Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
Although you have the advantage of spontaneity or informality by getting married outdoors, it is still vital to maintain the solemnity of the event to truly make it worth remembering. You have to learn how to work with the elements to make the ceremony as romantic and comfortable to all concerned including guests. Here are some tried and proven tips for your special day.
Assessing the Site
Visit the outdoor site where you plan to hold your wedding ceremony then assess the following things: the space, the sun, the wind, the ground, and the view. Assessing the space means that you have to make sure that all invited guests as well as a number of unexpected ones can comfortably be accommodated. Find the right wide area where everyone can witness the event in plain view. If the location has an irregular layout, prioritize close relatives and friends. You can also start looking for adequate parking spaces in a way that doesn’t disrupt the ceremony.
The sun refers to the time of the wedding since different hours can mean different sun settings. Part of the area where you or your guests are located may be exposed to heat and sunlight at certain points which means that you need to provide adequate shade. The same goes for the wind since strong gusts depending on your outdoor location can be very distracting. Tents will help as well as properly arranging seats wherein you at least expect the wind to come from the side and not directly towards the guests. The ground refers to firmness and dryness of the soil. Dresses and shoes can be ruined by muddy areas so you may need to provide carpeting and fill up spaces that can hold water. The view refers to making the most out of your outdoor scenery by laying out the guest area, aisle and altar with a great natural backdrop.
Special Considerations
Flowers need to stay fresh to maintain their color and quality. If you happen to have a remote outdoor venue, flowers may need to be transported and arranged several hours before the ceremony so you have to keep them away from heat and sunlight to avoid deterioration. Bouquets and centerpieces are ideally placed in vases filled with water until the event formally begins.
You also need to watch out for existing trees which are supposed to strategically provide shade during certain times of the day. Some varieties may be bearing fruit or seeds that can drop on your guests so it would be good to prepare beforehand by setting a net overhead or taking out the produce early on. Other things associated with plants to consider would be bugs and bees so make sure that your guests know what to expect during the ceremony so that they can bring bug repellants and anti-allergy medications.
Consider elderly or disabled guests who are coming to the ceremony. Make sure that they move along terrain comfortably. You may assign ushers to assist them to their seats and provide a convenient area where they can hear and see everything going on. If you’re thinking of hiring a professional photographer, it is recommended that you let him or her visit the location a few days or hours before the event so that strategic spots for taking clear and quality images can be determined.