Planning an Outdoor Wedding

Planning an outdoor wedding can be very entertaining. Unfortunately it can also be a very uncertain business. The elements can conspire to soak or bake your wedding respectively; swarms of locusts could descend upon the bridesmaids; or it could just plain be too windy.

So why bother trying to navigate these many pitfalls and hazards? Because an outdoor wedding that goes off perfectly is something that will stay in the hearts and minds of all who were fortunate enough to attend. It can be a truly beautiful occasion and one that is both fresh and fun for you and your guests.

A vital thing to remember when planning an outdoor wedding is that you must have a back up plan. You must have a contingency in case of the weather. If it suddenly starts raining cats and dogs you want to know that you can still continue the wedding. People generally require a fair bit of motivation to get spruced up for big occasions and the odds of getting everyone back again are not good.

You should also think about the accessibility of the venue, whilst a quiet ceremony atop a mountain might seem incredibly romantic to you, your guests might not be as thrilled at the prospect of having to abseil back down. Make sure that the venue is easy to get to and everyone will have a far more enjoyable experience.

Safety is another major factor, this doesn’t just refer to the risk of tidal waves in the area, but also to the safety of the parking and whether or not it is close to a major road in the event of an emergency.

Make sure that you have planned a good set up. Is there adequate room for seating? Does it have access to bathrooms? Is there any shelter? These are all questions that need to be asked.

An absolutely essential thing to do is to make sure that your guests know that you are having an outdoor wedding. This has both practical as well as other implications. A wedding hat being whipped along by a gale force wind is both an unpleasant and potentially deadly hazard, negate the risk and tell people you are having it outdoors. It is a common courtesy and everyone will appreciate it.

Another fantastic thing about an outdoor wedding is that you can give it a theme. Not the weeny little themes that you would have inside, but a proper theme. If you want a beach theme, have it on a beach! There are no limits to what you can do when you are outside. You can also go crazy with your decorations, as there is no limit to your space. You can incorporate natural elements from the venue such as trees, sea shells or flowers.

Outdoor weddings are funny things, on one hand, they provide the most opportunity for an unforgettably beautiful experience, on the other, the potential for disaster is unparalleled. It is important when thinking of who to invite, to think of who best suits what occasion. It is no good inviting your octogenarian aunt Milly to a ceremony that involves being hurled out of an airplane. So decide who is most compatible with your ceremony and invite them, that way everyone will have nothing but good things to say and your wedding will be a roaring success.

By: Karen De Villiers

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