Outdoor Weddings

By: Georgina Clatworthy
Submitted: 2009-11-16 16:59:42
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If you fancy a wedding outdoors there are lots of great reasons why you should.  And whilst you may think that an al fresco affair can only take place in the hot weather of the summer months, then think again.  An outdoors wedding can be any time of the year.  But before you hit the wedding planning there are a few things you will need to consider first.

•  Plan for inclement weather.
Whilst they say that rain on your wedding day brings good luck to the marriage, I don’t know of many bride’s who would openly wish for it.  So be prepared just in case the heavens do open with a stack of umbrellas to hand and a backup venue closes by.

•  Consider time of day.
If the climate in your location is particularly hot during the summer days, then you may want to consider an evening wedding when the temperatures are cooler and more comfortable.  At the very least avoid the scorching midday sun and go for a late afternoon ceremony and reception.

•  Make your venue accessible and comfortable for guests.
Give some consideration to your guests comfort in the form of shade from the heat or somewhere warm if it is chilly.  Many brides provide parasols or print their programs on fans as means of keeping guests cool, whilst in the chilly months brides will shell out on pashmina’s for their female guests to wrap up in.  Another good idea is to provide your guests with warming glasses of cider punch, mulled wine or hot chocolate when they arrive at the reception.

You should also consider any disabled and elderly guests who may find hilly terrain difficult to navigate.

•  Don’t forget about the birds and the bees
I mean the living, flying varieties, the other you can save for your honeymoon  Flying insects and squawking birds can be a nuisance at an outdoor wedding.  Set out some citronella candles and have some spray handy to clear the air around your venue.  If birds are a particular problem you may want to enlist the aid of a crow scarer before the wedding starts to disperse them. Whatever you do with them make sure you have some kind of plan in place.

•  Will it be windy?
A gusty breeze can affect the ability of your guests to hear the ceremony and it will also play havoc with your hair and veil.  When you start looking for potential venues make sure you visit your favorites at different times of the day and times of year if possible to assess the wind factor and whether or not it will be a problem. You should also take note of any other noise pollution such as a nearby busy road or train track as this too could affect the amount your guests will hear.  

•  Will your food survive the elements?
This is a vital consideration particularly if you are planning a summer wedding.  Dishes such as ice cream and chocolate may not look so fabulous after standing outside for several minutes.  You should also consider how long food should be laid out for, particularly if you are having a buffet, as it could spoil in record quick time if the temperatures are high.  Speak to your caterer about your options for keeping food fresh and cool.

•  Keep your guests hydrated.
If the weather is hot, keep your guests refreshed with bottles of mineral water or fruit juice readily to hand around the site.  If the weather is cold then provide them with a warm drink such as those mentioned earlier.

•  Are you breaking the law?
Make sure you check out all the legalities of getting married in a public place such as a park or beach.  Find out if you will need permits or licenses especially where the serving of alcohol is concerned and late night entertainment.

•  Keep your guests informed.
Set up a personal wedding website so you can keep your guests informed about weather conditions etc.  You may even be able to load a widget on your website which can provide your guests with up to the minute weather reports.  They will appreciate being informed especially when it comes to what to wear.  If you don’t have a website then try to contact guests as soon as you know that the weather may not be as expected so they can come prepared.

Article source: Expert Articles