A-List Wedding Venues: Is a Winery Right for You?

This past weekend, Fergie and Josh Duhamel became the latest celebrity couple to tie the knot at a winery. Recently, it's become quite chic to say "I do" in a vineyard (just ask former Bachelor star Andrew Firestone who was married at his family's winery this past fall). So is it a good idea to commit to a winery as your wedding venue? We decided to demonstrate the pros and cons.

Pro: An outdoor venue means you can spend less on flowers Obviously, most brides and grooms are looking for ways to save money during this troubled economy, and a beautiful landscape like a winery makes it possible to cut back on floral arrangements. But, is it really worth it? Most likely, the answer is yes, specifically if you're planning on having your wedding at a vineyard in a temperate region like California's Napa Valley.

Con: You may end up spending more if your location is seasonal Of course, if you're an East Coast bride, you may discover that most wineries in the area are heavily booked from May through October (prime wedding, anniversary, and graduation months), making it difficult to find a venue on your specific date and your price range since there's so much competition.

Pro: You're guaranteed a discount on your wine purchase Most likely, you will be offered a discount on wine when you book at a vineyard venue. This discount may depend on which seasonal varieties are available at the time of your ceremony.

Con: That might be the only alcohol at your wedding Some wineries have very strict policies about letting you bring alcohol in that wasn't produced by them (meaning you could be stuck with just wine and no other alcoholic beverage on your big day). Another thing to take into consideration, is the fact that certain vineyards may require you to purchase a specific quantity of wine when you sign your venue contract.

Pro: The venue lends itself to a festive environment Having your wedding at a winery opens up the possibility of many fun learning experiences for your guests (like wine-tasting seminars, tours, and more). An afternoon ceremony is often ideal, given these are the prime operating hours of most wineries, so there will more activities available.

Con: Zoning laws might wreak havoc on your reception Keep in mind, a winery's primary business is sales, so they may not have a permit (depending on their location) to operate an event late into the evening. Before you book a vineyard, check to ensure that your reception won't be cut short by a some sort of annoying legality.