The logistics of an outdoor wedding
Filed under: Negotiating Speed Bumps, Flowers, Etiquette, Receptions, Ceremonies
Jenna Bush tied the knot this weekend at her family's ranch in Crawford, Texas and, thankfully, the weather turned out beautifully. This time of year in Texas has been known to produce ridiculously intense thunderstorms and plenty of tornado warnings, so I'm fairly confident in assuming Jenna and her groom had a back-up plan. But, what are some other details that go into planning an outdoor wedding beside making sure the guests have somewhere to run to in case the sky opens up mid-ceremony? How do you plan an outdoor wedding, in Texas or anywhere else?First things first, if possible, try to choose the best weather-appropriate wedding date. The best place to visit is weather.com -- a weather Web site that has an entire "wedding planner" feature for anyone planning an outdoor ceremony. It lets you know what the wettest and driest times of year are, so you can take that into consideration when planning.
Next up, figure out a back-up plan -- and not just a plan you will settle for in case the weather doesn't cooperate but a back-up plan you're just as content with as the original one. The last thing you want to worry about on the day you say "I do" is the weather, so figure out -- as early as possible -- what you will do in case of inclement weather so it's not a concern the day of. Perhaps rent a walled tent if the thought of being completely indoors just isn't what you envisioned for your wedding day.
Once the back-up plan is in place, make sure to share it with every member of your bridal party and, most importantly, every vendor. It will change some of the logistics for the day -- delivering the flowers, the pictures, etc. If each vendor works your back-up plan into their plans, it will save everyone a lot of hustling and running around in case rain is predicted.
But, more than likely, the weather will turn out beautifully and you will enjoy your outdoor ceremony just as you planned. A few things to keep in mind:
Once the back-up plan is in place, make sure to share it with every member of your bridal party and, most importantly, every vendor. It will change some of the logistics for the day -- delivering the flowers, the pictures, etc. If each vendor works your back-up plan into their plans, it will save everyone a lot of hustling and running around in case rain is predicted.
But, more than likely, the weather will turn out beautifully and you will enjoy your outdoor ceremony just as you planned. A few things to keep in mind:
- Outdoor weddings are so stunning because they have built-in (free!) decorations -- the lights, the trees, the sandy beaches, etc. You shouldn't go overboard with any artificial decorations or flowers if you can help it. Let the location speak for itself. This will cut the cost of your wedding, and it really will keep things simply beautiful.
- Time the ceremony just right -- you don't want to miss that lovely magic hour, right around sunset, but you also don't want your guests to watch your wedding through squinted eyes. This is something you should be able to consult your venue about, as well. If the sun will be high in the sky, make a note on your invitation or wedding Web site that sunglasses are encouraged. You'd rather your guests sport some shades than be blinded by the rays.
- If there's a chance for an ocean breeze or a drop in temperatures, make sure to equip your bridesmaids with a nicely colored shawl or wrap, especially if your gorgeous bridesmaid dress is strapless.
- Finally, think of the wind -- for an indoor wedding, you can litter the aisle with rose petals or place the programs on a table without much thought, but for an outdoor wedding, you want everything to be secure. Place the programs under a beautiful stone and keep the aisle clear of anything that could fly away.
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