Things to Consider Before You Plan an Outdoor Wedding
Hosting your wedding outside is becoming more and more popular, and for good reason. Natural lighting and scenic landscapes are hard to beat when it comes to selecting a beautiful venue for your ceremony and reception. When an outdoor event goes well, it’s the best. However, when things go wrong, outdoor parties can quickly take a turn for the worse. Here’s our suggestions for things to consider before booking your outdoor venue.
Weather
This is probably the most obvious and the biggest stressor when it comes to weddings that are hosted outdoors. By the time you know that a rainstorm is in the forecast, the plans and show flow are already set. If you’re booking a venue that is outside in a place that gets rain during the season that you’re getting married, make sure there’s a reasonable contingency plan; the most ideal being that there is another space at the same venue that is indoors and can accommodate the same number of guests. Golf courses and country clubs are a great example of this. They host many weddings and often have multiple indoor and outdoor locations within the venue. Just make sure the venue isn’t double booked on your date so that you’re certain you and your vendors can quickly shift to the alternate space if needed.
If you’re getting married in a location with very little wind, consider yourself lucky. We’re a florist in Las Vegas, which is in a bowl shape surrounded by mountain ranges. We get strong winds all-year round, frequently reaching 25+ MPH. Since strong winds occur every single week, we always assume it will be windy for any outdoor project and we plan accordingly. If you’re getting married somewhere that you don’t live, check the annual weather patterns to determine if wind is something you need to take into consideration. It may seem like less of a problem as compared to rain, but trust us, even 15 MPH winds will ruin floral arrangements and make candles, tablecloths, lighting, and drapes unstable. It can also be very noisy if you have a tent set up for the reception and the wind picks up.
80 degrees Fahrenheit feels very different depending on the circumstances of the geographic location. Direct sunlight and high humidity can make a temperature like this pretty miserable after just a few minutes. Traditional wedding dresses are heavy. Suit jackets are made from thicker fabrics. Formal wear isn’t known for being particularly breathable and light. Consider what everyone will be wearing and determine if people will be comfortable outside for hours in the forecasted weather. The same thing goes for cold temperatures. A crisp, 50 degree fall afternoon is nice for a short walk. It’s not so fun when it’s 9pm, the sun has set, there’s a gust, and your reception has four more hours to go. Those portable heaters just won’t cut it and trust that your guests will be leaving early to get out of the cold.
Wildlife
If you’re getting married outside, animals and bugs will likely be a factor. We attended a wedding outside at a golf course and a curious deer wandered in less than ten feet from the ceremony seating area. Luckily it became bored and left, but had it gotten closer, it would have stalled the ceremony and possibly been a safety hazard. A wedding we recently provided floral services at had an unexpected rooster on the grounds loudly crowing the entire evening. The ceremony was outside and you could hear the sounds. These are pretty harmless examples of how an animal can throw a wrench into your event. However, more serious things can occur if, for example, a guest is allergic to bees or there are dangerous animals in the area. If you’re getting married in a rural spot, ensure there are safety protocols in place if animals could be nearby. If you’re serving food outside in the middle of the woods, don’t be surprised when a bear wanders in. If you’re having a ceremony in the Mojave Desert, you’ll need to think about things like scorpions and snakes.
Planes, Trains, and Cars
This is one that couples don’t anticipate usually. Unless you’re getting married in the middle of nowhere, the possibility of noises from planes and motor vehicles is very probable. Some sounds of the city here and there during the reception aren’t a huge deal, but a police siren going off while you recite you vows could ruin a once-in-a-lifetime moment for you. When you do a venue walkthrough, spend some time outside and listen for the surrounding activity. Is it right under a flight path? Are there train tracks half a mile away? We know of a popular venue that is down the street from a trauma center hospital. Guess what you hear going by all day and night?
Unexpected Expenses
Last, but certainly not least, are the additional costs you’ll encounter when getting married outside. This doesn’t apply for every venue, as some are fully equipped and set up for outside events. We’re more talking about blank outdoor spaces like a backyard, national park, orchard, etc. Bringing in all the things required to put on a live event can get very expensive, very fast. Tent rentals, power generators (also dangerous, make sure you have a professional handle these), extension cords, sound equipment, stages, tables, chairs, lighting, catering equipment, and restrooms are all rentals you’ll need to book. Backyard weddings are not cheap unless you’re just hosting an intimate ceremony with the immediately family and it’s basically a weekend potluck with some nicer outfits. If you’re getting married at Yosemite in the forest, prepare to spend some serious money equipping the location with all the necessities.
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