| Outdoor Weddings
Your big day could be a walk in park By Michael Watkins Wedding dress: $500 “Omaha has some beautiful parks with fantastic pavilions, but they book quickly and the weather is always unpredictable,” said Patty Dostal of the Omaha Parks and Recreation Department. Her advice: Reserve space early and be prepared for the unexpected, especially during the spring. Ceremonies are booked in two-hour time slots beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m. The cost is $75 per two-hour period. About 26 open-air shelters are available in parks throughout the city. Shelters can be reserved at Elmwood Park, Lake Zorinsky, Mandan Park, N.P. Dodge Park and Miller’s Landing. Pavilions are located at Fontenelle Park, Benson Park, Elmwood Park, Brown Park, Levi Carter Park, N.P. Dodge Park, Hanscom Park and Miller Park. Most are equipped with heating and air conditioning, kitchen and restrooms. Rental prices range from $100 for two hours to $360 for eight hours, depending on the park and the pavilion. “We have about 200 weddings per year in Omaha’s public parks,” said Dostal. “April is the first month available, although there is still a chance of frost and the water may not be on in the park.” Another outdoor option: A back-yard or streetside ceremony. Getting the city’s permission to block off a street is simple and free. Simply call the city traffic department at 444-4978 and fill out a form. “We don’t get many requests for block party weddings,” said Mike Gaughen, a traffic engineering technician. “Still, they are easy to schedule as long as the bride and groom complete the right paperwork.” Reserve your spot Omaha city park shelters must be reserved two weeks in advance. Call 444-5920 for pricing information and reservation confirmation. To reserve a park pavilion in Omaha, call 444-5955. For more information, visit www.ci.omaha.ne.us/parks. |