Suggestions for a fun/cool place to get married?

[OneGrassRoot]

We're mid-40s, not the first marriage for either of us, currently living in North Carolina but both are Yankees originally.

The timeframe is most likely any time between February and May. We don't have a need to have family or friends around - the place is the focus.

I've never been to Vegas, so a quickie Vegas wedding sounds appealing to me.

Neither of us has ever been to the Outer Banks, so that sounds cool, too.

I've always fantasized about going to the island where "Somewhere in Time" was filmed...MacKinac Island. That would probably be too pricey (finances are an issue).

Anything south of North Carolina is out of the question due to previous events. x( ALTHOUGH, New Orleans may be cool?

Just rambling and trying to think of something positive as I sit in bed, miserably sick with the crud, alone for the holidays (my SO's father passed away last week and he is staying there for a while). I should be working and getting something DONE, but here I sit/lay and await delightful suggestions from some brilliant DUers.

:)

[underpants]

1. I wouldn't think that OBX would be all that "fun" for a wedding

mostly since you just get a house and stop up on food and cook and eat and that about it for OBX :shrug:


Don't rule out Charleston SC by the way-we went there on our honeymoon and had a blast

Key West is really really fun especially if you like drinking. "The Artist's House" is HIGHLY recommended.

Vegas would be cool. You can get little people for the ceremony too!!!

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Charleston is out due to his ex-wife....long story

but I agree, it would have been a very cool place.

Since we've never been to the Outer Banks it just looks so pretty, though I hear what you're saying about there not being anything to do. Key West would be great fun though! Never been there either, so that's a thought. I'll Google The Artist's House. :)

little people....love it!!!

[China_cat]

9. That's a shame

because Charlestowne Landing has this beautiful little wedding area in the midst of a formal garden.

[tigereye]

16. oh, Ocracoke... (the island off the Outer Banks)

you have to take the ferry there (well, I assume you still do), but it is so beautiful!

if I had it to do over, I would have loved to be married on a beach, or on a boat of some sort.

But a rose garden isn't bad (where I did get married!)

[electricmonk]

39. I've photographed two weddings there

One was at the Elizabethan Gardens and one was at a hunting lodge on the mainland overlooking the sound. The hunting lodge one was outside in early March and it was blowing snow and not that much fun, well the reception was but the ceremony not so much. The other one was in early July so the traffic getting to the Gardens was a pain but everything else about it was really nice.

[MrScorpio]

2. Virginia

It's for lovers

[OneGrassRoot]

6. 'Tis true....

but, alas, due to the same ex-wife, so many locales are out of the question. Including Virginia. I'd rather not get married anywhere her energetic imprint has been. LOL. She was a bad, bad seed that we both prefer to never think of again.

[taterguy]

4. I went to a very nice wedding in the mountains of SC just across the NC border

Here's a link to info and photos

http://www.campgreenville.org/chapel.htm

http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/551738700DuuKWZ

[OneGrassRoot]

5. my goodness, that is STUNNING!!

Thanks for sharing.

I was just researching something in the Asheville area (lived in NC for 17 years and have only driven through). We've both been wanting to take a train ride through the Western NC mountains. Maybe combining these things would be a memorable event.

Standing in the location of your pics would be inspiring indeed.

[taterguy]

8. The reception was in Brevard NC

One nice thing about SC is that it's very easy to get a license there, or at least it was when my friends got married back in 1994

[AllegroRondo]

7. My wife and I eloped at Disney World

It was a lot of fun.

Macinac is very nice, and you dont have to spend a ton to go there. There are many hotels and B&Bs on the island besides the Grand (where the movie was filmed).

[AllegroRondo]

10. If you do go to Macinac, I suggest the first weekend in June

its the annual Lilac Festival. The island has several dozen varieties of lilacs, all in bloom at that time. And its not too overrun with tourists yet, as schools dont get out until mid-June up there.

[OneGrassRoot]

24. Thanks...that's good to know. Also good to know it's not horribly...

expensive.

:hi:

[RainDog]

11. The Muir Woods

that's the most awe-inspiring place I've ever been. a primordial redwood forest. also near CA wine country. there are some nice stores along the roads where you can get baquettes, etc. for a picnic with local wine.

[tigereye]

17. can people be married there?

wow. What a beautiful place for a wedding....

[RainDog]

29. with a permit, it seems

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muir_Woods_National_Monument

but no picnics, etc. -- Mt. Tamalpais is close by.

[OneGrassRoot]

23. the CA wine country certainly came to mind as one of my favorite ...

places. As is New England.

I've never heard of Muir Woods. I shall check it out!

Thanks!

[Ms_Dem_Meanor]

12. Have either of you been to the Poconos?

They have a lot of fun things there. I know several people that have gone there for romantic getaways and honeymoons. I am planning a birthday/romantic getaway with my SO in February. Check out this link:

www.caesarspoconoresorts.com

You might find something that you like. They have all-inclusive packages. That may help out as far as finances goes. (I'm on that boat with you). I hope that this helps in your decision making.

:)

[OneGrassRoot]

21. Hey....that is a great idea!

I'm from Pittsburgh (I'm getting to the post below that simply says "pittsburgh"...lol) and I've never spent time in the Poconos.

Wow....that is a GREAT idea! Thanks! :hi:

[Ms_Dem_Meanor]

31. You are very much welcome.

I live in Wilmington, DE and have never been there myself. The funny thing is, when I was in school they always had ski trips to the Poconos. :)

[OneGrassRoot]

32. You're not terribly far from New Hope, PA, are you?

That's another little spot of heaven, in my opinion. I haven't been in 15 years or so but I absolutely fell in love with it. Wonder how far that is from the Poconos?

Time to Google some more...lol

Thanks again. :pals:

[Ms_Dem_Meanor]

34. About an hour away.

Depending on the driver and traffic conditions.

:hug:

And again you are welcome.

[LibraLiz1973]

36. New Hope is the shit. I LOVE IT

My friend got married at the Hollyhedge Estate in New Hope.
It was a beautiful wedding & also had the best food of any wedding I've ever been to.
http://www.hollyhedge.com/1HollyHedge/weddings.html

[JVS]

13. Pittsburgh

[tigereye]

18. hey, did you have a good Christmas?

there are nice places to be married here- Mt. Washington, or on the incline....

[JVS]

20. yeah pretty good considering I had to pick up my brother and his wife at the airport last night

But by 9 we were all doing our thing. How about you?

[tigereye]

25. big X-mas eve dinner with the family and great food

lasagna, chicken/red pepper curry, cake, home made biscotti and nut rolls...

then laying around eating and watching movies. It was really nice.

my son was in full Steeler regalia - he has too many Steeler pieces of clothing!

[OneGrassRoot]

26. Yep. I was raised there, so I certainly considered the 'burgh.

I still have family there though haven't lived there in 20 years. It's definitely on the list if we involve other people. ;-)

Go Steelers!!!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. Vegas isn't all that cool ...

but it is quick, easy, expedient, reasonable price.

[edbermac]

15. Intercourse, Pennsylvania

Q: Where did you get married?
A: Intercourse.

And just watch the questioner's eyes glaze over. Lots of Amish there too. I hear they're a laugh-a-minute bunch of people.

[OneGrassRoot]

22. That would fit us both perfectly....lol....

we'd milk that for the rest of our lives. lol. Not sure the Amish could handle my SO though. Oy....just the thought of it....lol

[KittyWampus]

19. local museum? I've fantasized about the Cloisters in NYC

[OneGrassRoot]

27. Wow...that's would be neat, huh? My daughter is in NYC now...

just arrived about two hours ago. It's been her dream for years (she's only 14 but has a strong interest in musical theater) and her dad finally cashed in his frequent flier miles and took her. I'm so happy for her but already miss her terribly.

Sorry...got off track there...

Maybe she can check out the Cloisters while there.

[Whoa_Nelly]

28. Some sites for more ideas

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

http://www.dgreetings.com/wedding/cheap-wedding-destination.html

http://www.barefootweddings.net/

And, don't forget Lake Tahoe!
http://www.brides.com/local/california/travel_partners/destination_weddings_1993/results/501060692?start=7

[OneGrassRoot]

30. Thank you!!! Much appreciated. :) n/t

[knitter4democracy]

33. A couple places in Michigan:

Ludington has a great historical village that has a little chapel overlooking Lake Michigan that you can rent for weddings. They also rent out the soda shop for receptions.

Greenfield Village by Detroit has a great church for weddings, and they even have a gorgeous horse-drawn carriage for the couple for afterwards.

If you want to wait for summer, there's always Mackinac Island. :) The Grand Hotel is amazing and perfect for a honeymoon. Same price as Hawai'i or a cruise, but you get more, and it's just lovely.

[OneGrassRoot]

38. Thank you! (I like your sig line. :) ) n/t

[Bennyboy]

35. JazzFest in NOLA!!!!!

Pick out yer favorite act and get married while they are playing!!!

[OneGrassRoot]

37. Sweet!!!

I've been longing to go to NOLA...the crowds may drive him crazy (unless he gets drunk as shit, which I actually don't prefer), so it's a toss-up between something relaxing and serene like the beach or a rip-roaring time like NOLA which could be a blast or go horribly, horribly wrong....lol

[Bennyboy]

40. The Real beauty of Jazzfest....

is that the crowd thing in NOLA is kind of minimal. The Fest tiself is pretty loose for that many people, and in the back of ech stage is a huge PARTY! lot so space and lots of respect.

And The Bourbon Street thing is not even in play at night cuz there is so much going o0n elsewhere. I ahve been to Fest many times and only once have I even walked on Bourbon Street at night. I like Tips Uptown, The Riverboat,The Rock and Bowl,Frenchman Street area etc.

[SoxFan]

41. New Orleans

That's where we were married in 1995. Mrs. BlueDog's family is from there. It's a fascinating town, there are a lot of beautiful places to hold the ceremony, and world-class food is surprisingly reasonable.

My only advice would be to avoid it between June 1 and November 1. The heat and humidity is ferocious, and it will take a toll on you if you aren't used to the climate. My family members who came down from Mass, NH and Ireland clearly did not know what hit them. My wife's family, made up of folks from Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi, managed fine.

[OneGrassRoot]

43. That's two votes for NOLA! (thanks!) n/t

[Turbineguy]

42. Cruise?

Every Captain I know always loved doing weddings.

[OneGrassRoot]

44. The thought never occurred to me.

To have it done by the captain on a cruise. Hmmm....another very, very interesting option to ponder.

See, that's why I come to DU for nearly everything.

Thank you so much! :hi: