How to Plan a Small Outdoor Wedding

Learn what you need to do to plan an outdoor wedding.

Outdoor weddings are romantic, fresh and beautiful. They combine the splendor of natural surroundings with the joy of a blessed event. But an event in the outdoors does pose some problems and challenges. Planning a small outdoor wedding requires a few more steps than planning a standard indoor event does.

Instructions

1. Select your date appropriately. If you are intent on an outdoor wedding, it is crucial to select a date that will be warm and comfortable in your area. While a spring day may be very comfortable in Florida, the weather on the same date could be cold, or even snowy, in North Dakota or Minnesota. In the same way, an outdoor wedding in the height of hurricane season (fall) is not a good idea for Gulf Coast or East Coast weddings. It is wise to plan for possible extreme weather. Look into renting heating or cooling units to keep your guests comfortable. The time of day is also an important choice, as you will want guests to be able to enjoy the wedding without being blinded by the setting sun.

2. Choose a location. Outdoor weddings often take place in parks, back yards, gardens, golf clubs, beaches, and resorts. Select a location that matches the vision you have for your special day by visiting websites and actual locations. If you want a wedding tent, be sure to select a venue that can accommodate one (the size of the tent will be determined by the size of your guest list). Some gardens will accommodate various numbers of guests. An advantage to a small wedding is that your ceremony can take place nearly anywhere. Look into using an old, beautiful church yard or the gardens of a historic home in your area. Other factors to consider: traffic noise, construction, permits and bugs.

3. Have a backup plan. Many outdoor wedding locations are near a building with meeting rooms. Talk to the person associated with the location and inquire about possible solutions to weather problems. Because your wedding is small, you should be able to set up an indoor backup plan with relative ease.

4. Decide on rental needs. If you will be using a wedding tent for all or part of the event, discuss the size of the tent and any necessary accessories with your rental company. Also, will you need an arbor or other focal point for the ceremony? You will most likely need to rent chairs, tables, linens, a dance floor, dinnerware, a sound system and lights. Even though your event is small, it will still require these basic accommodations. If you choose a remote location, you may have to rent power generators and portable toilets.

5. Create the wedding atmosphere. Although the outdoor wedding is decorated by nature, you may wish to add other embellishments. Candles, ribbon, fabrics, lighting, and flowers add elegance, style and intimacy to a small outdoor wedding.

6. Carefully select food and beverages. Keep in mind that some foods must be kept chilled or heated. Avoid foods with mayonnaise bases as they spoil quickly in the warm outdoors. Alcohol is dehydrating, so you may wish to provide lemonade, tea, or punch instead. Hire a caterer who is experienced with outdoor weddings. A small guest list will require less food, so you may be able to provide a more elaborate meal.

References

• That's the Spirit: Weddings