How to Plan an Outdoor Garden Wedding

Getting married outside in a beautiful garden can be a dream come true, but it's important to plan properly to have a fairytale wedding. Outdoor venues are susceptible to the elements, so you have to make arrangements for all contingencies.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Pick your date carefully. Take into consideration typical weather patterns around any possible dates. You want to avoid rain, wind, cold temperatures and excessively hot temperatures.

2. Decide on an "in case of rain" plan. If your wedding venue has a suitable indoor alternative, this can be reserved ahead of time just in case. Otherwise, you might want to consider reserving an appropriately sized tent to have on standby.

3. Create a lighting plan if your reception will be held outdoors at night. If your venue isn't already set up to light the reception area, you may have to bring in lighting and electricity separately.

4. Choose wedding colors. The garden location of your wedding should be your first stop for inspiration. Pick colors that blend into the flowers in the garden so your linens and other decorative elements complement the setting instead of compete with it.

5. Take your florist to your outdoor venue for inspiration. Any flowers used in wedding decor or attire should match those in the garden to convey a unified vision.

6. Pick wooden chairs for your outdoor wedding. Wooden chairs don't get as hot in the sun as metal chairs. Chiavari chairs and white folding wooden chairs go well with garden weddings.

7. Bring the garden theme into your wedding invitations. Floral prints and even dried pressed flowers are nice touches to let your guests know what to expect well in advance.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use open flame candles on your tables or elsewhere in your wedding, protect them from the wind using hurricane lamps.
• Be prepared for hot wedding days by having cool lemonade and hand fans available for guests before the wedding.
• Tents often sell out in busy wedding months, so reserve one as soon as you settle on a date and venue. You don't want to wait until the day before your wedding when it's pouring outside, because you might be out of luck.
• If you're eating outside as well, choose food that will not spoil or melt in the heat. Buttercream wedding cakes and food with mayonnaise are better suited to indoor receptions.
• Beware of bees, mosquitoes and other outdoor insects. Gardens are beautiful, but insects think so too. Citronella candles can be cleverly disguised as part of the decor.
• Plan to sweat in the heat. Apply a good deodorant/antiperspirant before the ceremony and keep a handkerchief and makeup handy in case you start to melt.