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Outdoor weddings are all the rage right now. More and more couples are thinking green and going outside to get married. I’m heartily in favor of this trend. After all, it’s the choice I made all those years ago and I’ve got absolutely zero regrets. In fact, I would do it the same way again.
But while I’m wildly enthusiastic, I do know it’s not for everyone. And I do know that even when it’s the right choice for you, it’s a good idea to really consider the practicalities before you go too far down that particular garden path.
You see, there’s an art to planning an outdoor wedding. There are things you need to consider in the great outdoors that you don’t need to bother about if you’re getting married indoors. But if you know what you need to consider, you’ll be able to plan an outdoor event that people will talk about for years to come… in the very best way.
Know the weather patterns for the area you’re getting married in. I vividly remember one bride from Bridezillas who was getting married out of doors on the Jersey shoreline… in April… without a back up plan. Yeah, she got rained out and had to settle for getting married on the porch of her reception hall instead of on the strand where she had accepted his proposal.
I’ve never lived on the East coast, let alone in New Jersey, but I know that the shores at that time of year in that place are cold and prone to stormy weather. She ought to have known that, too.
Pick a time of year when the weather is more likely than not to cooperate with your plans. Speaking of which…
Have a back up plan. Even the most predictable weather patterns can suddenly be broken in the weirdest ways at the worst possible times. Knowing you have somewhere to go if a sudden storm happens adds peace of mind.
Know what amenities are available on site and what you’ll have to bring in. You’ve fallen in love with that gorgeous flower garden… but you’ll need to rent port-a-potties. Weddings are held on this country club lawn all the time… but if you plan to go past sunset with your party, you’ll need to bring your own lights. Yes, you can hold your wedding in this state park… but there aren’t any chairs for your guests to sit on. It’s easy to find the perfect spot and then spend a lot of money making it as practical as it is romantic. So ask up front about what is and is not included. Know where the bathrooms (if any!) are located and what they’re like. Double check whether there are kitchen facilities on site before you plan your menu. Will guest have somewhere to park their cars?
Also, be aware of any restrictions. for instance, the site where Mr. Twistie and I were married required that we be cleaned up and gone by sunset. We were happy to work within those rules, but it did affect our schedule for the day. Know what you can and cannot bring, what time you can begin setting up, when everything has to be cleaned up, whether or not you need a permit from the City, and whether or not alcohol is allowed.
Really think about how you want to dress out of doors. Lots of little girls dream of a long veil and cathedral train… and those little girls should either get married indoors or be prepared to see those gowns and veils badly bedraggled, grass-stained, snagged, full of dirt and/or sand, and truly pre-trashed before the day is over.
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Think about shorter hemlines, soft fabrics, a short veil or alternate headpiece, flat shoes or bare feet instead of stilettos that will sink into the ground. As for the men, if you were looking for a good reason not to rent tuxes, this is it. Your guys will look great in nice suits, linen jackets, or even nice shirts and dress trousers.
Of course you can still be formal out of doors, but a softer, more relaxed look usually seems more fitting when you’re surrounded by nature, just as a barefoot, short-skirted bride with a wreath of flowers in her hair looks out of place in a grand cathedral.
Know what is and is not in bloom when you’re getting married. After all, that rose garden is spectacular in June… but if you’re getting married in April, you may be surrounded by bare, thorny shrubs that don’t really get across that romantic feeling you were going for.
Use your site, don’t fight it. If you take one look and say ‘this place is perfect… as soon as we change out the plants, put in a path, wire it for sound and lighting….’ see what I mean? an outdoor site is a great reason to go with acoustic music, keep the decorations simple, and light the evening part of the party with tiki torches. Pick flowers that go with the plants already in place. Plan your party around colors that occur naturally where you are. Serve picnic style foods rather than a fancy plated meal. And a beach wedding? Would be the perfect excuse for a good clam bake.
Keep it simple, keep it organized, keep it fun, and your outdoor wedding will be one well worth toasting for years to come.