstructed view of Fermi II (that’s the nuclear power plant across the lake). I did not forsee a rusty, contraption of a boatlift to be part of the picture.

So, I traipsed on over to my neighbour’s house and told him we were getting married and we were having an at-home wedding. And by the way, can you move your boatlift because it won’t look nice in my wedding photos? (The nerve of me!)

Our wedding day came and went, and the boatlift didn’t budge. And you know what? It didn’t matter. Not a single bit. I did not harbor bad feelings towards my neighbor, and he did not hold my temporary lapse of reason against me.  In fact, the day before our wedding he offered us the use of a wooden platform that we ended up using it as a stage for the Irish band!

Looking back, I can’t believe that I was so petty. But that’s what planning a wedding can do to you. Even a small wedding. It can make you crazy. Unrecognizable. The evil twin sister you didn’t know you had can suddenly rear her ugly head. Heck, there are even TV shows about this kind of thing.

And having an at-home wedding can intensify the symptoms -especially if you are a perfectionist. There are so many extra details involved with planning an at-home wedding that it can be overwhelming for anyone – but especially those who have a penchant for perfection.

Not only will you be running around like a hen with her head missing trying to cross off the zillion things on your to-do list, you’ll also want to make sure your home is extra-tidy, extra-lovely, extra-special for your extra-important big day. And that will take Effort.  (Note the capital ‘E’ for emphasis.)

One of the first things Darin and I did when we decided to have a backyard wedding was head out to a local nursery to load up on flowers, and other bedding plants. In fact, we spent the entire spring and summer landscaping our property, which included planting dozens of flats of impatiens, as well as an assortment of perennials. Through it all, I discovered a new passion – gardening, and I lost weight without even trying! (Hauling wheelbarrows full of earth day after day will get you in shape pretty fast!)I also discovered that impatiens and a scorching hot summer climate make for a very LARGE water bill.

Even though we were having our at home wedding outdoors, Darin and I decided not only to landscape the yard – but also fix up our house before the wedding. This included stripping wallpaper, painting, stripping more wallpaper, and, did I mention stripping wallpaper? We had plenty of help from family, but Darin and I truly busted our behinds trying to get things in order.

Of course, not all couples planning an at-home wedding spend months fixing up their place. Some people don’t lift a finger on home improvements. If that’s the case, planning can be a whole lot easier.

Tomorrow: Part 2 of ‘The Ups and Downs of an At Home Wedding?’

By Carey, IW Bride Blogger

Nathan and I have always known we wanted to get married in New Hampshire. At least I can’t remember ever talking about any other place to marry. After realizing that atmosphere (fun, festive, and family) was really important to us, we decided that having our ceremony and party at a home would be the best idea.

Just what we were looking for. It’s in a great location for those that do not live in New Hampshire. There is so much to do so close by! Most all major attractions can be found within a 45 minute drive. The scenery is so beautiful! The air so fresh! When we went this past August to visit family Nathan and I both fell in love.

We’re so excited to let everyone know this is the place we will become husband and wife!

Aside from your ability to really splurge on the things that matter, a small wedding opens up the doors to a variety of venue options.  

What better way to have a ‘wow’ wedding than in a charming setting? Here are five intimate wedding venues that are sure to charm:

Restaurant - Are you a foodie? Do you have a favorite bistro, or fine dining restaurant? Why not find out if the venue can host your wedding? Restaurants and lounges are becoming an increasingly popular choice for couples looking for small wedding venues.  Although all restaurants are different, many have intimate surroundings that are ideal for small guest lists. And they can save you money. Having a restaurant reception means not having to rent tables, chairs, tableware and glassware. Some venues will also provide linens. And as far as convenience goes – there’s no need to hire a caterer. The chef is already in the house! Read about Diane and Doug’s dazzling restaurant wedding.

Inn or Bed and Breakfast – Inns and bed and breakfasts are ideal small wedding venues. Whether you want a small decadent indoor wedding or a simple garden wedding on a budget, there’s sure to be an inn or bed and breakfast to suit your needs. Although many couples choose inns that they have previously stayed at to get married, some couples choose small wedding venues they’ve never visited. It might be an inn just a few blocks away, or one on the other side of the country – or even the globe. Read about Alex and Scott’s east coast inn wedding.

Art Gallery – Are you an artsy type? Why not have your wedding reception at an art gallery? A few years ago, art gallery weddings were about as fringe as Mohawk hairdos. But as popularity of more personalized and intimate weddings has risen, so has the need for unique venues. Art galleries across North America have quickly caught on and many are now marketing themselves as ideal places to hold a wedding reception. Both large and small galleries offer rental space for weddings – and many offer full blown wedding packages. If you are more the DIY type, there are plenty of galleries that will let you ‘have at it’ for your wedding day.

Winery - Miles of rolling hills strung with lush green grapevines that are ripe with plump, sweet grapes. It’s no wonder that so many brides and grooms head to wine country to tie the knot. A vineyard is a gorgeous setting to say ‘I do.’ Whether you are looking for an outdoor ceremony amidst the vines, or an intimate wine themed reception indoors overlooking the vineyard, wineries are ideal small wedding venues for couples wanting to add the splendor of nature to their nuptials. Wineries not only provide a picturesque setting, many are equipped to meet a couple’s wedding day needs from start to finish.

At Home – The words wedding and home don’t always go together, especially if you are having a big guest list. However, if you have opted for a small wedding the two can be a match made in heaven. At-home weddings are becoming increasingly popular, especially for couples who want to add a personal touch to their weddings. With 60 percent of couples living together, many already own homes and love the idea of tying the knot there. Others couples may choose to get married at the home of a relative or friend. Read about Sherry and John’s backyard wedding.

Remember that just because you choose to have a small wedding, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t start your search for a venue early. Places can book up over a year in advance – especially if they’re high on charm. So go ahead, sit down with your spouse-to-be and make a list of potential sites. Is there a place that has special meaning to you?  Maybe it’s the bed and breakfast you stayed at last summer or the restaurant on the corner. Or maybe it’s your own backyard.

Whether you are looking for fabulous NY wedding venues for a destination wedding in the Big Apple, or you are a New Yorker who is hungry for some unique NY wedding venues to check out, read on – especially if you are considering a theme wedding.

Here are four unique NY wedding venues and four themes that are the perfect fit:

Library Hotel for a Library Themed Wedding

A few weeks ago I blogged about a couple who had a library themed wedding. (Check out the library slip invitations!) New York’s Library Hotel would be the perfect spot for a library themed wedding. The Library Hotel in New York City is the first hotel ever to offer its guest over 6,000 volumes of books organized throughout the hotel by the Dewey Decimal System.* Each of the 10 guestroom floors honor one of the 10 categories of the DDC and each of the 60 rooms are uniquely adorned with a collection of books and art exploring a distinctive topic within the category it belongs to.

The Gallery Bar for an Art Themed Wedding

Are you and your sweetie artsy types? Consider an intimate wedding with an art theme at The Gallery Bar! This venue, which is both a bar and a contemporary exhibition space for artists, has two levels for private events.

Merchants House Wedding for a Romantic Tea Party Wedding

Why not have a romantic tea party wedding at the Merchants House Museum? The Merchant’s House Museum is New York City’s only family home preserved intact – inside and out - from the 19th century. Built in 1832 just steps from Washington Square, this elegant red-brick and white-marble row house on East Fourth Street was home to a prosperous merchant family for almost 100 years. You can have your elegant tea party in the house or in the garden.

The Old Stone House for an Historical Themed Wedding

Love history? Have an historical themed wedding at The Old Stone House. The lovely Great Room on the 2nd floor has pale yellow walls, an open timbered ceiling and excellent acoustics.  The first floor gallery commemorates the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Brooklyn and is included in rentals during non-public hours.

Want a contemporary NY wedding with lots of flair? Want an intimate NY wedding in a ‘wow’ setting? New York has plenty of ‘raw spaces’ that can be magically transformed for your wedding day.

Check out these unique NY wedding venues:

The Foundry

In the 19^th Century it was a foundry, now it’s on the list as one of the most interesting NY wedding venues. One look at the photos and you’ll see that it has been meticulously restored to retain its industrial character. Stunning proportions, adaptable to many uses, and available to rent for weddings up to 125 people for a seated meal.

The Foundry also has an adjacent courtyard, as well as a terrace, which features views of the Queensboro Bridge and Manhattan skyline.

Scandinavia House

When it comes to unique NY wedding venues,  Scandinavia House has of the most ideal settings for an intimate event.

Designed by the celebrated American architect James Stewart Polshek, Scandinavia House is a stunning modern building that puts Scandinavian culture on display with design materials and furnishings representing the five Nordic countries. Detailed with exquisite care, the cultural center reflects Scandinavia’s reputation for excellent craftsmanship and sophisticated design.

The building is located in mid-town Manhattan and is close to major New York landmarks.

Scandinavia House has a list of preferred caterers including Smörgås Chef, which manages a full service restaurant on our main floor.

Brooklyn Artists Gym

Brooklyn Artists Gym is an artist studio and gallery facility in the Park Slope/Gowanus area of Brooklyn, New York. The Brooklyn Artists Gym Gallery is available to rent for small weddings. The Gallery is approximately 900 square feet, with over 125 running feet of wall space.  There are over 60 adjustable lights, and the ceiling is 11 feet high.   There is also an adjacent 500 sq. ft room that can be used along with the gallery space for weddings.

Galapagos Art Space

This art space, located in Brooklyn has 1,600 square foot lake complete with island seating on the lake, a wrap around mezzanine with operatic ‘box-style’ seating is as romantic as they come.

Winner of a 2009 Building Brooklyn Award, and current nominee for the Municipal Art Society’s MASterwork Award, Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO is on target to become New York City’s first LEED certified ‘green’ cultural venue.

Spoke the Hub Re:Creation Center

Spoke the Hub Re:Creation Center, located in the heart of residential Park Slope, Brooklyn, serves as the company’s headquarters and main teaching center and its available for weddings.

Occupying two full floors of a typical Brooklyn brownstone, the main studio is approximately 16′ x 38′ and sports a sprung maple hardwood floor, mirrors, ballet barres, and a sound system that accommodates CD’s or iPod.

Ramscale

Ramscale is a 3,500 square ft. penthouse loft with a terrace that overlooks the Hudson River. It has 12 9 ft. x 4 ft. windows that offer breathtaking views of the harbor and lower Manhattan.

Divine Studio

If you’ve been looking for NY wedding venues that will wow your guests, check out Divine Studio. Divine Studio is a 300 square foot studio in the heart of Noho. The white expoxy floors, floor to ceiling arched windows and south and west daylight exposure make it a magical setting for a wedding. The space is like a blank canvas and can be transformed for intimate events.

In my early twenties, I yearned for a loft lifestyle. I envisioned myself riding home from an artsy job, on an artsy bicycle (with a basket on the front to hold a paperback and fresh flowers) to my loft in the warehouse district of Toronto. I envisioned my loft to have high ceilings and massive windows letting in loads of natural light. Kinda like this (except with lots of colorful art on the walls):

Loft living never materialized for this chick, (I’m a suburban gal with a lawn full of doggy doo and dandelions) but I’m still in love with the look of these open spaces. And I think they make a superb setting for a wedding.

Raw spaces, such as lofts and warehouses (they can also include yoga studios, ballrooms, gymnasiums and exhibition spaces) are like a blank canvas.  Although they can require work to transform for a wedding, they’re perfect for creative couples who want to create a one-of-kind event. Check out the following picture which is the above space transformed for an event:

And according to Kate Harrison’s The Green Bride Guide, raw spaces are ideal for couples who want an eco-friendly event because generally you will be able to hand-pick all of your vendors.

Here are a few more images of raw spaces that offer rentals for weddings and other events.

Photo One: Divine Studio, New York; Photo Two: Divine Studio, New York; Photo Three: Galapagos Art Space, New York; Photo Four: Ramscale, New York; Photo Five: The Richmond, Toronto

Having a small wedding? Love art? What about an art gallery wedding? I love the fun, contemporary look of this ceremony layout at the Art Gallery of Calgary. Decor by Wishahmon Wedding Creations, a wedding decorating company based in Calgary, Alberta.