A small town Texas girl and a Kansas City boy met in chemistry class freshman year at K-State and it was love at first sight. By senior year, they were engaged and ready to start their lives together. The wedding plans began and so did the arguing. His family was in Kansas City, and it would be hard for them to travel. Her parents were in Texas and the rest of her family was all over the country. What do two K-State students do? Marry in Manhattan!

While most students see the college side of town, a lot goes on just as in any other city in the U.S. There are several options for two K-State students ready to "take the plunge," "tie the knot," or "get hitched," when it comes to ceremony and reception sites.

It may seem like an overwhelming task, but any future Mr. and Mrs. might find the first place they met, a favorite picnic spot or a frequented campus garden could hold the most value for their big day. Ceremony sites are often easy to find; a church of the couple's chosen denomination often proves a wonderful indoor ceremony site, as well as a few local hotels like the Holiday Inn that can double as a reception site if desired.

If a church wedding isn't for you, Manhattan hosts dozens of outdoor ceremonies each year. Some of the most frequented outdoor spots to say "I do" are the City Park Rose Garden off 11th and Poyntz Ave. and the University Gardens on campus off Denison (football player Jordy Nelson exchanged vows there). The garden setting can be transformed into a casual summer wedding spot but also adapts to the formal ceremony; just make sure you consider how many guests will be attending as these sites probably won't fit your fiancé's 150 guests.

Some areas of Tuttle Creek Lake State Park might make a nice setting for the more adventurous couple, and possibly lower on the wedding planner's radar, Sunset Zoo can host your wedding day as well.

Many ceremony sites can double as the reception venue, but local photographer Luke Townsend said, "Most couples have their ceremony and reception at different locations."

You may want more of the party atmosphere for the reception or just need more space. Either way, there are a few reception sites in Manhattan that stir up a fair amount of business, said Townsend.

If you've ever driven down Poyntz Ave. on a Sunday morning, you've probably noticed the Wareham Opera House's sign congratulating the newest newlyweds in town. The theater feel, large dance floor and bar draw couples to this venue according to wedding planning Web site, WeddingMapper.com. There are several places for guests to mingle outside the main theater area.

According to TheKnot.com, this venue sees the most receptions in Manhattan.

(On a side note: these sites are virtual, free wedding planning sites that can keep track of your individual planning as well as provide free advice and allow you to connect with vendors and other couples planning a wedding in your area. It's also a great place to get the real deal on many florists, disc jockeys, caterers and venues.)

If you need space for a lot of people, especially if you're planning a served dinner, the KSU Alumni Center might be worth checking out.

"[The Alumni Center] has had 23 wedding events since January," said Lauren Morano, Alumni Center event manager. Many of the center's spaces can easily fit over 200 guests.

Out of the 23 weddings, Morano said only three of them included the actual ceremony. The Alumni Center does not book weddings in April and events in September and November must be booked at least six months out, but Morano does recommend scheduling your date at least a year in advance.

If a more open indoor space that can lend itself to a banquet hall feel, while still allowing for a more formal reception, might better suit your needs, there's a lesser known spot off 5th and Houston. The Houston Street Ballroom can hold up to 500 guests, provides tables and chairs and the décor can blend in with as much or as little decorating as the couple pleases, according to the ballroom's Web site, HoustonStreetBallroom.com.

Simply get creative and keep an open mind to that favorite college hang out or the first place you met. Many couples may be surprised by how they can transform several Manhattan spots into their dream wedding location. If you're just getting started, here are a few tips for picking any wedding venue:

First, decide on a ballpark figure for the number of guests you plan to invite. This alone will help narrow down your choices. Even if a location can hold double the number of people you plan to invite, think about the space and make sure it won't end up looking empty.

Second, find out what's included in the price. On average, a venue costs $2,000-$3,000 and some venues might include much more like set-up and tear-down, limited bar services, a DJ and even food, but others might just give you their base price without any extra features. If you're working with a smaller budget, try getting married on Friday and/or during the "wedding off-season." This can cut your venue budget in half in many cases and you'll still get the perks that come with the price, so be sure to ask about this at locations you might be interested in.

Check the venues' policies for catering and liquor service. You might be surprised to find that many places - not just in Manhattan - require you to use their catering and bar service and some places require a security guard to be hired if alcohol is being served to more than 100 people.

Don't let the minor details ruin your perception of what you thought might have been the perfect venue. Write out the pros and cons of each once you have a few places narrowed down and go with your gut - you only get married once (theoretically).

By Elena Buckner Kansas State Collegian

Everyone wants to perfectly preserve their special day and many couples choose to hire a professional photographer to capture all the perfect moments of their wedding. However, there are many important details attached to choosing the right photographer and making sure they snap all the right picture-perfect moments.