The Mall of America has an aquarium, an amusement park-- and even a wedding chapel! Here's why some couples choose to get married at the mall.

Getting married in a mall? Really? Well, as a matter of fact, almost 5000 couples have gotten married at the Chapel of Love, located at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. This elegant chapel can host up to 70 guests, and there's an adjacent bridal boutique where you can purchase everything from gowns to invitations to cake toppers.

But why? Why would a couple choose to get married in a mall? While it's certain not a traditional venue, there are quite a few advantages to getting married at the Chapel of Love. Here's some of the reasons why a couple might choose to tie the knot at the Mall of America.

Convenience. Planning a wedding can be a nightmare, but at the Chapel of Love, it's pretty much one-stop shopping! You can purchase everything you need in the boutique, and the wedding coordinators can take care of flowers, photography, music, and the wedding officiant. To make things even easier, the Chapel of Love now offers a "wedding plus reception" option in a private ballroom at the mall. Some couples just don't want to deal with the endless planning, and they don't have to if they get married at the mall.

Cost. With the average price of a U.S. wedding topping topping $20,000, a wedding at the Chapel of Love is a bargain. Depending on the package you choose and the day you get married, ceremonies range from $249 to $649. Floral packages range from $79.95 to $299.95, and the most expensive photography package is $699. Gowns in the boutique average around $300. The wedding plus reception package is $1800 plus a minimum food and beverage charge of $2500.

Availability. Popular wedding venues have to be booked months or even years in advance. Not at the Chapel of Love. Although desirable times can book up quickly, the majority of the couples who marry at the Chapel of Love get married less than a month after they book their reservations!

Convenient for guests. The Mall of America is located at the center of the Twin Cities metro area and is less than 10 minutes from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. There are dozens of convenient hotels near the Mall of America. The mall is a transit hub, so if your guests are staying nearby, they can easily hop a bus or light rail transit to downtown Minneapolis or St. Paul. Out of town guests won't need a car.

Fun. The Mall isn't everybody's idea of fun (here's what the locals have to say about the MOA), but there's so much to do that you're bound to please your guests! There are mall attractions such as an amusement park and an aquarium, restaurants and eateries of all kinds, and, of course, lots of shopping. If you're having lots of kids to your wedding, the Mall of America is certainly a kid-friendly choice.

The kitsch factor. Of course, some people get married at the Chapel of Love for the same reason people get married in Vegas. It's a little bit kooky and will always be a great conversation piece. You'll have to bring your own Elvis impersonators, of course, but you might be able to get the giant frog mascot from the Rainforest Cafe to stop by.

For more information about getting married at the Chapel of Love, call 952-854-4656 or 1-800-299-LOVE.

See also:

Twin Cities Indoor Wedding Venues

Twin Cities Outdoor Wedding Venues