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Community Corner

Budget Minded Couples Choose Beautiful Parks for Weddings

Some weddings are as expensive as the down payment on a home. But there are alternatives for couples willing to choose their own path.

Two years ago my friend Nicole was going crazy trying to plan her wedding. Her goal was to keep the cost under $5,000. She did endless research on the web, asked everyone she knew for recommendations, visited several potential wedding locations, and broke out in some nasty blotches due to worry.

Then she found out that she was pregnant. Suddenly being married was more important to her than the ceremony. Nicole picked her favorite local park, told friends and family to meet there on Saturday at 2:00, and everyone was instructed to bring cameras and a potluck dish of their choice. Nicole bought an off-the-rack dress, a bouquet of flowers, and ordered a cake from the bakery department of a supermarket.

The wedding was beautiful; the atmosphere was serene.

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The average cost of a wedding is $25,000. For practical couples looking to hold down costs, choosing a Santa Clara County Park as a wedding venue can be a great starting point. Parks are amazingly diverse, offering locations that appeal to any aesthetic. Select a redwood grove, a mountaintop with views of the ocean, or an historic venue.

Santa Clara County Parks issue wedding permits for just $100. There’s an additional fee for reserving picnic areas for receptions. Those fees vary by size and location.

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Couples may choose to hire a caterer and a band for their reception, if they’re seeking something traditional. Or, like Nicole and her husband, they can keep it simple.

Venues may be booked a year in advance. The most popular sites book early, so make your reservation as soon as your select your date.

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