When weather begins to warm, some couples forgo a traditional church wedding in lieu of a wedding ceremony and reception outdoors. This option is especially popular for non-traditional couples, couples who prefer a secular ceremony, or those who have an outdoor location special to their hearts.
Many wedding venues that previously did not offer outdoor reception space have renovated their landscaping to meet the growing demand for outdoor weddings. Other popular outdoor wedding locations include county or city parks, gardens and local zoos, or the privacy of the home of a family or friend.
Choosing an Outdoor Wedding Theme
Prior to making any decisions with regard to invitations, wedding favors, or food, it's important to take a realistic look at the setting and determine the theme or color scheme of the wedding. Coordinated weddings and receptions, even those in a backyard garden, need to not only appear festive, but organized and well thought out.
Outdoor wedding themes do not need to be fancy or formal, but should feel complete. Gardens and yards lend themselves well to floral or outdoor-inspired wedding themes, such as the colors of fall, or the pastels of spring.
When choosing an outdoor wedding theme, there are several things a bride and groom should keep in mind:
- What are the naturally occurring color palettes throughout the yard?
- Where do you envision the ceremony taking place, and will that location accommodate all of the guests of the wedding?
- Are there patches of grass or garden that will need sprucing up before the wedding?
- What time of year will the wedding take place, and what plants will be in bloom during that time?
- Will you need to plant anything ahead of time, such as flower bulbs that need to winter in the ground prior to the wedding?
Planning An Outdoor Wedding
Once the preliminary questions have been answered, the bride and groom can begin to plan their outdoor wedding. While the ideal situation is perfect weather, the couple also needs to create a contingency plan in case of rain or otherwise inclement weather conditions.
In the planning stages, the bride and groom should make sure all of the logistics have been worked through. In addition to meeting with the florist, the bride and groom should also consider the following when planning an outdoor wedding:
- Will chairs need to be rented for both the wedding ceremony and reception?
- Would a rental tent provide ample room for the wedding reception in case of rain or inclement weather?
- Renting a sound system will allow wedding guests to hear everything over the natural sounds of the outdoors.
- What options are there for creating a focal point for the wedding ceremony? A gazebo or garden arch provides a nice outdoor wedding option.
- What time of the day is the wedding and ceremony? If it will be evening or dark outside, will it be necessary to rent lights?
- What restroom facilities will be available for guests? Will a portable restroom rental be necessary?
When considering logistics for the outdoor wedding, it helps to look at the site with the perspective of a guest. Is the site easy to safely navigate? Will it be too cold to be outside? If heat is a factor, would a canopy help keep people cool? Taking the time to consider how the guest perceives the site can help eliminate some of the problems that can occur on the day of the wedding.
Preparing The Outdoor Wedding Site
As the wedding date draws near, preparing the outdoor wedding site will require careful planning and timing. Cleaning the garden and yard early makes it easier to maintain in the weeks before the wedding.
To ensure that there is plenty of time to set up and decorate the outdoor wedding site, the bride and groom should plan to have all rentals arrive at least two days early. Completing the setup before the wedding will help to alleviate any undue stress on the bride and groom.
The day before the wedding, a professional yard crew or garden service should come through to mow, and rake if necessary. Colorful mulch and potted flowers can be placed ahead of time, while ribbons for fences or trees can wait until the morning of the wedding.
It is also important to make sure that any neighbors are made aware of the upcoming wedding with plenty of time to make other arrangements. Most neighbors will be happy to reasonably accommodate the bride and groom on such a special day. While some may offer their driveways for additional parking, others will just be grateful for the thoughtfulness of advanced notice.
Related Articles
- Planning A Green Wedding - Ideas for reducing the carbon footprint of a wedding ceremony and reception.
- Choosing A Wedding Reception Venue - Insight into the things a bride and groom should consider when choosing their wedding reception site.
- Cookie Wedding Favors - Creative ways to add a homemade feel to a wedding.
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