The idyllic notion of celebrating your “I dos” with an outdoor wedding often brings to mind breathtaking landscapes, whispering breezes, and the symphony of birdsong witnessing your love story. There’s nothing like celebrating amid nature – the flowers, green grass, lovely ponds . . . The scenery and landscape of outdoor sites can’t be beat!
However, planning an outdoor wedding has its own unique needs that have to be taken care of and addressed before the big day. You’re thinking about your linens and centerpieces and music – all of the exciting elements for your wedding day. But there are other things that you will have to think about – and unfortunately some of them aren’t fun, and certainly aren’t glamorous or pretty. But they are oh, so necessary.
This blog post is your guide for what to look for in a venue if you’re considering planning your dream outdoor wedding.
How Popular Is An Outdoor Wedding?
The trend of having an outdoor wedding is not waning. Recent statistics show that 68% of wedding ceremonies and 59% of receptions were held outdoors. (2020 Statistics via Statista.com)
Well, why not? You’ll likely have more versatility and flexibility with décor, often more space to work with, flexibility with the layout and placement of tents, tables, and chairs. And who can deny the beauty of the great outdoors?
A common desire to hold their wedding outdoors lies in the importance of connecting with nature. Natural décor elements such as wood, stones, pampas grass, branches, and of course flowers; seating like benches, tree stumps or logs, hay bales, or blankets. Even color palettes draw inspiration and are more earthy – such as greens, browns, and blues.
Choosing the Perfect Outdoor Wedding Venue
Types of outdoor wedding venues
Considering an outdoor wedding brings to mind several different types of venues, including: a barn/farm, botanical garden, local, state, or national park, the beach – even your backyard.
Selecting the ideal outdoor wedding site
Before you make any concrete plans, be sure to address the following logistical needs and concerns. That way, if you find that what you are wanting is doable, you can confidently proceed with your plans. However, if there’s any type of hitch, you’ll have time to make adjustments or consider a different venue style instead, and not have to deal with changing any contracts.
Selecting the perfect outdoor wedding venue brings it’s own list of things to consider, such as:
- Use of the Space
Will it be for the ceremony only? Reception only? Maybe both? If you do want your reception outdoors as well, are you planning a simple cocktail reception, or a more traditional dinner and dancing?
Needs for the ceremony only will be much simpler. Space for the chairs to be set up, and perhaps an arch or other altar décor. Perhaps a table or two for a guest book or programs. And that’s about it.
However, if it will be for the reception, you will need to consider space for all the tables and chairs, and décor items (linens, centerpieces, etc.) as well as the behind-the-scenes needs such as catering prep, storage (your décor and linens and all the other stuff that was brought in came in boxes, racks, hangers, etc., right?)
- Accessibility
How easy will it be to bring in for vendors to bring in tables, chairs, linens and other rentals, DJ equipment, fans/AC units, etc.? Unlike traditional venues, the great outdoors does not have a loading dock.
How easy will it be for your guests to get on site? Will they have to walk along a rocky path? Maybe through muddy dirt if it recently rained? What about any guests with mobility issues (wheelchair/walker)?
- Size
Is there adequate room for comfortable placement of everything you’ll need (e.g. seating, ceremony arch, tables, caterers and bar prep/set up for receptions), portable toilets, and so forth?
- Season/Weather
It’s important to visit the space at the same time of year as when your wedding will take place. Will it be rainy or humid? Will your guests be sitting in shade or under the hot sun? Weather related factors such as rain, wind, temperatures (hot and cold), and even the sun (time of sunset and the placement in the sky) will differ at various times of the year.
You may need to bring in a tent, with AC or heat if necessary.
To beat the heat, have hand held fans, or parasols or umbrellas on hand for guests to use. For outdoor ceremonies, have water or other cool (non-alcoholic) drinks available.
- Your Budget
Outdoor weddings can add easily extras to your budget. Unless is it a venue specifically designed to host weddings, it is unlikely that there will be tables, chairs, linens, and such already on site for your use. So make sure to budget for all these items.
- Outdoor Wedding Menu Ideas and Considerations
Some foods and drink options just don’t hold up well outside, and many outdoor sites don’t have adequate refrigeration units to properly store foods. Sweet foods and drinks – fruit salads, sangria punch, wine and soda, and wedding cake will attract little buggies, particularly ants, flies and mosquitos. Also, dairy or mayo based foods don’t hold up well in hot weather.
It’s helpful to select foods that use seasonal ingredients, such as asparagus or artichokes in the spring or eggplants or squash in autumn.
- Electricity
That outdoor site you have your eye on may be pretty, but where will you plug for any electrical needs? You’ll need power for your DJ, lighting, fans, caterers, etc. Find out from each how much amperage and wattage they will need, and also find out what is available on site. If there is no on-site electric, or what is there just won’t be adequate power for your event, you’ll need to rent a generator.
- Water
What about water? I don’t mean for drinking, but for cooking, clean-up, including washing dishes, and the restrooms. Is there water access for the caterers and for restrooms? Determine how many faucets will be needed, and check to see how many water faucets are available on site.
- Restroom Facilities
Nature’s gonna call, so this just kind of goes without saying. Are there any restrooms onsite or will you need to bring in some rental units? If you will be bringing in restroom units, what types of electrical and water hook-ups do they require?
- Trash
Does the site provide trash cans? If not, you will need to add these to your rentals list. Also, at the end of the evening, where does the trash go? Is there a dumpster on site, or will all trash have to be taken off-site at the end of the evening?
And if you’re having an at-home wedding you’re going to have way more trash than in a typical week, so you’ll need to find out if your trash collection company pick up everything.
- Parking
People have to park somewhere. Is there a parking lot within a reasonable walking distance? You don’t want it to be difficult or cumbersome for guests to actually get on site.
- Special Requirements
Planning an outdoor wedding is more than just setting up plans to bring in necessary tables, décor, food, and showing up on the day. Before any of that is done, you need to find out what is required, or even if it is permitted to hold a wedding at that site.
What are the HOA rules? Is alcohol permitted? Can a tent be erected? Is professional photography permitted? Are any special permits needed? These are just some of the questions you’ll need answered to ensure that your “I Dos” don’t turn into “We can’ts.”
Conclusion
Your love story deserves a setting as extraordinary as the commitment you’re making. As we reach the end of our journey through Nature’s Aisle, it’s evident that planning your dream outdoor wedding is not just about selecting a picturesque setting; but finding a setting that fulfills all the needs of a successful event. So embrace the uniqueness of an outdoor wedding celebration, where the open sky becomes your chapel and the landscape, your canvas.
Photo Credit: JC Colón from Pixabay
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
Author of “Wedding Invitations, RSVPs, and More! Oh My!” and “From ‘I Will’ to ‘I Do’”
Have questions about your wedding plans? Contact me today at [email protected] or by phone or text at 937-581-3647!
I love outdoor weddings! Ours was indoors but there was a lovely courtyard for people to spend some time outside 🙂
Corinne x
I love outdoor weddings too (when Mother Nature is cooperating, of course). The weddings that were outdoors (cither ceremony or reception) were some of my favorites to plan.
Outdoor wedding venues will be an inspiring event in our country . Though most people prefer indoor weddings but if we try this it will definitely be a hit .
Outdoor weddings are a lot of fun to plan, but they’re definitely not for everybody. I love that there’s always options.