12 THE QUEENS COURIER • BRIDAL • JANUARY 19, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
bridal
Hosting nuptials in national parks
BY SHARON NAYLOR
Weddings that take place in national
parks enjoy spectacular views and
nature’s glory as a backdrop for the ceremony
and celebration. It’s not unusual
for a wedding photo to feature a rainbow
arching over a scenic mountain range,
or an eagle fl ying above the ceremony.
You’ll also fi nd national parks on tropical
islands, such as the Virgin Islands
National Park on St. John in the U.S.
Virgin Islands for your beach dream
wedding come true. Explore the wealth of
national parks in the U.S. at the National
Park Service website.
“Keep in mind that a wedding held in
a National Park will oft en require adherence
to the National Park’s list of regulations,”
says Patti Golden, sales manager
for weddings and events held on Ellis
Island and Liberty Island. “For instance,
the Park Service will need to approve of
many wedding decor plans, your wedding’s
hours will be determined by the
Park Service, and there is a fee for a wedding
permit.” Because the National Park
Service maintains the safety and integrity
of the park itself, they’re very careful
to control what goes on in the park, and
how the park space is used.
Here are some considerations for your
wedding in a national park:
--Permits. You may have to apply for
a permit to have your wedding ceremony
and reception held on the grounds
of a national park. While some permits
are pricier than others, the key is knowing
when to apply. Some national parks
require more than a year of advance
notice, and some have a much smaller
window of application time.
--Fees. Explore the range of fees for
weddings in national parks. Some parks
charge a fee just for use of the site, and
others charge a fee for use of the site and
permission to serve alcohol at your wedding.
You don’t want to make the mistake
of booking just the site and forgetting
about the permit for alcohol, if you
wish to serve libations at your wedding.
--Catering and concessions. Many
national parks require you to hire from
their list of approved wedding vendors,
and may require permission to allow
any outside vendors to participate in
your wedding. It’s important to do your
research before you put down a nonrefundable
deposit with a vendor. You
could lose that deposit and have to pay to
book another vendor, or you could have
a wedding day disaster when your caterer
can’t access your wedding. Some national
parks have hotels and resorts on their
grounds that may be ideal for your wedding
or reception.
--Privacy. You’ll want
a secluded space in the
park that provides privacy
for your wedding
and deters strangers
from wandering in and
helping themselves to
your bar. Talk to the
national park offi ce for
suggestions of ideal private
spots.
--Decor rules. Again,
the job of the National
Park Service is to preserve
the natural landscape,
so you may fi nd
that you’ll be unable
to stake a tent into the
ground, or secure lights
from trees. Th e rules
may seem extreme, but
the park service holds
them sacrosanct to protect
the natural area.
“A professional wedding
planner is key to
understanding the rules
of the National Park
Service, and working to
fi nd a viable solution,”
says Golden.
--Safety. Signage,
restricting guests from
wandering down trails or venturing into
unsafe areas, is important to be sure that
no guests get lost or injured during your
event.
--Food service rules. Park rangers
know that food attracts wild animals, so
you may be instructed to keep all food
supplies in sealed containers to avoid
unwanted visits from wildlife. Your team
will also need to clean your site thoroughly,
disposing of any food, drinks and
other temptations or dangers to animals,
your guests and other park visitors.
--Restrooms. Check to be sure your
national park area has quality restrooms,
or that you can bring in high-end porta
potties.
--Guest transportation. It’s a good
decision to pick up the cost of your
guests’ park passes to access the park
for your wedding. However, many couples
fi nd it more budget-friendly to bus
in their guests, paying for the one pass
required for the bus or shuttle.
--Weather protection. An open-air wedding
may be your dream, but without the
ability to stake tents, consider having your
ceremony out in the park and your reception
at a venue with indoor facilities. Again,
many national parks have hotels and buildings
where weddings may be held.
In short, seek permission before you
book or buy anything for your wedding,
so that you know all of the national park’s
rules and can enjoy your big day while
keeping the natural surroundings beautiful
and safe.
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