Increasingly today's couples are choosing a ceremony location that also serves as a reception site. This is especially evident with the more unique theme sites such as the Queen Mary, or traveling to Memphis to tie the knot where the King, Elvis Presley, lived at Graceland. Locations reflect your personality and wedding tone. Consider what aspects of a location will make it memorable for you and your guests. Will it harmonize and enhance the theme of your wedding? Does it involve travel? Does it take place in a foreign location, or do you prefer a more practical setting closer to home? And, most important, is it affordable?
If you're considering something unique, but would like to stay more localized, there are many options for us in Southern California. One of my favorites is an actual studio sound stage or on the set of your favorite TV show. You can find these locations through Universal Studios and www.amazinglocations.com in Los Angeles. Another idea for movie buffs is the previous home of the Academy Awards, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. For the young-at-heart, amusement parks are a perfect setting. Disneyland can even provide a cast of characters as part of your ceremony and Knott's Berry farm offers a 100-year-old chapel that creates an old California Western theme.

Thinking outside California? There are many ideas to choose such as the Mall of America, in Minneapolis. I recently visited there and learned it's the largest American Mall and boasts over 2000 weddings. A wedding and then SHOPPING… just imagine. For Elvis fans, I also found after visiting Graceland in Memphis, that weddings are done in the Graceland Chapel. After the ceremony, guests can enjoy a private evening tour of the Graceland Mansion, which proves you can have your cake and Elvis too! On my travels to New York, I had the opportunity to visit the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building where weddings are performed. The regular observation viewing deck is at the 80th floor, so you and your guests get to venture up an additional 20 floors… a real wedding in the clouds to create your own version of "Sleepless in Seattle" or "An Affair to Remember". If you really want to travel for your wedding, how about going abroad? I choose to get married in a romantic castle in Scotland, complete with traditional bagpipers and Kilt. Shaken, but not stirred Bond enthusiasts can live out a fantasy and tie the knot at the 007 Bond Street Pub in England.

Okay, so most of you probably will stay local, but keep in mind your options and the importance of location. It's the footprint for your overall theme. I hope I sparked your enthusiasm to take you in a direction you've never before considered. Visit my website at www.magicwandweddings.com /locations.html where you'll find a list of traditional Southern California wedding venues. Additionally, I've also compiled a more creative location list for the more enthusiastic Hound Doggin', Martini Shaken, Disney Dreamin', Ocean Breezen, European Trekkin and TV Watchin' couples-to-be. And in the indelible words of the King of Rock, Thank you, thank you very much.