Planning an Outdoor Wedding

Many brides dream of having an outdoor wedding. There are many great reasons for selecting an outdoor location for your wedding. The biggest reason is the cost.

Holding your wedding in a beautiful backyard or garden of a friend or family member will save you lots of money. If you do not have access to a beautiful garden or backyard, you may consider a city park or other public garden.

Remember that public parks or gardens means that you’re wedding will not be totally “private”, because the public will still be able to utilize areas around your wedding site. Other choices you may consider are forest, country club, mountains, and winery just to mention a few.

When selecting an outdoor location for your wedding, consider seasonal weather conditions such as “April Rain” or “July Heat” when deciding on the date for your outdoor wedding. Most outdoor wedding ceremonies that are planned during warm summer months should be scheduled in the evening just before sunset.

Be sure to visit the proposed wedding site one year prior to your wedding date. If you plan to get married on June 23, 2010 you should visit the site on or close to June 23, 2009. This will help you determine what the location looks like at that time of year, what flowers are blooming, what position the sun is at for a 3:00 p.m. wedding ceremony, daily temperature, etc.

The “be prepared rule” will be key to your outdoor wedding planning.

Outdoor Wedding Invitations

Your invitations should provide your guests a hint of what is to come.

If you are planning a garden wedding your invitations might include a floral design that reflects a garden feel. If you’re outdoor wedding is to take place in the forest, your invitations can include a woodsy forest scene, pinecones or other design that represents your wedding location and theme.

Always let your guests know that your wedding will take place outdoors so that they can dress appropriately.

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

Clusters of flowers will add touches of color to chairs that will line the aisle. Many brides choose not to use an aisle runner for their outdoor wedding; instead opting to line the entire aisle with flower petals.

A sand ceremony may be a better choice than a unity candle for an outdoor wedding ceremony. Candles may be hard to light with even the slightest breeze.

Simple Outdoor Wedding Decorations

A simple but romantic way to light up your wedding location is to place citronella tea lights or candles inside jars (mason jars work great). Tie wire around the rim and then use the same wire to create a hanger, to hang jars onto trees at different heights. This will serve as a unique and romantic lighting effect, help in controlling any pesky insects and add visual drama to your wedding site.

String various crystals onto fishing line and hang from tree branches, or tent poles. Crystals can also be strung on thin wire to create beautiful accents for your wedding cake, or add sparkle to your wedding bouquet and table arrangements.

Investing in several large centerpieces will add more drama to your location rather than using many small arrangements. This may also save you money in the long run.

Adding fresh vegetables or fruits to your floral arrangements is the perfect way to add creativity and cut down on the cost of flowers.

Place reception centerpieces on top of inverted wine goblets, cake pedestals or simple boxes to add a bit of height and interest to your floral decorations.

A simple wedding decorating idea is the use of colored tablecloths, napkins or table runners to add color to your reception tables.

Continue the use of color by adding a sash tied in a bow, ribbons tied to hang loosely or cluster of flowers to the back of each of your reception guest chairs.

If your wedding reception is to take place indoors be sure to continue the same décor that was used at your outdoor wedding ceremony.

Outdoor Wedding Locations

Select an outdoor location that is special to both of you and represents both your personalities. Some couples plan their wedding ceremony at the park where their proposal took place, or plan the reception at the winery where they had their first date.

Be prepared to obtain special permits to hold an outdoor wedding or reception especially if there will be music played late into the night, or if alcoholic beverages will be served.

Be sure that there will be adequate parking for your guests. If parking is too far from the wedding site, you may want to consider providing a shuttle service for your guest.

Assure that there is plenty of bathroom facilities and make sure the facilities will be cleaned before your event. If there are no facilities, or not enough facilities you may need to rent portable bathrooms for your event.

Provide plenty of trash receptacles for your guests to dispose of any trash, and be sure to leave the site as you found it or hire a cleaning crew to clean-up after the event.

Be prepared for inclement weather conditions on your wedding day. One way to assure that the weather will not affect your wedding is to rent a tent. This will assure that even if it rains your ceremony can still go on as planned. A tent provides shade and can add an intimate feeling to your wedding.

A tent will provide additional opportunity to add décor and unique lighting. Do not wait until the last minute to rent your tent, tents are very popular items and should be reserved months in advance of your wedding date.

If renting a tent is not in your budget, your best backup plan is to hold your wedding ceremony at an indoor location, such as someone’s home. If your wedding reception will be held in a reception hall, the ceremony can quickly be moved to that location. Discuss the cost of reserving your reception hall for a few extra hours with your venue manager, just in case of bad weather and be ready to contact guests by phone to let them know of any last minute changes.

Unexpected wind may also affect your perfectly planned wedding. So be sure to anchor down tablecloths or other decorations that will be placed on or around your tables. Place candles in votives, vases, jars or hurricane lamps to ensure that they will continue to burn throughout the evening.

Your music might also be affected by rain or wind as well. The best thing to do is to discuss this with your band or DJ when you interview them. A professional musician or music provider should have a solid backup plan to handle wind, rain and power issues. If they cannot provide you with a backup plan move on to the next music vendor. If they do have a backup plan, be sure it is included in your contract. Remember that no contract is valid until it is signed by both parties.

Individual tables with umbrellas are also another popular idea to help shelter your guests from rain, sun and heat during your outdoor reception.

Setting up a beverage station for a wedding in warm weather will provide plenty of cold bottled water, lemonade or tea for your guests. You may also offer hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate for a cold weather wedding such as a forest, lakeside or mountain lodge.

Bouquet: Your bouquet should reflect the season and using flowers that are in season will save you additional cost. Many brides select a bouquet that is comprised of various types of flowers to create the look of a casual bouquet of wildflowers tied together with pretty ribbon. Other brides go with the traditional rose bouquets and add only a few blooms that may be in season to accent their bouquet with their favorite wedding color.

Outdoor Wedding Attire

Your outdoor wedding attire should also reflect the season of your wedding day. Brides who marry during the warm summer months normally select a halter top or strapless wedding gown that is simple and has a natural and organic feel to it.

Many brides decide to select wedding gowns that have color in them instead of the traditional all white or off white dress. A simple way to add color is by adding a sash or simple colored ribbon at the waist.

It is important to select a dress that you will look beautiful in and feel comfortable in for several hours, especially if you’re entire event will take place outdoors.

Bridesmaid and flower girl’s dresses can be a bit more whimsical and fun especially if your wedding is to take place during the spring or summer months. Many brides have each bridesmaid wear short cocktail dresses, or dresses in different colors and styles, as long as all dresses are made of the same type of fabric and are the same length.

Your groomsmen and ring bearer’s attire can also fit easily into a casual outdoor theme by selecting casual slacks and shirts, no need for a tie or jacket for this look.

If you’re outdoor wedding is a bit more elegant then try a navy blazer and khaki slacks or add color by selecting a light colored shirt or tie to continue your perfect wedding color theme.

Outdoor Wedding Shoes

High heels will sink and you will surely get stuck in the grass or sand as well as ruin your beautiful wedding shoes. Wedge heels or flats are the best choice for any bride who is planning an outdoor or garden wedding.

If you’re wedding last for several hours, be sure to pack a comfortable pair of shoes to change into later in the evening. Many brides decorate a special pair of sneakers or bring along a pair of ballerina flats or flip flops to give their aching feet a rest.

Outdoor Wedding Make-up

You will want to discuss special make-up issues with your make-up artist or cosmetic consultant where ever cosmetics are sold. Let them know that your wedding will take place outdoos and they will assist you in selecting the best make-up for you to wear for a flawless look that will last all day.

Get great make-up tips at our partner wedding site.

www.easymakeupguide.com

Outdoor Wedding Cakes

It’s your wedding so be sure to pick a flavor that both you and your groom love. Many couples have a hard time deciding on a flavor so instead have their baker make each layer a different flavor.

Decorating your wedding cake with fresh flowers is the perfect choice for an outdoor or garden wedding. Other ideas can include love birds with simple branches and bird’s nests, butterflies, Ivy leaves and daisies, or polka dots and stripes for a whimsical wedding cake.

Visit our wedding cake link partners for great wedding cake ideas and helpful information.

www.cake-baker.com

Wedding Favors & Extra Special Touches

An outdoor wedding can sometimes be uncomfortable for your guests especially if it the weather is warm. Create beautiful fans to handout to your guests. These fans can double as your wedding programs by writing all program information directly onto each fan. Adding a colorful ribbon will add a pop of color when they are placed a basket for guests to take as they await your arrival.

Provide wedding favors that will let your guest know that you planned your wedding with them in mind. There are several things that you can offer your wedding guests that may seem a bit off the wall but practical. A basket filled with sunglasses, visors, straw hats, mini bottles of sunscreen or individually wrapped insect repellant towelettes are perfect for any outdoor wedding.

Consider placing several electric fans to circulate the air on a hot day and place tiki lamps to control any flying insects that might ruin your celebration.

Outdoor Wedding Menu

Outdoor weddings usually don’t follow all of the traditional rules of a formal sit down dinner. Your outdoor wedding reception can be very informal and your menu can reflect this informality.

Some great choices to include in your outdoor wedding menu are Bar-B-Q, a wide variety of cold salads and tea sandwiches, fresh fruits and fruit salads, finger foods, cheese and crackers or special spreads and pretty appetizers.

Make sure to have plenty of cool drinks on hand especially if your wedding is scheduled during the warm summer months. Save money by serving beer and wine instead of having an open bar. Many couples create one “signature drink” to serve their guests.

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