7 Things to Consider If You’re Planning an Outdoor Wedding

If you're planning to say "I do" outside, you'll want to make sure you're ready for anything. From extreme heat and chilly temperatures, to pesky bugs and overly-sunny skies, here are the top seven things to consider if you're planning an outdoor wedding.

This is the most common wedding weather disaster. If you’re planning to have either your ceremony or your reception outside, it’s imperative that you have a back-up plan with key essentials ready to keep guests dry. We suggest sitting down with your venue early on to discuss a plan for moving your wedding inside on the big day if it begins to rain. If you decide to tent either your ceremony or reception, you’ll need to factor in the cost of renting a tent to your budget. You’ll also want to make sure that guests are comfortable during the “I dos.” We suggest having the ushers or a few designated friends stationed by the entrance of your venue with umbrellas in case guests need to be escorted inside before the ceremony. During the celebration, always have a few extra umbrellas near the doors just in case.

The wind can be a total terror on your big day. If your local weather calls for a gusty day, make sure to check with your photographer in the morning to ensure you have indoor locations ready for wedding portraits just in case the outdoor shots are too hard to capture. Before the ceremony and reception, make sure all decor elements including flowers, signs, tablecloths, and ceremony arches are completely secured and won’t blow away. If you’re tenting your event, make sure you get the sides added on to keep guests warm. Also, consider providing shawls or thin scarves for guests if they want to bundle up during the evening.

If you’re getting married anytime between November and April, you’ll want to incorporate a few thoughtful details to keep guests cozy. When guests arrive at your outdoor ceremony, we suggest greeting them with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee. We also suggest having a few blankets or scarves handy for chilly guests to quickly grab on their way to their seats. If it’s really cold, you might also want to consider having the ushers pass out hand warmers. Most importantly, if your ceremony is outdoors, keep it short. You don’t want guests shivering through your vows. For the reception, large outdoor space heaters can be a great addition. Also, consider serving up warm signature cocktails like Irish coffee or hot toddies in addition to hearty foods to keep loved ones happy.

While most weddings during the summer months are outdoors, many couples forget to factor in extreme heat. It can take a harsh the toll it may take on guests, especially elderly ones. If you’re sure you want to battle the muggy air on your big day, consider these little touches to make sure guests are comfortable. At the ceremony, give guests an opportunity to grab a libation to drink during the “I dos.” From chilled lemonade to cucumber water, cool drinks will help keep guests from getting overheated. We also love the idea of turning your ceremony program into a fan by adding a stick to it. Remember to factor in the temperature when creating your menu. While a five course meal is decadent, we suggest opting for a cool summer salad with a fish or chicken dish. Consider serving up ice cream, milkshakes, or popsicles alongside of your wedding cake.

If you’re getting married in the summer, don’t forget about those pesky mosquitoes. Have a few bottles of insect repellent handy at the bash. You might also want to consider lighting a few carefully placed citronella candles at the ceremony and reception, too.

While having sunny skies on your big day is a blessing, it can also be a curse. When you’re setting up your outdoor ceremony spot make sure that your “I dos” won’t take place directly in the glaring light. This will help you avoid squinty eyes in all those ceremony snaps. You can also provide parasols to provide some shade or give out sunglasses as your favors.

If you're getting married in the winter, don't forget to factor in a chance of snow. If it's snowing on your big day, you should probably relocate indoors. Even if you do have your wedding inside, you can still slip out for a few minutes to have your photographer capture some sweet and wintry shots. Don't forget to have the venue salt all of the walkways and parking lots to ensure that guests don't slip on their way into your nuptials.