Photo Credit: Anne Surface
Important Elements of an Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
I live in the midwest in the Kansas City area. The area is known for its unpredictable weather. Kansas City also is in tornado alley and we get our fair share of severe weather during the months of April, May and June. So why am I taking such a huge risk by having my wedding ceremony outdoors on May 1st? I love spring. I love the sense of new beginnings it brings. The flowers, the trees, the sunshine—it’s the perfect season for a wedding. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t go into planning my outdoor wedding blindly. Below are just a few things I’ve considered so far in planning my outdoor wedding.
The Backup Plan. One of the first things I considered for my outdoor wedding was a backup plan. If you’re considering an outdoor wedding, it’s great to think you’re getting married outdoors rain or shine, but who really wants their guests to sit through a ceremony soaking wet or in wind tunnel? It is not ideal and your guests will not be happy. Speak with your venue about rain plans. Usually venues can provide great and creative alternatives to outdoor events.
Photo Credit: AffordableUtahWeddings.com
Consider Comfort. Another thing to consider for your outdoor wedding is making sure your guests are comfortable. If your outdoor wedding is during a warm time of year, a great idea is to turn your programs into fans. Guests will be sure to keep cool during the ceremony. If it’s going to be chilly during your wedding, a fun idea is to drape shawls in your wedding colors across the back of chairs so your female guests can wrap one around them if they get chilly. It’s also a great way to dress up your chairs.
Provide Seating. Don’t forgo chairs for your guests. Even if you keep the ceremony short and sweet, guests will want to know where their chairs are. For most venues, you are responsible for renting your own chairs. Check out the rental companies in your area and compare rates. Be sure to ask about the set up and take down and if there is an additional charge.
Photo Credit: CeremoniesIdo.com
Simple Décor. One good thing about an outdoor ceremony is, depending on your venue, décor can be minimal. If you’re going to be on the grass, you can easily dress up your pews with pomanders on shepherd’s hooks. Since my ceremony is outdoors and my wedding is indoors, I’ve planned the décor in a way that it can be used both indoors and outdoors (just incase!).
Appropriate Attire. Your wedding attire should go with the theme of your outdoor wedding. If you’re having an outdoor wedding in the spring or summer, why not choose light weight fabrics or light colored suits. Also, as the bride, you certainly don’t want to stand outside in the heat sweating in a heavy dress with tons of tulle.
Photo Credit: SnippetandInk.blogspot.com
Let it Happen. Finally, I plan on trying not to stress about the weather. It is something beyond my control and I’ve already accepted that the wedding may need to be indoors. Even if you have your heart set on having your wedding outdoors, don’t be too disappointed or let it ruin your special day if it’s not. The most important thing is that you are marrying your soul mate and in the end, it doesn’t matter whether you say your “I dos” outside or in.
Inside the Outside Wedding
Photo Credit: Anne Surface
Important Elements of an Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
I live in the midwest in the Kansas City area. The area is known for its unpredictable weather. Kansas City also is in tornado alley and we get our fair share of severe weather during the months of April, May and June. So why am I taking such a huge risk by having my wedding ceremony outdoors on May 1st? I love spring. I love the sense of new beginnings it brings. The flowers, the trees, the sunshine—it’s the perfect season for a wedding. Don’t get me wrong. I didn’t go into planning my outdoor wedding blindly. Below are just a few things I’ve considered so far in planning my outdoor wedding.
The Backup Plan. One of the first things I considered for my outdoor wedding was a backup plan. If you’re considering an outdoor wedding, it’s great to think you’re getting married outdoors rain or shine, but who really wants their guests to sit through a ceremony soaking wet or in wind tunnel? It is not ideal and your guests will not be happy. Speak with your venue about rain plans. Usually venues can provide great and creative alternatives to outdoor events.
Photo Credit: AffordableUtahWeddings.com
Consider Comfort. Another thing to consider for your outdoor wedding is making sure your guests are comfortable. If your outdoor wedding is during a warm time of year, a great idea is to turn your programs into fans. Guests will be sure to keep cool during the ceremony. If it’s going to be chilly during your wedding, a fun idea is to drape shawls in your wedding colors across the back of chairs so your female guests can wrap one around them if they get chilly. It’s also a great way to dress up your chairs.
Provide Seating. Don’t forgo chairs for your guests. Even if you keep the ceremony short and sweet, guests will want to know where their chairs are. For most venues, you are responsible for renting your own chairs. Check out the rental companies in your area and compare rates. Be sure to ask about the set up and take down and if there is an additional charge.
Photo Credit: CeremoniesIdo.com
Simple Décor. One good thing about an outdoor ceremony is, depending on your venue, décor can be minimal. If you’re going to be on the grass, you can easily dress up your pews with pomanders on shepherd’s hooks. Since my ceremony is outdoors and my wedding is indoors, I’ve planned the décor in a way that it can be used both indoors and outdoors (just incase!).
Appropriate Attire. Your wedding attire should go with the theme of your outdoor wedding. If you’re having an outdoor wedding in the spring or summer, why not choose light weight fabrics or light colored suits. Also, as the bride, you certainly don’t want to stand outside in the heat sweating in a heavy dress with tons of tulle.
Photo Credit: SnippetandInk.blogspot.com
Let it Happen. Finally, I plan on trying not to stress about the weather. It is something beyond my control and I’ve already accepted that the wedding may need to be indoors. Even if you have your heart set on having your wedding outdoors, don’t be too disappointed or let it ruin your special day if it’s not. The most important thing is that you are marrying your soul mate and in the end, it doesn’t matter whether you say your “I dos” outside or in.