The logistics of planning a wedding can be complicated.

A recent article in the Star Tribune described a move away from traditional weddings with the idea of trying to reduce stress. You can view the entire article, “Weddings a Less Religious Affair”.

The article says that there has been a shift from ceremonies in religious institutions to venues that can host the ceremony and reception in one location. I have experienced this shift as well. Upon reviewing the weddings I have been playing for and will be playing for this year, about 70% of my weddings are at venues that host everything on site from start to finish. It makes it easy for the guests to be able stay in one location throughout the evening often with overnight accommodations.

All in one location venues can offer unique settings.

Here is a recent example. One of my wedding couples held their celebration at The Millennium Hotel on the south end of the Nicollet Mall. The Glass Dome and Ballrooms on the top floor of the hotel offered stunning views of Downtown and the city. The guests moved seamlessly from the Ceremony in the Glass Dome, to the Ballroom for Cocktails, to Dinner in another Ballroom, and back to the Glass Dome for Dancing under the stars!

Even though the hotel did not have a piano in the Glass Dome, this was not a problem for live ceremony music. There was a perfect location for me to set up my portable piano and amplification.

The benefit of one location for this wedding couple was that the hotel staff were able to coordinate the timing of moving guests from area to area as well as planning the timing of the dinner. A number of guests had traveled from abroad with some being their first time in the USA. They appreciated staying in one location. The wedding details ran especially smoothly due to Dana from Keyed Up Events. Dana worked with the hotel staff and the vendors on streamlining all of the wedding logistics. Even though the ceremony was not held in a religious institution, their bishop was able to bless their ceremony with his beautiful presentation.

Although there is a shift away from weddings in a religious venue, a wedding in one’s house of worship can be a beautiful way for couples to be married in a setting that reflects their religious values.