Guidelines For A Successful

Outdoor Wedding

A beautiful outdoor setting can make your wedding an unforgettable experience for everyone. The natural backdrop of trees, mountains or ocean far exceed in beauty most indoor settings. The natural lighting of an outdoor wedding also makes for truly glorious pictures. To make it successful, however, there several important points to contemplate when you're planning a wedding outdoors. 

Location Is Key

The location of your wedding, of course, is a key consideration. If at all possible, try to find a venue that can provide a contingency plan in case the weather refuses to cooperate. Although you may prefer an outdoor setting, it is wise to choose a venue with an indoor facility that would be available in the event of inclement weather.

Select The Wedding Gown For Comfort

If you plan to be comfortable at your outdoor wedding, it will be important to dress appropriately for weather conditions. A strapless gown of lightweight fabric, for example, would not be appropriate for a fall or spring wedding if the temperatures at the wedding location tend to be low at these times of the year. By the same token, a dress with long sleeves and a high neckline would not be appropriate for a summertime outdoor wedding in a warm climate. Your comfort is paramount on your wedding day, so dress accordingly.

If having an outdoor wedding is important to you, then you'll want to plan it for a time of year when inclement weather is least likely. Research the weather history in your chosen location, and find the window of opportunity for the best weather.

Have The Guests' Backs To The Sun

When setting up your outdoor wedding, arrange the seating so that the sun at the guests' backs. For a morning wedding you will want to position the guests facing west, for afternoons, arrange the seating facing east. With the sun at their backs, they won't have to squint or shade their eyes. 

For a summer outdoor wedding, try to provide your guests with as much shade as possible. You can do this by choosing a setting with a number of large shade trees, and by planning your wedding for a time and date that would ensure abundant shade in the area. An elegant alternative is to provide a large tent or canopy for guest seating.

Acoustics For The Outdoors

For a summer wedding in a warm climate, be sure to keep plenty of drinks available for your guests. You'll be wise to have beverages such as water and juices available throughout the ceremony as well as the reception to protect your guests from discomfort and dehydration.

Acoustics tend to be one of the most problematic aspects of an outdoor wedding. Outdoor wedding guests are often unable to hear the proceedings. And if a wedding video is made, the voices of the minister or the couple reciting their vows are usually inaudible. Using a public address system for the ceremony will ensure that all guests are able to hear.

Color Choices For The Outdoors

Color choices for your outdoor wedding may be affected by the setting you select. Find out what flowers are in bloom in the area that includes the background, and choose your bridesmaid's dresses in a complimentary color. If your background will be a mountain, or the ocean, bright colors might work well. Depending on your preference, you may prefer a pastel color that won't clash with the palette of the natural setting.

Live Entertainment

For the entertainment, you might consider hiring a live band instead of a DJ. The natural sound of a live band is usually a better fit for the outdoors than the synthesized music of a DJ. A chamber ensemble, a harp, or a folk music group may be in keeping with the beauty of your natural surroundings.

Weather Updates For Guests

For out-of-town guests, you can prepare a mailing with details about the weather expectations for your wedding date so that they can prepare for the trip. You might also want to consider sending a weather update a few days prior to the wedding date if meteorologists are predicting unseasonable weather.

An outdoor wedding, if carefully planned and executed, can be a delightful and memorable event for the guests as well as the bride and groom.