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One couple walked through the forest, hand-in-hand, to their ceremony site
as guests watched the golden autumn leaves swirl around them.
One couple took their vows right on the beach, with guests seated in
chairs before them on the sand. Their backdrop was the surf and the
pink-hued sunset.
And yet another pair was married in the bride’s parents’ tree-lined
driveway, which was completely transformed by twinkling lights, drop cloths
and ivy. Guests never even noticed that the ceremony took place right in
front of the garage.
Outdoor weddings can be magical, unforgettable events. But along with the
magic of a special outdoor place comes some not-so-magical realities -- that
hurricane watch, those pesky mosquitoes, a bare tent that needs to be
decorated, 200 cars and no place to park, and, oops, there go the heels of
your silk pumps right into the grass as you walk down the aisle. And your
80-year-old Aunt Sally just might trip over a tree-stump in a pitch-black
backyard on her way out of your reception and break a wrist. It all makes a
wedding in a hotel ballroom sound pretty good.
Don’t run for shelter yet, you lovers of the great outdoors. Planning an
outdoor wedding is well worth the effort. As Elizabeth K. Allen, the noted
New York City wedding planner who planned the wedding of NBC’s Matt Lauer
and model Annette Roque, put it: “I prefer to do an outdoor wedding more
than anything else. It’s much more personal than a hotel ballroom. You can
be much more creative. You start from scratch and create the space; it’s
your own start to finish.”
The following are tips to help make planning your outdoor wedding
a breeze.
Don’t Let It Rain On My Parade. Mother Nature can be very fickle, so
those planning an outdoor wedding should always, always have a sheltered
back-up site ready. Although disappointing, rain does not have to totally dampen the spirit of
the outdoor wedding you had envisioned. For example, one couple had planned an elaborate
Caribbean-themed outdoor wedding that was rained out. They worked quickly and
did the whole thing inside, but made it look like outside with props and
all. It is recommended to check the weather report two weeks
before the wedding; if it’s touch and go, you may want to reserve a tent.
More On The Elements. It is advised that couples consider the
season before planning an outdoor wedding. The dead of winter is not the
best choice. Also, make sure that guests at outdoor weddings will be
comfortable despite the temperature, especially the elderly guests. Don’t
forget heat lamps if it will be chilly, or umbrellas for protection from the
sun. It is also suggested that couples add a note on the invitation so guests know to
bring appropriate outdoor attire, like a sweater to cover-up a strapless
dress.
Natural Beauty. The beauty of the ocean or a forest needs little
embellishment. When planning an outdoor wedding, let the location speak for
itself. Décor should be simple. Complement the surroundings, don’t compete
with them. For example: If the site is near a
rose garden, complement with rose centerpieces. If the site is full of
shrubs, use simple greenery in your décor.
The Ins And Outs. When planning an outdoor wedding, emphasis should
be placed on more than the bride’s
entrance. For example, some thought should be placed on how the
guests will access the site. Parking is an issue. For a large wedding, it is
recommended that couples hire a valet service. If there is a school or municipal
building nearby that is not being used on the day of your wedding, find out
if you can use or rent the parking lot for your guests and vendors. Will
there be a long walk to the site after guests leave their cars? If so, you
may want to consider using golf carts. Think about exits. Make sure that guests will
have a well-lit pathway as they leave. It could be as simple as creating a
walkway with lanterns, or some other creative lighting source.
You’ve Got The Power. Your caterer, your band and your lighting
scheme all need some amps to shine at your al fresco wedding. Thus, thinking about your power source
is critical. Will you tap power from a
nearby house or building? Or, will you need to bring in generators for
everything? Make sure that wires are not in places where guests will trip
over them. New York City lighting specialist Bentley Meeker’s tip: “Have a
licensed electrician do the wiring.”
The Plumbing. Make sure your guests will have access to restrooms.
Finding out where major plumbing lines and septic tanks
are on your site may be helpful so that a pole from a tent doesn’t create a geyser.
Sound It Out. Your outdoor wedding looks smashing, but your guests
can’t hear a thing. The surf is drowning out your poetry readers and a
passing plane is competing with your vows. Use microphones so guests don’t
have to struggle to hear. And that beautiful string quartet you chose to
play on the lawn during your ceremony needs proper amplification. Make sure
that the wedding is in a private enough area so the oohs and aahs of
passersby don’t interfere.
Details, Details. Ensuring that all of your outdoor
wedding plans meet with local ordinances is a must. Get the appropriate permits,
inspections and be sure to meet electrical requirements. If the wedding will
be in a somewhat remote or secluded locale, you may want to have fire
department, police department and medical assistance phone numbers on hand
in case of an emergency.
So In-tents. Many outdoor weddings make use of tents for the
reception. If your guests will be dining and dancing under a great white
tarp, think of creative ways to gussy it up. Tent
decorations can run the gamut. You can go minimalist -- and just do the
poles and tables. Or everything can be draped and swagged. A “pole treatment” is critical. The metal poles that hold up the
tent are far from attractive -- covering them with greenery or fabric can
help. The flooring of the tent is another issue -- carpet can warm things
up. Annette Roque and Matt Lauer used sisal to cover the floor of their
tent, which was on a tennis court. AstroTurf is a less expensive option.
Twinkle, Twinkle. Party planners agree that lighting is key to a
luminous outdoor wedding, especially if you’re on a budget. Lighting creates
an environment and is more cost-effective than elaborate décor. Lighting guru Bentley Meeker, responsible for the breathtaking
blue and white lights illuminating the trees at Melissa Rivers’ winter white
wedding, thinks of safety first. His rule of thumb: “Make sure you can see
your shoes without squinting.” After safety, he thinks of what he calls
“maximum atmosphere.” He likes to use amber and pink lights. “They’re warm
and flattering colors.” More of Bentley’s bright ideas: Make sure that
lights don’t shine right in your guests’ faces at the tables; consider uplighting the walls of a tent, poles, and trees outside.
Bug Off. So, you’ve covered all the big elements of your outdoor
wedding. Don’t forget the small ones -- the mosquitoes, fleas and gnats. You
don’t want your guests waving bugs away or scratching throughout your
special event. It is recommended to have the wedding site sprayed two days
before the event. A more natural approach is to use citronella candles. If
only it was so easy to get rid of the rain…
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