HockingValley.com

Several wedding questions....TIA?

Small not far away outside wedding maybe. Interested in Put n Bay and Hocking Hills- Ohio. Im also in Ohio, Akron. I have a small family and then I also have two young kids. Not too many friends. So Im sure not too many people would be able/willing to travel to ethier place. Should I still invite? With an outside wedding - Is there a back up place/plan if theres really bad weather? Do we need to have a reception. It will be small, I would be happy even if its just family. Where would a small reception be? Do we need a wedding party? (but my kids would be flower girl/ring boy) With bridemaid/maid of honner - I do have a sister but I think Id rather a friend instead if I must. Is that ok. I dont want to hurt sister, When I was 16 she had me as a bridemaid when she married her ex and I think it was just so I was involved. So I dont know if I have to repay that back. With the ceramony being outside do we still get music?

Public Comments

1. You can do whatever you want.

   It would probably hurt your sister's feelings if she was not your bridesmaid--so either opt out or have two, I think. Don't think of it as "repayment."

   You can have music at the ceremony or not. Since you're not having a huge wedding, I think hiring someone to play the violin or cello would be quite beautiful if you wanted it.




2. Yes, invite them. Everyone likes to feel included and you want them to wish you well in your new life.

   Always have a back up plan. Do some research on that area.

   Have a small reception. No wedding party is needed. Use your kids!

   Yes, music!




3. For an outside wedding, pick a nice park with lovely scenery to get married in. Many city parks and recreation departments charge very little, sometimes nothing at all, for the park to be used for a wedding. Especially if it's a very small wedding, like yours will be. Try to pick a spot in the park with a nearby covered shelter, like a nice gazebo or something, in case of rain. Most parks allow music for the ceremony, but check with the guidelines of the parks and rec department because some of them don't allow recorded music played on a sound system (they want acoustic only, like a violinist or guitar player), or some of them have regulations about how loud it can be, but they will work with you in most cases.

   For the reception, since your party will be so small, why not just make a reservation at a nice restaurant? Most restaurants have special party rooms or banquet halls to make your reception more private. They all tend to let you bring in your own cake for a celebration, but some of them charge a fee for bringing in an outside cake, so check with the manager first.

   As for the bridal party, you technically don't need any bridesmaids, maid of honor, or flower girl at all, it could just be the two of you as long as you have two witnesses to sign the marriage certificate. Maybe that would be best in your situation to spare any hurt feelings if you pick one person over another. They'll all understand the lack of attendants if the wedding is as small as you say. Good luck!




4. In the Hocking Hills (so weird to see the name of something so close to me on here!), they have a beautiful lodge at Old Man's Cave that could be used for the ceremony (if you must be inside) and for the reception. I don't know their policies on outdoor weddings. It would be an absolutely beautiful setting.

   Good luck!