Outdoor Wedding Tips

Outdoors or indoors? Outdoors if you’re on a limited budget. Outdoors if you expect less than 50 wedding guests, live near the ocean, and would rather spend $25,000 as a down payment on a four bedroom ranch than a sit down buffet with bacon-wrapped, herb-brined, roasted pork loin and pesto-marinated boneless leg of lamb. Here are some quick tips courtesy of Nina Calloway to get you started:


Comfort is king! What will the weather will likely be at the time of day and month of the year of your outdoor wedding. Sunny and hot? Don't leave your guests uncomfortably melting – have your ushers give guests ice-cold bottles of water as they are seated. Consider printing your wedding program on a fan so that guests may cool themselves.

Plan “B” What will you do if it rains? The ideal outdoor wedding location has an indoor location waiting just in case. Many brides and grooms opt to have their ceremony outside and reception inside. In a pinch, the tables can be scooted to the back of the room during the ceremony.

Do you hear what I hear? When you picture your dream wedding at the beach, you're probably not hearing the roaring of the waves, the rushing wind, or the local kids running and screaming around you. Look into renting a sound system with clip mikes for the bride, groom and officiant. Your DJ or band may be able to easily arrange this for you.

Nature’s own beauty. One of the bonuses of an outdoor wedding is the natural beauty around you, lessening your need for expensive decorations. Visit the site a week before your wedding to make sure the grass is mown, the ground raked, and the flowers have bloomed. If your wedding is at a public park, you may want to ask the groomsmen or friends to do this the morning of your ceremony. If it's been an especially cold season, you may need to supplement the flowers with some potted bulbs from a florist. Other decorations you may want to consider include an arch or trellis to focus the ceremony and frame the bride and groom as they say their vows; and strings of lights or lanterns in the trees.

Punch it up! Since alcohol is dehydrating, consider serving a variety of lemonades, teas and punches. Be sure to have plenty of ice and water around as well. For a fancy cocktail, why not serve a classic mint julep or a mojito? The mint will refresh and cool your guests.

Zap those bugs. Be sure to put out citronella candles or a bug zapper so that your guests won't spend the whole ceremony swatting at the air.

Here comes the sun. Consider timing your outdoor wedding for sunset where your guests will see you take your vows surrounded by the warm glow of the sun. Those having a daytime outdoor wedding should orient the ceremony so that the sun will be on guests' backs rather than in their eyes.

Follow the rules. Don't forget to contact your city parks department or other local government to get a permit for an outdoor wedding. Be sure to ask about rules concerning trash removal, candle or torch lighting, and pre-wedding photography.