Nonreligious Places to Get Married

• Wedding locations are limited only by the couple's imagination. Rob Melnychuk/Stockbyte/Getty Images

  In 2010, couples enjoy a limitless selection of venues and themes for the perfect wedding. The traditional church and reception hall wedding is only one option, and ceremonies are not restricted to houses of worship. Contemporary weddings take place in an array of locations, including travel destinations, parks or gardens, zoos, and theme parks. Wedding styles range from beachside casual to fairytale elegant, depending upon the couple's tastes and preferences.

Destination Weddings

• Destination weddings are a current trend in 2010. The wedding party and guests travel to a far off location for the wedding and related events. These range from small, intimate affairs with just the bridal couple and a few select participants to large-scale reunions lasting several days. Popular choices for locations include Hawaii, the Caribbean, and Mexico. Many of the all-inclusive resorts in these locations offer wedding packages and planning to ensure a problem-free event.

Garden Weddings

• You can select flowers and attire to match the garden setting. wedding couple in public gardens image by Stephen Orsillo from Fotolia.com

  Public and private gardens and parks make facilities available for weddings. Some offer full-service event planning and catering, while others require minimal expense for rental and usage. Most garden weddings and receptions take place outdoors, making weather and season a serious consideration when selecting a venue. Check with your local garden club, city parks and recreation department, or local botanical gardens for information and options. Related locations include vineyards and estates for lavish events.

Beach and Water Weddings

• You can hold your wedding at sunset on the water. Beach Wedding image by Michael Wuelfrath from Fotolia.com

  Especially in coastal areas, beach weddings are an appealing option. The ceremony can take place at sunrise, sunset, or any time in between. Beach resorts offer numerous choices for where the ceremony occurs and for the level of catering and planning the couple requires. Beach weddings lend themselves to casual, outdoor events. Other similar options include having the ceremony on a dock overlooking a lake, river, or ocean; or, having the ceremony and reception aboard a boat or on a cruise.

Zoos and Aquariums

• Zoos and aquariums offer an unusual venue for a wedding geared to animal lovers. Many facilities offer packages and event planning. Packages typically include admission to the zoo or aquarium for each guest along with use of the facility and catering. Some offer private access to animal viewing areas for wedding guests during the reception; others provide opportunities for guests to interact with animals and animal handlers. These locations provide many nontraditional backdrops for photographs.

Theme Park Weddings

• Much like zoos and aquariums, theme parks offer specialty locations for wedding events. Many theme parks have special event planners who delight in helping put together fairy tale weddings. Theme park venues include ceremonies and receptions held at park hotels and resorts or within the theme park itself. Wedding sizes range from small, intimate ceremonies to large extravaganzas.