Important Things To Account For When Planning Your Wedding Outdoors

Photo by: Safeena Noah

Hosting a wedding outdoors has always been a very popular choice for couples, especially when you live somewhere with incredible views! Recently, I’ve noticed a huge jump in this trend to enjoy your entire wedding in the great outdoors.  So I wanted to expand on my previous post with tips + tricks for planning an outdoor wedding, and point out a few things that maybe you never quite considered during the planning process. 

Seating

Photo by: Chuy Photography + Michelle Rodriguez 

One of the many pros to hosting a wedding outdoors, is that you can be really creative with the seating and decor! You can use the space as your inspiration and choose seating that goes with the atmosphere. For example, for this summer camp themed wedding in Big Bear, this couple had guests sit at picnic tables that were already on site. I’m also a fan of décor that’s a striking opposition. Such as a beautiful couch and lounge area or laying pillows on the ground for guests to sit on. Whatever you choose in your design, make it cohesive throughout the event! 

Transitional Spaces

Photo by: Tim Kwon

Weddings usually have specific “events” as part of the celebration as a whole. Generally there is a ceremony, cocktail hour, then reception, with some cultures having even more! While shopping around for the perfect outdoor venue, find a space that allows for three complete separate areas for each part, or at least two areas so guests can tuck away to one area while the other is flipped. For a guide on how to find the perfect venue, get a FREE download here!   

Environmental Friendly Options

Photo by: Mary Costa Weddings

A big thing to consider when planning an outdoor wedding is the environmental impact. If you throw confetti inside, it’s easy enough to clean up. But outside, it can make things trickier to clean up and can end up in waterways and really be a bad pollutant. Research eco-friendly options like biodegradable confetti and zero plastic straws at the bar. Make sure there is a plan in place for how to completely clear out a space of all trash and recycling at the end of the night. I always encourage clients to be as green as possible and even avoiding plastic water bottles or single use cups. Mother earth will thank you! My motto is to always leave spaces and places better than when we found them.

Guest Comforts

Photo by: Palms and Pines Photography

Probably the #1 thing to consider when planning a wedding outside is taking guest comforts into consideration. Is the wedding in the summer? Definitely plan for hot weather and a way to keep guests cool and hydrated. If the wedding is in the fall or winter season, plan for cooler temps and if you live in Southern California, that’s our rainy season. Other natural instances like wind, bugs or even fire should be accounted and planned for to keep your guests comfortable and happy! For more tips on this, check out this post.

Hidden Costs For Vendor Accessibility

Photo by: Kadi Tobin Photography

This is a little “man behind the curtain” but one of the main things I look for when planning a wedding outdoors, is the ability for vendors to have access. If you are getting married at an estate, you may not have permission to be inside, which would mean your catering staff will need to build a kitchen outside. Or it could mean you don’t have indoor plumbing for your guests either. These aren’t the most glamorous aspects of wedding planning but these additional items can really drive up your wedding budget and costs! Always ask the venue a thorough list of questions and what additional costs might need to be added on to accommodate key vendors.

If you’re ready to start planning your outdoor wedding, contact me on my homepage here and let’s chat!