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I can't reserve my ceremony site and its stressing me out!

JennaR2011JennaR2011 member
First Comment
in Ohio-Cleveland
Hi! This is my first post, I read them all the time, but have never written anything. I am getting married August 6, 2011 in a public park on the east side of Cleveland but we are not allowed to reserve the space. It is free, which is great, but I would rather pay a fee to know the space is mine for a few hours. The lady I talked to on the phone said it is first come first serve and that in the 20 years she's worked for the city she only knows of one occasion when two wedding parties showed up for ceremonies at the same time. One went first and the other waited 15 mins. or so. This kinda freaks me out, I don't want all my guests to arrive for my wedding and then have to wait for someone else's to finish up. Has anyone else had an outdoor ceremony in a public place that you couldn't reserve? How did it work out? I want to stop stressing about it and just gow/ the flow, but its hard!
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Re: I can't reserve my ceremony site and its stressing me out!

  • JKohioJKohio member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I don't have experience with this, but I'd trust someone with that kind of experience with the city. If it would make you feel better about things, can you scope out other parks right in the area (are you using one in the cultural gardens, by chance?) and have one or two in mind that could serve as possible back-up locations. IMO, even if your guests had to wait, garden/park ceremonies generally don't last that long. How many guests do you expect (roughly) and will you be needing to have chairs set up or something?
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  • dinseptdinsept
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    This would stress me out too!! And personally I would not chance it, but if you love this spot here is what you should do...make sure you have a plan...if you arrive and someone is there....have a refreshment table ready....make cute little non-alcoholic drinks (city park) Wink buy little water bottles from BJ's and put them in big cute pails on sale now at stores cause summer is over ....print little labels on them...it will look like it was all planned!! And either way your guests will love the refreshments!
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  • megjm.614megjm.614
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Yeah that would seriously stress me out too and I wouldn't chance it either but I'm just like really uptight about that stuff lol
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  • shooby7280shooby7280 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I know what you're going through.  I'm getting married June 18, 2011 and practically every place I've called doesn't have our date available.  I should have known this as June is a popular month to get married, but didn't think EVERY place would be booked.  Have you tried Sims Park in Euclid next to the Henn Mansion?  It's a nice location and I contacted the Henn Mansion, they only charge $60-65/hr to rent the Mansion, but it's a 4hr minimum.  You'd have the call the Euclid Parks & Recreation to use Sims Park.  Another option is the Lake area in WIckliffe off Lakeshore Blvd & E305.  A friend of mine had her outside wedding there and it was gorgeous, over looked the lake.  I think that is owned by the Metro Parks, at least the little Lodge there is, that you might have to contact the Wickliffe Recreation Department, or whatever their department name is.  Good Luck!
    Michelle L Russman
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  • dgarofalo08dgarofalo08
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I can imagine this would really stress me out as well!! I am big on planning and details!! Can you have someone that you trust go early and set up chairs so the spot at least looks reserved?? I also like the idea of having the refreshment table in case you do have to wait.
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  • JennaR2011JennaR2011 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Thanks for all the suggestions. I am going to have my mom's best friend go to the ceremony site early to set up 10-12 chairs, tell the musician where to play, and just make sure it looks nice (no geese poop and whatnot). Besides that I think we are winging it.Undecided
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  • amosher20amosher20
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    That would stress me out too. If you are looking on the east side of cleveland, maybe look into Swine Creek Reservation. I know, its all the way over in middlefield (35-40 minutes from Mayfeild) but its a huge state park and allows you to BOOK your event.

     Oh, but having people go there early to set up sounds like a very good idea!
    Good luck!
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