Is a park wedding a feasible option?

SamanthaJean528

Looking for some advice from fellow outdoor brides!

It has always been my dream to have my wedding outside. I live next to a gorgeous park. I was thinking it might be a good idea to do the wedding ceremony and reception here. I checked my city ordinances and I will have to get a special permit and pay a small $30 fee to have more than 50 people at the gathering. (which is incredibly cheap for a venue.) There is also this adorable gazebo where I would want the actual ceremony to take place. (see pic)

The only thing I am worried about however, is other people at the park. I mean, it is open to the public so I am kind of worried about other people being there and possibly disrupting the ceremony. (ie. screaming kids playing etc.)

Or do you think people will see that a wedding is going on and they will try and stay away from the area of the ceremony and reception?

Anyone else here doing/have done a park wedding? How did it turn out. Any advice is much appreciated!!

Thanks!

FutureMrsDudley55

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_park-wedding-feasible-option?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:666Discussion:d76af2da-c650-4600-bf51-822bd6e7af76Post:0e397649-6280-425d-bfbb-7c4fab6c0a08">Is a park wedding a feasible option?</a>:
[QUOTE]Looking for some advice from fellow outdoor brides! It has always been my dream to have my wedding outside. I live next to a gorgeous park. I was thinking it might be a good idea to do the wedding ceremony and reception here. I checked my city ordinances and I will have to get a special permit and pay a small $30 fee to have more than 50 people at the gathering. (which is incredibly cheap for a venue.) There is also this adorable gazebo where I would want the actual ceremony to take place. (see pic) The only thing I am worried about however, is other people at the park. I mean, it is open to the public so I am kind of worried about other people being there and possibly disrupting the ceremony. (ie. screaming kids playing etc.)<strong> Or do you think people will see that a wedding is going on and they will try and stay away from the area of the ceremony and reception?</strong> Anyone else here doing/have done a park wedding? How did it turn out. Any advice is much appreciated!! Thanks!
Posted by SamanthaJean528[/QUOTE]

I don't think it will stop people from potentially gathering to watch or stare, but if you have them sectioned off, then people should know to not enter either of them.

sof0830

I agree with future Mrs. Dudley. People naturally gravitate to weddings, brides etc. We're having ours in our backyard and I anticipate that even the "far away neighbors" will pop by or whatever. Doesn't bother me in the least, but I understand your point too. Maybe a sectioned off area is the best way to go. OR go with the flow.

StefE1028

I agree with both. My fiance and I are having an outdoor wedding and that has often crossed my mind. We are getting married at the river landing in the middle of august, and i think it is going to be a gorgeous wedding. My fiance and I both think that if people see that there is a wedding going on that people will be respectful and walk around and parents will keep their children from disrupting the ceremony. And it is always a good idea to have part of the area in which is being used for the wedding closed off because then people will know that they wont be able to go in.

JulieJ11

Absolutely! I'm getting married in a public garden too. I've seen other ceremonies in public spaces and I've NEVER seen people disrupt a ceremony. I would plan to expect people to stop and stare, but generally people will keep screaming kids away. I'm not worried about anything disrupting the ceremony, and I'm not even sectioning off my area. I would choose an out of the way area or a place that is obviously for a function (like your gazebo).  Good luck!

cody+mandy2010

We are getting married in one of our local parks.  We have the shelter under which the ceremony will take place reserved and it is only costing us $60 to do so.  There is a sign on either side of it that says reserved so people know to stay out.  I'm only concerned with the fact that there are children's rides and a concession stand about 300 feet from the back of this place, but I think it will be okay I'm excited about it

kelcyn

Hi Ladies,

My fiance and I are also planning on having an outdoor wedding ceremony at a local park in Mississauga and I wanted to ask you all, what are your ideas for your backup plan in the event of inclement weather!? That is my biggest concern right now!

THANKS!

jsu4638n

I'm planning on getting married in Coolidge Park, TN. And though I wouldn't mind other people being in the area, the park requires you to rent out the whole place for a minimum of 3 hours. Which is actually pretty crazy expensive, about $900 if you start at 6pm. But it's an amazing spot, and I personally think that park weddings are some of the prettiest. As long as you can laugh the little stuff off, and make a conscious decision not to get upset if anything does happen, then I think it would be very cute, and fun.

kellyray2007

Its a great idea I am getting married in a public park to and holding my ceremony and reception there. I love it. congrats on picking your venue