A Wedding Outdoors
The first thing I tell couples planning for an outdoor wedding, have a contingency plan. On the day of you may struggle with anything from intense heat to rain to a bug infestation. Below you will get some tips that will help you prepare for a pleasant outdoor event.
Think about your guests. If you know it is going to be warm-hot season, consider having the ceremony in the evening around sunset. This time of day will not only make for beautiful pictures, your guests will thank you.
Have plenty of water and fans on hand. Check with your caterer on providing water bottles. If their price is too high, just stop by your local grocery store and grab several cases. Make your fans two-fold and have them double as programs. This is a great DIY project or you can have them professionally done if you want one less thing to worry about.
Book a venue that has an option to move your ceremony and reception indoors if it becomes necessary. If you are insistent on being outside, factor in the price of a tent just in case. Tents can be used in cases of light to moderate rain.
Check your surroundings. An outdoor wedding can encounter wind and loud onlookers. To work around that, make sure your DJ will be able to provide a sound system that can broadcast above the potential noise level. Also, when you are doing your walk-thru, look around for an adequate number of outlets.
Eeek… bugs! No one will be able to concentrate on enjoying the event if they are worried about being attacked by bugs. Ask the venue to spray bug repellent around the ceremony and reception sites one or two days in advance. Consider purchasing non-scent repellents that can be placed around the perimeter, out of site.
Select a menu that holds well in the heat. Consulting with your caterer is best and ask them their game plan for working with items that need to be kept cold.
