It's cute till you realize he has to get all the guests to the wedding in the basket too.
When you first get engaged, you'll probably start daydreaming about all sorts of out-there wedding venues: a remote field of daisies, your childhood summer camp. But an unconventional wedding venue isn't in the cards for most brides and grooms, simply because the cost is SO prohibitive. Think about it: EVERYTHING you need for even a simple wedding in an empty loft space or your parents' backyard—every chair, every table, every fork, every glass, every napkin, possibly every toilet—needs to be brought in from various rental companies. And the cost of all those rentals adds up quickly. Plus, if you consider the various licenses and permits you'll need to obtain to host a huge party (assuming you're having more than, say, 20 wedding guests), well, it's easy to see why most brides and grooms go the traditional route when it comes to a wedding venue.
In short, if you want to save money—and avoid a lot of extra planning logistics—your best money-saving option is usually a facility that hosts weddings or other large events. Look for one that includes dishes and cutlery, tables and linens, chair options, even vases in the site fee, so you don't have bring in any rental "extras."
Another easy way to save: Ask potential wedding venues if they'll reduce their site fee if you opt for an off-season wedding date. Maybe you weren't dreaming of a February wedding in the Northeast {Brrrrr! }, but winter weddings can be magical, IMO, and they're often cheaper because wedding vendors are less in demand up North during the cold months.
Would you get married at a traditional wedding facility? Or do you want something more original? And would you get married in the off season to save $$$?