A Bride’s Guide To Hosting A Beautiful Outdoor Wedding

You’ve decided you’d like an outdoor wedding – how wonderful. The beautiful blue skies, warm sun and gentle breeze on your skin – at least, that’s how you envisage it. Sadly, when it comes to outdoor weddings, the reality can be very different. That’s not to say that an outdoor wedding is a bad idea, just that it pays to plan well and be prepared. For a successful outdoor wedding, be it on the beach or in a local woodland, there’s a lot that needs to be thought about.

 

It’s important to find the right venue

Just like when planning any wedding, when it comes to organizing an outdoor affair, finding the right venue is crucial. The good news is that there are plenty of outside wedding venues to choose from, so you’ll have plenty of choice. When we say outdoor venues, we’re not talking about any outside space. Oh no, there are actual outdoor venues made for especially weddings.

While you could choose to get married on your local beach, opting for a professional venue is a much better option. Just like you would when looking for an indoor venue, take your time researching what’s on offer. From venues in beautiful manor houses to places nestled in the heart of the countryside, there are lots of options.

How can you ensure your guests are comfortable?

An important factor to consider is that your guests are comfortable. The last thing you want is your guests spending your entire wedding cold and uncomfortable. Make sure that on your invitations, you say that it’s an outdoor wedding, so that your guests know to bring jackets.

Whatever you do, don’t opt for garden chairs as these can be super uncomfortable. Or, if garden chairs are your only option, make sure to add pillows to them to make them more comfortable.

The evenings can get incredibly cold, so it might be worth investing in a few outdoor heaters to dot around. This will help to ensure that as the evening sets in, your guests are nice and toasty. The last thing you want is guests who are too cold to enjoy themselves.

You’ll need a rain strategy

The most important thing when it comes to outdoor weddings is having a plan B in place. The last thing you want when planning out your dream day is to have to plan an alternative day as well. But unless you want your wedding to turn into a disaster if the weather doesn’t play ball, having a plan B is a must.  

 

A great option for a plan B that won’t cost too much is having a marquee on standby. Put a deposit down on a marquee so that should the weather be nasty on your big day, you’re covered. Don’t be tempted to go without a plan B, as should it rain on your wedding day, you’ll be kicking yourself.

Power is crucial

Wherever your outdoor venue is – be it the beach or your parent’s backyard, having power is crucial. You can’t enjoy your big day without power, so before you book a certain venue make sure that there is a power source available.

For food, lighting, entertainment, and heat, having access to power is crucial. If a venue doesn’t offer a power hook up, it’s probably best to look for somewhere else. A generator can be a good compromise, but it’s important to realize that they’re not always reliable.

If you want to ensure that your outdoor wedding is as amazing as you dreamed it would be, take these tips on board. Be choosy about your venue, ensure you have access to power and have a good plan B in place.