Top 10 Considerations When Planning for Outdoor WeddingsOutdoor weddings are beautiful and romantic but planning for it is another story. Here are top 10 things you need to consider in planning for your ceremony.1. Weather Outdoor weddings can be interrupted by a rainshower or thunderstorm. Weather conditions are hard to predict (getting a Farmer's Almanac can help) and having a backup plan in case this happens is a must. The ideal outdoor location has an indoor location just in case. Most brides and grooms opt to have an outdoor wedding ceremony and an indoor wedding reception. 2. Comfort of Guests. When planning for your ceremony, consider your guests too. Is it too hot? Make sure you have a tent that could provide shade for them. Providing bottled drinking water also goes a long way in easing their discomfort and will be very appreciated. How about those flying, buzzing, pesky uninvited visitors a.k.a. mosquitoes and bugs? Lighting citronella candles or placing bug zappers in strategic places can help. 3. Plan for Wind. Depending on the location of your wedding, the wind could be a big factor. If it is on the beach, then wind definitely is a big possibility. Make sure that all your decorations are securely held down. Wedding arches could topple over if not properly secured. If you are planning to have an aisle runner, make sure it is not flimsy and easily blown away. Opting not to have one and just scatter petals up and down the aisle might be a better alternative. Lighting the unity candle with gusts of wind blowing all around is near to impossible. Instead of a Unity Candle, you might want to consider doing a Unity Sand Ceremony. In this timeless ritual of marriage, you and your groom pour various colors of sand from separate containers into one special container, the unity vase (this could be engraved for the occasion), symbolizing your coming together as one.
 When the sand from these vases is combined it is never to be separated again, just like the two of you. This sand ceremony is a nice alternative to a unity candle, especially when the wedding is outdoors. The set includes a 10" tall center vase and three 6.75" tall accessory vases. The third vase is meant to be used by your officiant to begin the ceremony, or to include a child or parent. Additional small vases are available too. The center vase is engraved with "Two Shall Become One" in a beautiful script font. Sand is available separately. Wind and hair? Not a good combination. So, think about your wedding hairstyle too. You don't want your hair sticking to your lipstick all day. A ruined hairdo does not make great photo ops for the bride. 4. Plan for Pictures. If you have planned for an afternoon wedding, keep in mind good lighting for pictures. If your wedding date is set towards the end of summer, make sure that you research when it gets dark and plan for having your pictures taken when there is still light available. 5. Time of the Year. Autumn is starting to become the most popular time to have an outdoor wedding, even surpassing the ever popular June month. Maybe because of the cooler temperature and lower humidity. Or maybe it is the spectacular fall colors that is the draw. But whatever it is, still keep in mind that weather is still unpredictable, and that having a plan B in place is still the best way to go.
6. Permits and Regulations. If you plan on having your event on a public park or on a public beach, check to see if a permit is required. The city/town hall is your best reference for this. Check if they have regulations regarding parking, trash removal or candle lighting. 7. Good Sound System. Make sure that you provide for a good sound system for the musicians or DJs and good microphone for the officiating pastor during the ceremony. Especially if you are having a beach wedding, the sound of the waves could drown the music and the whole wedding ceremony making it impossible for your guests to appreciate the whole event.
8. Tent, Chairs and Tables. You can get away with just having chairs and tent if you will only have the wedding ceremony outdoors. If you have both the ceremony and reception outside, then you need tables too. One place where you can borrow chairs and tables is your local church. They usually don't mind lending you the use of these items, just be responsible enough to delegate someone the responsibility of returning them after the wedding is done. For the tent/pavilion, check your local renting place and I am sure they can direct you somewhere if they don't have it. 9. Noise and Uninvited Spectators. Make sure that the place you choose for your wedding is far from the noise of traffic and is not easily accessible for uninvited and curious spectators. If on a lake, some nosy jetskiers might come and check it out. Consider also if the place is near a busy highway. You don't want the revving of a motorcycle or the blowing of a car horn interrupt the solemnity of your wedding ceremony. 10. Budget. The size, location and style of your wedding depends on this. Outdoor weddings are inspiring, majestic and worth planning. Take these things into consideration when planning for your big day and get ready to have a wonderful outdoor wedding of your own!
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