6 Crucial Details You CAN’T Forget When Planning Your Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
Venue: Basil Place
Photographer: Joyful Vows
An outdoor wedding ceremony can provide a couple with a picturesque backdrop for the most important day of their life together.
Yet while the reward of an outdoor ceremony can be great, the risk cannot be ignored.
Outdoor wedding ceremonies are beautiful and possible, but couples cannot ignore certain factors when planning an outdoor ceremony. The first, and most important, factor when planning an outdoor wedding ceremony is the location.
Duh…right?
Floral Designer: Andrew Thomas Designs
Photographer: Joyful Vows
Yes, that may seem obvious, but the location decision is crucial because every other decision you make in planning your outdoor ceremony will revolve around the location you choose.
Some outdoor locations are built specifically for wedding ceremonies and therefore have certain packages available for your convenience. Plus they typically have the basic necessities like bathrooms, electricity, chairs, and more.
But if you want to host your wedding on a beach or in a remote area that isn’t typically set up for ceremonies, you’ll find yourself planning and renting a lot more than you may realize.
I have to note…anything is possible. You can turn any location into a gorgeous, picturesque wedding, but everything comes at a cost.
So when it comes to planning your outdoor wedding ceremony, there are 6 components you CANNOT forget to consider.
Photographer: Kevin Chuey Photo
Venue: Music Box Supper Club
Backup Plan
No matter where you live, a backup plan is a necessity for an outdoor wedding. Whether it’s rain, wind, cold, or excessive heat, outdoor ceremonies are always at the mercy of the elements which is completely out of your control.
That’s why all couples need an A plan and a B plan. Here’s the thing, though.
Your B plan can’t be garbage.
Why? Well, depending on typical weather in your wedding location, the odds of needing the B plan are decent especially if you, like me, live in northeast Ohio.
So you have to be more than okay with Plan B in the event that it actually occurs. I always ensure that my brides love their Plan B, and we make a plan for a “time call”.
What’s that mean?
Well, we set an exact time that we determine if we’re moving to Plan B, and my bride is the final person to make the call.
If we move to Plan B, we discuss it, but in the end, it’s her choice.
Venue: The Shoreby Club
Photographer: Style and Story
2. Sound
If you want any guests beyond the first couple of rows to hear your vow exchange, the readings, and the officiant’s words, you’ll need to plan for a production team and sound checks.
Outdoor ceremonies will always compete with the sound of wind. Plus, the lack of walls doesn’t allow sound to carry as well.
So I heavily suggest a production company to plan your sound for ceremony musicians and speakers.
They will be able to outfit your groom and your officiant with wireless and/or lapel microphones so all guests can enjoy the ceremony and hear without issue.
Venue: The Shoreby Club
Photographer: Style and Story
3. Access to the location
This is one that seems to slip by brides until it’s too late. When I talk about access to the ceremony location, I don’t just mean for guests and the couple. I’m also referring to the vendors who are bringing in chair rentals, florals, and more.
Everyone has to be able to access the ceremony site with (relative) ease.
When guests enter the space, do you want their heels sinking into the ground? It’s also important to think about guests who may have trouble walking, are in a wheelchair, or have walkers to assist them.
I’m sure you don’t want people tripping, getting dirty, or struggling.
That’s why rentals exist to create walkways where one may not originally exist. Your planner should be able to properly advise you and give ideas about creating walkways for guests and vendors.
Venue: Basil Place
Photographer: Joyful Vows
4. Rentals
Depending on location, you will need to rent several additional items to accommodate your guests and ceremony set up.
Some locations have an outdoor set up specifically for weddings which may include chairs and even a backdrop where the bride and groom exchange vows. However, if you choose a more remote location, you may have to rent chair, a backdrop of some sort, an aisle/walkway, and more.
5. Decor/Florals
Floral Designer: Andrew Thomas Designs
Photographer: Joyful Vows
Typically outdoor wedding ceremonies do not need a ton of flowers or decor because the location is usually beautiful in itself.
However, one important factor that many couples forget when considering decor and flowers is the wind. No matter the decor, everything should be secured so that the wind does not disturb or blow anything away.
Your wedding planner should be on site to ensure that decor and florals are properly fixed.
6. Bathrooms
If your ceremony location is remote, you and your guests may not have access to a bathroom. There are companies that rent very nice portable bathrooms (not a typical portapotty).
Your wedding planner should check with the person in charge at the location site to ensure that you have a bathroom nearby.
Other considerations:
Available umbrellas for rain or excessive heat/sun
Programs that are also fans for heat
Reserved seating for immediate family
An outdoor wedding ceremony can be absolutely stunning especially when you properly plan for any circumstance that can arise.
Having a wedding planner for an outdoor wedding is basically a must so that you can relax knowing everything is taken care of while you enjoy your big day.
