Plan a Successful Outdoor Wedding

An outdoor wedding is a beautiful and romantic choice. Whether you chose newly blooming spring flowers and budding trees, a summer rose garden or beachside venue, or the rich gold and amber colors of fall, all three seasons provide a gorgeous natural background for your ceremony and pictures! But an outdoor wedding does have its drawbacks, so you'll want to pay close attention to these suggestions made by brides who've been there before!

Think of Your Guests!

What is the weather typically like during this season in the area you're planning to have your wedding? If it's sure to be sunny and hot, you may want to arrange to have the ceremony under a tent, provide ice cold water bottles for your guests to keep them cool through the ceremony, and give your guests paper fans. You could also consider renting large fans and generators to keep the air moving throughout the seating area. Now, if it's going to be cooler and damp, advise guests to wear a light sweater or coat. You may want to rent portable heaters to warm the area.

What if it Rains?

Many brides planning an outdoor wedding opt to have the ceremony outside and the reception inside, making the reception hall a possible indoor option if rain begins to fall. For light rains, a tent may be an acceptable option, but when the rain is heavy, the ground will be muddy and hardly conducive to formal footwear!

Ensure that Everyone Can Hear the Vows!

When planning an outdoor wedding, most brides don't consider the crashing waves at the beach, the rustle of wind through the trees, or other natural sounds that will quickly drown out anything played or said on stage! Plan to rent a high quality sound system that will allow your guests to catch every bit of the ceremony.

What about Windy Days?

Are outdoor weddings in your area of the country prone to gusty or continuous winds? Consider this when you're planning your party's attire! Avoid light fabrics that will leave bridesmaids hands at their sides in an attempt to keep skirts down. Let your hairdresser know about possible windy situations, so she can choose styles for you and your bridesmaids that will stay nice throughout the ceremony. You should also let your guests know so they can dress appropriately.

Keep the Bugs Away!

Nothing is more annoying that a fly buzzing by your ear as you're trying to listen to gorgeous music or hear the bride and groom exchange vows! Plan to have an abundance of citronella candles or electric bug zappers to keep those pesky little creatures away.

Enhance Nature's Beauty with Decorations

Even though natural surroundings provide a beautiful backdrop, you'll probably want to add some decorations to the ceremony area that coordinate with your chosen colors. Fresh flowers on the stage, silky ribbons on the seats, lanterns or lights strung above in the trees or across any railings. Perhaps you'd want to say your vows under an arbor or trellis. There are many options to tie the natural beauty of your surroundings into the specific color scheme you've chosen for your wedding ceremony.