When Don and Talene Howe were planning their marriage last fall, the timing coincided with the Thanksgiving holiday, so the couple decided to embrace the season of family gatherings.
“This was a second marriage for both of us. We wanted it to be more of a family celebration, a Thanksgiving dinner, than observing all the wedding traditions,” says Talene. “We invited our friends coming to the wedding to bring their families since we knew people would have family in for Thanksgiving. We needed a big space.”
Trying to match a bride-to-be’s wedding vision with venue size or budget is an increasingly tricky prospect as more couples choose dinner-dances for their receptions. Although 80 percent of couples still exchange vows in a church, only 30 percent now hold their receptions there, according to theknot.com and other bridal industry websites.
More area wedding barns
› Fillauer Lake House: Fillauer Lake Road, Cleveland, TN 423-618-2398› Hidden Hollow Resort: 463 Hidden Hollow Lane, Chickamauga, Ga. 706-539-2372› Laurelwood: Signal Mountain, Tenn. 423-596-4866› Queen’s Chestnut Grove Farm: 1232 Nellie Head Road, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 423-902-8770› The Show Barn: Mountain Cove Farms, 994 Dougherty Gap Road, Chickamauga, Ga. 706-539-COVE
With the average cost of a wedding edging toward $30,000, couples are opting for casual party atmospheres, according to theknot. Since most churches do not allow dancing within their halls, the ceremony might take place in one location, the reception in another.