gazebos and churches and parks, Oh my

Have an optional location for outside weddings. (AP Photo/The Paris News, Sam Craft)

The music starts as you walk down the aisle, father at hand, groom in view. This is what it’s all about. Isn’t it? And choosing the venue for such an occasion requires perfection – or as close as you can get to it, at least.

Small towns offer lots of hometown-feel spots: small churches, lakefront park gazebos and historic, rentable homes. The site you choose may have sentimental value or just beautiful scenery. Either way, here are a few things to make the site special to you, according to WeddingSolutions.com and TheKnot.com.

Create a fan-shaped wedding program for hot summer weddings
Hang a love-story timeline of photos on close pins
Display photos of your parents and grandparents wedding photos
Create a scrap book of step-by-step wedding planning (bridal shower, dress shopping) and use the last two pages as the guestbook.
Have tiny baskets of flower petals made, and have any little girl attending your wedding be an impromptu flower girl.
Involve your pet by having him or her walk (or be carried) down the aisle