Outdoor Wedding Tips

Outdoor wedding celebrations are always timeless. What better than nature to set the backdrop of your special day? The outdoors change with the seasons so the variety of scenery for your day is always determined by the time of year you choose. Autumn, summer, winter and spring all bring their own unique features and challenges to the planning process. We’re breaking some of them down on the blog today!

Outdoor Wedding Rule 1: Always have a Plan B!

There will be plenty of things you can control on your day. You can have the catering, the decorating and the bridal party all under control. But one thing we unfortunately can never control is the weather! If the weather doesn’t cooperate on your day, you will need a ‘Plan B’ in place with your venue. Most wedding venues have wet weather options. Before you decide on an outdoor wedding, also ensure you are at peace with the fact your wedding may end up indoors if the weather isn’t favourable. Outdoor weddings take additional planning because you are almost planning two weddings. One is your optimum outdoor plan and the second is your indoor plan. If everyone is clear on the way forward disappointment will be kept to a minimum.

Weathering Outdoor Wedding Weather

You will still need plans in place if the weather plays nice. For example, your summer’s day wedding could be unbearably hot. The last thing you want is to be worrying about sweating off your makeup before your ceremony! A cold snap could thwart your autumn wedding day plans. The point is to plan for all possibilities. Parasols or umbrella hire could be a godsend on a hot day or a sudden spring shower. Light blankets left dotted around your venue space will keep the evening chill away for those who forgot a jacket.

Bugs away, guests will stay!

Insect repellent is a necessity at all outdoor functions. Another uncontrollable factor about outdoor weddings are bugs! They tend to arrive uninvited and can distract your guests from having a great time. Insect repellent as individual guest gifts or to share on guest tables is the best way to combat this potential problem. If space is available, consider pre-dinner drinks in a semi-outdoor area at sunset. This is often when insects are at their most “enthusiastic”. You could then move to your fully outdoor reception space for dinner once the uninvited critters have left.

Have outdoor wedding emergency cover ready

Keep some plain white ‘easy up’ style tents handy. If a shower comes over, the tents can quickly be put up to protect and taken away once the pesky rain cloud has moved on.

Break out those twinkle lights

There’s nothing better than an outdoor wedding festooned in twinkle lights! There are so many different styles available and for all situations. Drape net style lights over bushes; hang curtain lights from the ceiling – the list is endless. The best part is they are light and easy to attach with removable hook options that won’t cause damage.

Lights, camera, action.

Don’t forget that outdoor events still require power and lighting. Speeches, cutting the cake and the first dance will all need to be lit so guests can see what’s going on. Considering hiring a specialist to take care of this for you. The last thing you need is to be worrying about power issues on your outdoor wedding day.

Finish with a bang

Outdoor weddings and sparklers are a match made in heaven! Plan for a sparkler exit or go all out and hire a fireworks display! Guests turn into kids at a birthday party when the sparklers come out and make sure your photographer is ready for those beautiful photographs.