(ARA) - An outdoor wedding is a dream for many
couples, and there are a variety of locations to consider —
scenic landmarks, historic estates, parks, the beach, or even your
own backyard. Getting married outside in the sunshine, surrounded
by the beauty of nature and your friends and family, makes for a
lovely celebration.
But hosting an outdoor wedding takes planning,
forethought and attention to details. Although you can’t control
the weather, you can work around it. Here are some tips for planning
a successful outdoor wedding.
Location
Even though your heart is set on an outdoor wedding,
it is wise to choose a location that has both indoor and outdoor
facilities, if possible. That way, if the weather doesn’t
cooperate, the show can still go on. At the very least, rent a tent
in case of inclement weather.
Some
parks and other outdoor locations may not be experienced in hosting
weddings. Make sure you know the rules of the venue you choose.
Ask specific questions; for example, do you need a permit? Is there
a limit on the number of guests? Will you be allowed to serve alcohol?
Make sure you’ll have access to the amenities
you’ll need for a successful event. Are there restrooms available?
If not, you’ll have to rent port-a-potties. You’ll probably
need electricity (for the caterers, the DJ, fans or lighting, etc.),
which is not usually found in nature. Find out if you need to rent
a generator.
Bugs and outdoor weddings go hand in hand. But
you can take measures to alleviate the worst of the problem. You
may want to hire an exterminator to spray the day before the wedding.
Citronella candles add shimmer and also help keep bugs at bay.
Decorations
At an outdoor wedding, Mother Nature provides
most of the decorations — trees, flowers, a view of a lake
or a hilltop vista. But you may want to embellish a bit. Many couples
opt for a beautiful wedding arch to provide a focal point for the
ceremony. The arch can be left simple and unadorned, or can be swathed
in flowers and ribbons to match those carried by the wedding party.
An arch dripping with flowers also provides a wonderful backdrop
for wedding photos. Coordinate the arch with raised planters sprouting
matching flowers and you’ll add enchantment to an already
magical setting. And if you have to move your ceremony indoors at
the last minute, the arch and planters will provide instant decoration
to the new location.
You can ask your florist to decorate the arch,
or do it yourself. Garden Artisans offers a number of arches to
choose from, including the Ogee Gothic Arch, a Monet Arch and a
Classic Round Arch to add a romantic touch to your wedding. After
the ceremony, the arch can take an honored place in your garden
as a reminder of your special day.
Guests
Be sure guests know they’re attending an
outdoor wedding, so they can dress appropriately. In addition, it
is a good idea to send weather information to out-of-town guests
who may not be familiar with the climate.
Is there a place for your guests to park? If there
is no convenient parking at the site, consider having them park
in a nearby lot and shuttling them over. Also make sure that the
site is accessible, especially for elderly guests and others with
limited mobility.
The Wedding Party
Keep the weather in mind when choosing a dress.
Brides should choose a dress made of lighter-weight fabrics and
consider not having a train, which will drag in the grass and dirt.
An aisle runner will help this problem. Brides and bridesmaids will
want to stay away from shoes with spike heels, which will sink into
the ground.
Groomsmen should consider wearing vests with full
backs so they can still look dressed up with their coats off.
Food
Be sure the professionals you hire have outdoor
experience. Caterers need to provide foods and food displays that
keep well under warm conditions. Alcohol is dehydrating. Make sure
there are nonalcoholic beverages available to quench people’s
thirst on a hot day.
For more information on the arches, raised planters
and other garden accessories available from Garden Artisans, visit
the company’s Web site at www.gardenartisans.com. Courtesy of ARA Content
Im getting married next September and my fiance insists on an outdoor wedding, my problem is I cannot find any place that I approve of to have it. I live in southeastern Kentucky and there is no nice places here. So any advice how I can either change his mind or clean up some field or something on my grandfathers farm…HELP!!!
allison, i love the idea of the outdor wedding but if that is not what you want then sitting down with your fiance and coming to a meeting of the minds would be best. there are other alternatives, i love the farm idea, what about the barn, can it be cleaned up for the reception and have the actual ceremony outside under a gorgeous tree.
if this is not possible ask your fiance about having a love of outdoors brought in. this can be costly, but you may have access to branches that can be put in large glass or other vases. even square wooden boxes. this type of decor is very chic. i love the idea of gathering fruit trees and lining your aisle with them and planting them later at the farm or your house. theres no waste in this idea. and carrying a mix of garden roses and wildflowers. i saw a wedding tent once where they secured tree branches on tent poles it looked like large trees inside the tent. it was absolutely amazing!!
with the ideas i suggested have a mix of old and new it will give it a hip feel. hang lanterns everywhere they fill up a space on a any budget but especially budget friendly for brides who have limited budget. it may be difficult to change his mind but help him see its about fusing what is important to the both of you. maybe he will bend if he knows it will be an amazing outdoor (but indoors) theme with the things he loves too. i hope you both like this idea!! good luck!!
go to brides.com and check out real weddings (rustic theme) you will find alot of great info there and beautiful barn weddings.(just in case) also google image each… (after searching ones below go back and and add board to each and it will pull up inspirational boards.
farm wedding
field wedding
barn wedding
And see Kate & Jack in Santa Fe, NM at The Knot
(Amanda)
Night time outdoor wedding SCREAMS for Chinese lanterns!
(Linda Rodgers)
Not sure exactly what you mean by hyms. But the harp sounds lovely. If the garden setting lends itself to something Victorian — the reading of an appropraite poem (”How do I love thee? Let me count the ways . . . “) might be a good way to go.
I am planning on getting married in Oct, 2007. I am in need of ideas because it is going to be a nighttime wedding !!!!
I need IDEAS so please help!!!!You can email me at; acchil01@moreheadstate.edu
I am getting married in the summer and we are planning a graden wedding ceremony. We have a Harpist who will play at the start of the ceremony and may play during the ceremniny if we wish. It is traditional to have hyms during a ceremony, however we are a little unsure if hyms would work outside. I was wondering if you could offer any suggestions that we may be able to incorporate into our ceremony in the garden. Thank you for your time. Kind Regards, Linda Rodgers.