Outdoor weddings offer charm and natural splendor. When planning your wedding, you’ll want to make it clear to guests that it’s outside, so they can dress accordingly. You also want to be sure you stick to a budget with all the necessities you may need to rent. There’s so much to love about outdoor weddings! Plus, you can easily include your pet. Below are some tips for planning the perfect outdoor wedding.
What’s to love
If you’re an outdoorsy couple, odds are that you appreciate the natural beauty of being outdoors and want to incorporate that into your wedding. Think of watching the sunset on your wedding day, dancing outside with those you love the most and all the spring and summer blooms. Having your wedding outside also opens up the space, so your venue will never feel crowded. Outside venues also provide beautiful backdrops, so you’re sure to have stunning wedding photos.
Highlight the lighting
The sun will most likely provide lighting throughout the day, but if it’s cloudy during the day and when it becomes night, you’ll want to have proper lighting. Lighting also helps set the mood. Consider adding paper lanterns, string lights, twinkling lights, chandeliers, small light-ups along the paths, tea lights, lights in mason jars and pin spot lighting to your wedding decor.
Choose an overhead covering
Tents and canopies come in all shapes, sizes and materials, so you can definitely find an elegant one for a wedding. Be sure to choose one that not only fits your wedding’s vibe but also the space your venue has. Consider the surface as well, and if it’s going to be on the grass or pavement. This way, you and your guests are able to enjoy some shaded time away from the sun, and if it rains, you’ll have a covering.
Have a backup plan
So, what do you do if it does rain? Just a little water falling from the sky won’t ruin your wedding day, but a thunderstorm can. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, be sure to have a backup plan. Having a tent will provide shelter from the rain, but you might also want to consider providing your guests with umbrellas as they move from place to place. If it’s going to get a bit chilly, consider providing blankets and heat fans. If it’s going to get really hot, you may want to rent industrial fans and give guests hand fans. Having a backup plan is all about catering to the potential weather.
Enhance your wedding with decor
Tents are typically one color, most often white, so you can treat it as a blank canvas to get creative with. Think about curtains with tiebacks, citronella candles in different colors and designs – because let’s be real, you can’t have an outdoor wedding without bugs – and include lounging spaces with throw pillows. If you create a space for guests to lounge, they won’t be tied to their tables and will be encouraged to mingle. Other details you can include are pomanders and colored linens to make the space feel comfortable and cozy. You can also add signage to direct your guests from the ceremony to the cocktail hour, reception and restrooms.
Finally, the menu and other necessary details
What’s fun about an outside wedding is you can get really creative with the food. Think about a Southern barbeque, a Hawaiian cookout or a seafood boil. Also, have cold and refreshing drinks on hand, especially if it’s a summer wedding. Be sure your caterer is prepared to handle an outdoor wedding and prep other necessities as needed.
Book the venue for your outdoor wedding early
The Club at Indian Creek has indoor and outdoor capabilities. We offer a full spectrum of services that can be tailored to your special event requests including seating, tables, china, linens, trained bartenders and staff and a gorgeous outdoor veranda. Contact us today to discuss your wedding!
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