With all the wedding venue options made available for affianced couples planning their wedding, an outdoor ceremony and reception may not be to everyone’s taste. Especially as this type of wedding can be pretty complex and stressful with all the things you need to consider – the weather, a back-up plan in case something goes wrong, wildlife, accessibility, and the availability of a toilet. Nevertheless, there is a certain beauty in getting married outdoors that can never be achieved by having your wedding and reception held inside the grand ballroom of a hotel.
So if you have your heart set on saying your vows al fresco, not to worry! Here are some simple tips that you can follow in order to successfully pull off a great outdoor wedding.
1. Start with the documents.
This means getting those requirements from your outdoor venue of choice and determining what rules and permits you need to comply with before you actually start any sort of planning for your wedding. Getting married somewhere that you’ve set your heart on may be something that you really want to achieve, but there may be a lot more rules and regulations that require time for you to comply with before you’re even allowed to use the premises.
2. Mind the season.
While a winter wonderland theme – outdoors – may seem like a good idea on paper, consider the season and what it means for everyone to be outside during that time. Getting married with your nose red from the cold may not be something you’d like documented on your wedding photos or video, nor may your guests appreciate staying out in the cold without something to keep them warm. So mind the season you’ve set your wedding date on, and be sure to plan everything – the type of fabric for your dress, the food, decorations, etc – accordingly.
3. See to your guests’ comfort.
Making sure that your guests are comfortable should be a top priority. After all, they took time out of their busy lives in order to be there for you as you start a new chapter in life. Think of what you can do to ensure their comfort out in the open. Prepare welcome bags with all the stuff that your guests may have forgotten or overlooked to bring, such as bug spray, sunscreen, inexpensive sunglasses, etc. Ensure that bathrooms and toilets are within close proximity to the vicinity, or if they are not, have something arranged beforehand. Have refreshments at a ready as well in case the heat gets too much, especially in the summer.
4. Consider logistics.
Your wedding venue may be beautiful, but your guests may have a hard time locating it or getting transport to it. You’d want to have everyone important attend your wedding, as well as keep them sane and happy enough while they get there. A great way to do this, especially if your venue is in a remote location, is to hire a shuttle to pick guests up from point A and take them to point B, and vice versa. This not only lessens your guests’ worries, it also keeps them safe.
5. Have a back-up plan ready.
Mother Nature can be pretty unpredictable. While the weather forecast told of sunny weather all throughout the day on your wedding, you may find yourself rained in on the middle of the ceremony, just as you’re walking down the aisle. So prepare for emergencies – have a separate plan handy in case plan A doesn’t work out due to force majeure.
Getting married outdoors may be a tough process, but it definitely isn’t impossible. With the tips provided above, you’re well on your way to achieving that great outdoor wedding you’ve always wanted!
About the author: Melissa Page loves weddings and writes about them to her heart’s delight. She regularly contributes for Music for Scotland, a live music agency that features the Glasgow wedding band, Seattle. For more of her musings, follow her on Twitter @Melissapage90.
