Planning the intimate details of your dreamy outdoor ceremony is an exciting and marvelous time. It’s easy to get whisked away in the aesthetic aspects of your ceremony, like your décor, color scheme, and floral pieces. But it’s important to also consider the technical aspects of having an outdoor wedding and how to properly prepare for one.
Neglecting To Make a Backup Plan
Creating a backup plan for your outdoor ceremony is a must. Although beautiful and scenic, outdoor ceremonies can leave you at the mercy of the environmental elements. Rain, snow, or other unwanted weather conditions can leave you and your guests feeling helpless and stranded.
Speak to your venue coordinator about moving the ceremony to another location inside the venue in the event of poor weather. Ask if they have a plan for these situations and how proactive they are about moving around the ceremony setup for a successful transition indoors.
Not Providing Guests With Comfort
The outdoors can be unpredictable. While it may not rain or snow on your wedding day, there’s a chance that you and your guests could encounter extreme heat or extreme cold. It’s a good idea to check the weather forecast a week prior and order sun umbrellas or paper fans to offer guests some relief during the ceremony.
Not Considering Sunset and Peak Sun Hours
Another mistake to avoid when planning your outdoor ceremony is not considering sunset and the peak sun hours. There are certain times of the day when the sun is at its peak, feels the hottest, or begins to sink into the horizon.
If you want a sunset wedding, determine the time of day the sun will set and schedule your ceremony around that time. If not, choose an earlier time depending on your time zone. You should also avoid having your ceremony during peak hours of the day so your guests won’t have to suffer and bake in the uncomfortable heat. This is especially important if you’re having a summer wedding.
Not Checking Power Sources
Acoustics are an essential part of outdoor weddings. You need power sources for your DJ, live band, and microphone so your guests can hear your and your partner’s beautiful vows to one another. Without a power source, it will be harder to play music during your bridal party entrances or your grand entrance.
It’s important to ensure the venue has power sources so that you may utilize the microphone and other amplifiers during the ceremony.
Not Providing Refreshments
Not providing refreshments is another mistake you want to avoid when planning your outdoor ceremony. If the weather is very hot or extremely cold, make sure that your guests have access to beverages that will keep them hydrated and cool or warm.
You can provide ice water infused with fruit for your summer wedding or hot chocolate and coffee for your winter wedding. There are many excellent options available to help accommodate your guests for optimal comfort.
Not Checking for Restrictions
While the venue you choose may be beautiful and scenic, there are often restrictions put in place by the venue owners. These restrictions ensure the integrity of the property remains intact and that district or city rules are followed.
Some restrictions may include:
- No sparklers
- No amplifiers
- No non-biodegradable confetti or flower petals
- No alcoholic beverages
- No loud music after a certain time
- No high guest counts over a certain limit
- No pets
- No fires
- No fireworks
- No smoke machines
If any of these components are important to you and essential for you to have your dream wedding, consider going with another outdoor venue that allows them.
Planning an outdoor ceremony can be overwhelming, but we hope this quick guide helps you navigate wedding planning and makes the process easier.
