Where will you marry? John and Yoko Lennon chose the Rock of Gibraltar. Others of their generation chose a large bathtub (a "double ring" ceremony?). Still others are perfectly content with "get me to the church on time" or perhaps a banquet facility, legion hall or full service hotel.

Whatever location you choose, be sure you understand all of what's involved in staging a wedding celebration there. Whether you will use your chosen location for the ceremony, reception or both, you will need to make a hard-nosed, no-nonsense determination whether it is suitable for anything other than a pretty postcard. As you evaluate different sites, the following guidelines will help you to choose the location that's best for you.

That quaint, beautiful church on the outskirts of town is more than just a pretty building. Thus, it makes sense that getting permission to marry there will involve more than just paying a fee and making a reservation. Obviously, if you, your spouse or either of your families are members, that makes it much easier. If not, be willing to talk to the church's pastor about spiritual aspects of your decision to marry and prepare yourself for the realization that all churches don't think alike. Unfortunately, there are some where you will not be welcome. Meanwhile, make sure you understand and follow all rules completely. For example, some churches don't want you bringing in flowers and other decorations of your own, don't want you to use supplemental lighting, or may not want you to make a video. In these instances, they're not trying to be difficult. Instead, they're just trying to be "good stewards" of what they consider to be God's house. If the pastor who will marry you is not the church's regular pastor, your best plan is to let the two pastors talk it out themselves. This is also the best idea if you and your spouse want to do an interfaith ceremony, with both of your respective pastors participating.

Ye olde historic house where George Washington once slept may look magnificent from the street, but may be entirely unsuitable for your wedding. For openers, many historic houses have a long list of rules -- none of this, none of that, can't go here, can't go there, etc. -- along with a short (and expensive!) list of caterers you may use, times the house is available, and so on. Since historic houses are often chopped up into several little rooms, housing your entire group of guests for a full-scale sit-down dinner is frequently impossible. Of course, other dining options, such as buffets, "stations," butlered hors d'oeuvres and Viennese tables can work, but then someone will have to assuage your disgruntled older relatives who keep asking "Where's my seat?" and "When will you serve dinner?" If you want to use an historic site, be sure to locate a staff coordinator you can reason with, learn exactly what the rules are and then follow them to the letter.