How to Plan an Outdoor Wedding 10 Must-Know Tips
Outdoor weddings are so dreamy. There’s something so magical about saying “I do” out in nature, under the expanse of the sky and in the elements. Whether it’s in woodland for a rustic ceremony, a boho wedding by a lake, in a field for a festival style affair or on the beach – outdoor weddings offer couples countless opportunities.
All of that said – there are some extra factors to consider when planning an outdoor wedding ceremony. They can prove to be a precarious thing without the right planning. That’s why it’s important to plan carefully and look at all of the variables.
As a Humanist wedding celebrant, I’ve done lots of weddings outside. The below is based on my professional experience as well as my lived experience as a bride planning an outdoor wedding!
1. Plan for ALL weather
Even if you think that getting married in the middle of the summer is a sure bet, always bear in mind that the weather can be unpredictable and changeable with very little (or no) notice.
Not that this needs to deter you. As the phrase goes - “there’s no such thing as bad weather – just bad planning.” Putting some simple steps in place can deter soggy vows and drenched guests.
If your wedding is entirely outside, say in a field with no barns or structures as backup, hiring a marquee is extremely good idea. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes to suit the theme of your day, from Moroccan style, to beautifully ornate Indian tents, through to more traditional options. Even if the weather is perfect and you don’t need to use a marquee for practical reasons on the day, it can create a beautiful secondary setting.
2. Consider comfortable wedding shoes
Always be aware of the ground underfoot. Expensive heels sinking into mud is not what you want your guests to remember about your wedding. When planning an outdoor ceremony, it helps to tell guests what type of footwear to bring.
If you’re getting married in a field or a forest for example, it’s advisable to suggest flat shoes or even wellies. For a more personal wedding touch, you can buy wellies and umbrellas for guests with your wedding date printed on as a wedding keepsake.
When I got married in an outdoor festival style wedding, I had a pair of Converse on standby! Great for adverse underfloor footing and also if your heels get uncomfortable as the day wears on (you don’t want anything to get in the way of you dancing!). While many brides like the idea of wearing heels, I suggest having a pair of comfortable bridal shoes as well.
3. Know that sunshine can be as problematic as rain!
When people weigh up what could go wrong on their big day (weather wise), they usually imagine storms and flash floods. But having a wedding in the heat is not without its own issues. Older guests and children in particular, may struggle with a hot climate. The last thing you want is granny passing out or people getting heat stroke!
It’s therefore worth considering what shade people will have when seated during the ceremony and when sitting for a meal. Picking a shaded spot under some trees can prove to be a real blessing.
Again, you can plan in advance and hand out branded fans that people can take home as gifts.
Heat can also mean flowers wilting prematurely. If you’re planning on wearing a floral headdress, swapping out real florals for silk can be a real saving grace. Quality silk flowers are practically undetectable, and it means you will look stunning all day.
4. Microphones can make all the difference
This a big consideration for outdoor wedding ceremonies. All it takes is the wind to be blowing in the wrong direction to mean those sitting more than a few rows back are unable to hear. Nesting birds in a tree and the sound of distant traffic can also spoil your wedding ceremony and make it inaudible.
Depending on the size of your gathering, as a wedding celebrant I nearly always recommend microphones for larger outdoor weddings. The configuration of the seating is also key, but realistically if you are planning on having more than 60 or so guests outdoors, it is often hard for people in the back to hear.
Sometimes couples aren’t keen on the sound of an amplified ceremony, but there are lots of ways to get around this. For instance, discrete lapel mics that can be clipped on rather than handheld mics which may spoil photos.
5. Check your location’s facilities
This is very important! Especially if you’re getting married somewhere remote, on private land or somewhere that isn’t set-up for regular events. A location might look ridiculously pretty, but how can it be a great wedding location if it holds little facilities?
When choosing a location, consider:
How many loos are there vs. the number of guests you have coming?
Is there power? If so, is it run on a generator – what is the backup plan in case it goes down?
Do you have good access to running water?!
Many things can be hired in, but the last thing you want is any surprises on your day.
6. Pay extra attention to lighting
Lighting is something that isn’t often considered much with indoor weddings. If you’re planning on partying outside into the night however, it’s something you want to get just right.
Check in advance to see what the lighting is like at your outdoor wedding venue. If it’s somewhere that regularly hosts weddings and events, they may be well set-up. But I suggest asking your venue to send you some photos of your location during the evening as well so that you get an idea of lighting at all times of the day.
It can be a fine balance; getting something that sets the right mood and ambiance without being blinded in horribly bright, harsh white light. Festoon lighting with lovely warm coloured bulbs can be a great way to set the scene. Candle lanterns are also lovely. When the sun goes down, there is nothing prettier than an outdoor path flanked with flaming torches or tea lights in bags – an inexpensive and very effective option.
7. Enquire about the grounds
An added bonus of planning an outdoor wedding ceremony: the natural beauty of an outdoor setting can often serve as a large part of the decoration in and of itself!
When you’re visiting venues, it’s always good to ask what the grounds are like in the month that you are actually going to be getting married. I remember being pleasantly surprised - we’d originally visited our wedding venue in February and the next time we went wasn’t until our wedding the following August. When we got there, the grounds had totally transformed and were in full bloom!
If, on the other hand, you’re worried that the outdoor setting you’ve picked might not be looking as blooming on your wedding day, you can always plan for this. It can be lovely to supplement the space with extra flower arrangements – either fresh or dry – and you can hire in potted plants, succulents and shrubs relatively inexpensively if you need any extra foliage.
8. Find an outdoor wedding photographer
Being able to capture beautiful wedding photos indoors doesn’t mean a photographer can also do the same in an outdoor setting. While most wedding photographers are well experienced with both, it’s worth double checking! Taking professional photos outside often means additional equipment, such as light meters and different exposures.
9. Be aware of bugs
Depending on your chosen location, this might not be a consideration for you. But it is definitely something you want to check out ahead of time! Depending on the time of year, woodland weddings can prove to be problematic on this front and the last thing you want is your guests being eaten to death by mosquitos!
To keep bugs, mosquitos, flies away from an outdoor wedding you can make a feature of citronella candles that are placed around pathways and on tables. There are also certain flowers mosquitos dislike, like lavender and marigolds – you could put these on your tables as wedding décor or in your bouquet. They also hate peppermint, so cocktails served with lashings of mint can prove a good deterrent!
10. Explore transport options
If your whole wedding is outside and spread across different areas of land, providing transport for guests can be a real godsend. If you are going really rural, horses and cart or even tractors are much appreciated by weary guests wearing high heels or older family members.
As a Humanist wedding celebrant, some of the most special weddings I’ve conducted have been outside. As outdoor wedding ceremonies can be so magical, do not let the practical details put you off! Yes, there can be more to consider compared to a traditional indoor wedding, but the pay of is huge.
If you’d like to hear more about how to make your wedding ceremony truly personal with a Humanist outdoor wedding ceremony, get in touch here.