Thank you to our Guest Contributor Emma Williams for the wonderful article!
An outdoor wedding is what many brides and grooms are dreaming of. We have all seen stunning photos in which the newly-weds share their first kiss on the beach, in the green field or a vineyard. And we would like to have a similar experience, having a great party out in the open with our loved ones.
However, an outdoor wedding requires careful planning and a thorough organization. Nevertheless, the benefits will outnumber the disadvantages.
Benefits of an outdoor wedding
Save your money…
In case you have a backyard wedding or at any outdoor venue where you don’t need to specifically pay for the hire, you’ll automatically save money. No security deposits, no per-person fees, and other hidden charges.
Pets allowed…
Outdoor weddings allow you and your guests to have your furry friend with you on your special day.
All dates available…
Having complete freedom when it comes to choosing the wedding date is a huge relief. No stress about whether you’ll manage to get the venue and the bend you want on the same date. Outdoor venues are more or less free most of the year.
Short guest list…
If you always wanted an intimate wedding, this is your chance to make it come true. Outdoor weddings usually include a smaller number of guests, especially if they are in the backyard.
Sentimental value…
If it’s your backyard, where you used to play as a child, the place where you say “yes”, well, it has a huge sentimental value to everybody. Whether it’s the beach where you used to go with your parents or the vineyard where you and your darling love to come – it brings strong symbolism.
Magical location…
The location is a huge part of the magic, so choose it wisely. If you want the beach, then make sure you checked all the necessary paperwork needed for conducting a beach wedding. There will probably be great restaurants nearby, so take a look around and find the one that will best suit your guests.
Wineries are also a great choice due to private spaces many of them offer and the rolling hills covered with vineyards surrounding you. Just remember that a summer wedding in the vineyard can get really hot.
The backyard wedding is the simplest one to organize and the one that brings the most memories but you’ll still have to pay for rentals, a dance floor, portable restrooms and maybe even a tent.
Focal point…
You should keep in mind that, no matter what the venue is, your guests will still naturally congregate at a certain spot. You should beat them to it and prepare a focal point for them. Whether it’s the kitchen or the lounge bar, the important thing is that guests don’t feel lost and spread all over the place. In case of a huge outdoor venue, break it into several intimate lounge areas.
The question of power…
The food preparation, the lighting, the sound system – all of these needs electrical power and a lot more of it than a usual household. Don’t risk an outage in the neighborhood or blow a fuse – rent generators to make up for the extra electricity. First, consult with the caterer and the DJ about the amount of power they’ll need and then ask for help from the generator rental company and your wedding planner.
Restrooms…
If your guest list is longer than 20 guests, you will need additional restroom facilities. Portable toilet trailers can be really fancy, with mirrors, sinks, and lighting. You can even add personal details like breath fresheners, amenities kit, cotton balls, and Band-Aids. It will provide additional comfort to your guests.
Lighting atmosphere…
The right lights add to the romantic atmosphere, so think about chandeliers, twinkling lights, paper lanterns or even pinspot lights for the dance floor. Light up every walkway with luminaries or mason jars on the edge of the path or hanging in trees.
It would also be a good idea to hire an electrician before the wedding so that he makes sure the power you’ll provide will suffice. You don’t want your guests to experience a blackout at some point in the evening.
Mind the insects…
Many outdoor venues bring this annoying issue. You need to protect the desert stations and the buffet with covers. Consider using citronella candles to deter insects. Place them all around the venue. In case the venue is in a humid area where mosquitos could easily appear, hire an exterminator to spray the venue a couple of days before the ceremony.
Connect the setting with the music…
When choosing the music, you should also have in mind the setting. For example, steel drums are perfect for a beach wedding while folk or bluegrass groups fit perfectly into a backyard wedding. The dance floor and the DJ should have a good spot on the venue, visible from all sides so that everybody can approach it at any moment. Just mind the city ordinances – late night music is probably not allowed, so inform yourself about the exact time when the music will have to unplug.
Always have a plan B…
Sometimes, no matter how carefully you planned something, an unexpected issue will occur.
The most common issue is the inconsistency of weather. You need to be prepared for all weather conditions. The best prevention from these situations is installing Aristo retractable roof. This type of roof that can project out to 10m will make sure that rainy weather doesn’t spoil your special day.
Also, in case the whole venue becomes unavailable for some reason just days or even hours before the ceremony, you need to have a backup plan where the ceremony will be held. It will take off a huge amount of stress off your shoulders.
Preparing the scene for the ceremony…
The wedding ceremony is the highlight of the day, so make sure it’s stunning. After you have chosen the outdoor venue, find the best spot in it where the ceremony will be performed. Decide whether you want it to be framed with an artsy backdrop or a ceremony arch. The backdrops and arches work for any type of ceremony and they also create a focal point on the venue. Aisle markers add visual interests without going too far. When decorating the arch, use the colors or the flowers that are used around the venue but make sure the arch is the lushest decorative item of all. After all, it’s the spot where you’ll get to say “I do”.
Warm or cool the guests – whatever they need…
During the warm months, the shade is the most important factor of an outdoor wedding. You can give out fans and floppy hats before the ceremony or install huge umbrellas over the tables.
Hydration is another necessity. Lemonade and iced tea are the best options and they should be available at all times.
However, some months can be tricky, with the temperature dropping up to 20 degrees after sunset. Provide space heaters inside the tents or give out pashminas to the ladies and scarves to the gentlemen. They can also serve as favors.
Creative menu…
An outdoor wedding allows for creativity with the menu. Whether it’s a barbecue, a pig roast or something over-the-top elegant, you can prepare whatever you want, just as long you find the right cook and caterer. Just provide enough non-alcoholic drinks to go with the food.
Don’t forget to schedule a site visit for the caterer. They will decide where their tent should be and what type of equipment they’ll need.
Decor colors…
A great thing about outdoor weddings is that you don’t have to limit yourself to colors that fit the venue’s colors of walls, curtains or the furnishings. You can play with colors as much as you want because the open space is receptive to all colors. In case you love earthly colors, use flower beds, grass, and trees as your source of inspiration. If you want to get bold, then use vibrant colors that will pop out in your wedding bouquet, bridesmaid dresses and on the tables.
In case there are specific architectural elements on the venue, stick to colors that will complement them. You can always get a professional tip to get you started.
Final advice…
When organizing an outdoor wedding, the most important thing is to create a checklist first. Put every single detail on a piece of paper and then organize them in chronological order. Some things simply have to be done before others.
Sometimes certain things will come up, forcing you to change certain parts of the plan, but don’t let it get to you. You can’t influence everything and some circumstances will be out of your control. The most important thing is to stick to what you have control of and do it as best as you can.
Finally, when the day comes, you need to let go of everything and don’t think about what could go wrong. Enjoy your day, every minute of it.