Top Tips for Planning an Outdoor Wedding
Do you have your heart set on getting married outdoors? Whether you’re hoping to have a festival-style wedding, something with a garden party vibe or a barefoot beach ceremony, saying “I do” surrounded by nature can be truly magical. However, there’s a lot more that needs to be considered than when planning an outdoor wedding – the weather, catering, toilets, sleeping arrangements and more.
This is an exciting time and doesn’t need to be a stressful experience – follow our top tips for planning an outdoor wedding and you’ll enjoy every step of the way.
1. Consider your catering
Unlike an indoor venue, you won’t have a kitchen for your caterers to cook your food or set up in. To take the stress out of this situation entirely, consider alternative dining options. Have you thought about a food truck? There are so many options to choose from – you could have anything from burgers and chips, sourdough pizzas and Caribbean feasts to fish and chips and so much more. Choose something that fits with your theme and if it’s your favourite food it adds a real personal touch – you can even get a truck offering coffee and cake for that sweet fix.
This clearly depends entirely on the vibe you’re hoping for – but for happy, relaxed guests with full tummies, a food truck is a fabulous option. Ensure you have bins people can pop their empty trays/plates/boxes in and clearing up will also be a breeze.
Why not lay out picnic blankets with loads of comfy cushions and order picnic baskets from a caterer to be delivered for each group? They won’t need anywhere to set up and you’ll simply need to set aside their baskets and crockery to be collected after the meal.
The same applies for keeping your guests hydrated! You can either fill vessels such as bathtubs or buckets with both soft and alcoholic beverages for people to help themselves to, or hire an outdoor bar.
2. Hire some luxury toilets
This is one area you simply can’t skimp on – when you’re having an outdoor wedding, you need to provide somewhere for you and your guests to take comfort breaks and top up your lippy.
You can hire luxury toilets for up to 450 guests, so no matter the size of your wedding, you’ll ensure everyone has the ability to pop to the bathroom whenever they need to.
3. Think about all possible weather conditions
While you’ll be praying for a clear, dry day with pleasant temperatures and just the right amount of sunshine to make your photographs look amazing, it doesn’t always work out this way. Things to consider with the weather of an outdoor wedding include:
- Ensure there’s an area with plenty of shade (possibly tree shade or a gazebo) if the weather becomes hot.
- Ensure there’s an area for shelter (possibly a marquee) from the rain.
- Have umbrellas, sun cream and bottled water available for guests to use.
- Even if you’ve enjoyed a warm day, the evening will become cooler – consider outdoor heating and/or blankets.
These are our top three things to consider with an outdoor wedding. However, you will also need to think about seating for the whole day – bean bags, chairs, outdoor sofas and picnic tables are all good options.
You’ll need to suggest accommodation for your guests, too, as modern weddings are very often held in venues with rooms to stay in. If you’re opting for a festival wedding, you could offer camping or glamping options or alternatively suggest local hotels or B&Bs.
Whatever you choose to do with your outdoor wedding, it’s so important to ensure you enjoy the day. So add personal touches and have fun with creating the perfect day for you as a couple, always bringing plans back to whether they fit with your personalities. Most importantly relax and enjoy your day!
