Successful Outdoor Wedding Planning?

Author, Brittany Champion

Couples are becoming more and more interested in outdoor weddings. The beauty of nature offers the perfect backdrop, providing the bride and groom with wedding-day photos to be forever cherished. Weather, as we all know, can be quite unpredictable. Even with careful date selection, some couples are incapable of dodging the inevitable. If you’re from a state such as Chicago or Seattle, you’re gambling with rain and wind. As a push in the right direction, I’ve listed some effective steps couples can take to prevent a total outdoor-wedding-meltdown. Be sure to add them to your wedding-day checklist or discuss them with your event planner.

1) Rain, Rain, Go Away

Rain can be an absolute spoiler. Everyone, including the wedding planner, will get the “oh my goodness” expression at the first sight of drizzle, let alone a full downpour. As a preventative measure, try booking with a venue that offers both, an outdoor and indoor rental option. In the event there is a terrible downpour, your wedding won’t be an immediate disaster. Also, if the aforementioned isn’t an option, be sure to rent a STURDY tent that will allow some flexibility with the weather conditions. If you’re from a rainy state, (ahem, Seattle readers this is for you), try offering guest small umbrellas to be extra precautionary. You can even color coordinate them with the wedding!

In the excitement of planning an outdoor wedding, couples have a tendency to forget some important guests amenities. In Chicago, Buckingham Fountain is one of the most beautiful places to host your outdoor wedding, however, the restroom access is few and far between. Be sure to fully inspect your location beforehand and ask site operators about bathroom accessibility. This is exceptionally important for elderly guests or guests requiring wheelchair assistance. Portable toilets are a great alternative as we’ll.

 * If your event will be in a city park, be sure to ask about all permits needed and waste management.

 3) Pest Control

If permitted by site facilitators, be sure to include citronella candles and insect traps as wedding essentials. They may not be able to capture all flies, bees, and mosquitoes but they’ll be a huge help.

When competing with the everyday hustle and bustle of pedestrians, sound can get a bit distorted. Be sure to check the sound system included in the space rental. If outsourcing, speak with the technician about microphones and voice projection.The officiant must be heard and quest will enjoy your vows all the more.

Wedding Welcome Favors

5) Warm up & Cool Down