If saying your vows beneath a clear blue sky, and then dancing 
all night under the stars sounds like your dream wedding, then an outdoor venue may be the perfect choice for you. An outdoor wedding can take a little more thought and organisation than a wedding at an indoor venue, but if the weather is kind to you and the flowers are in full bloom it can really be worth the extra effort. Here are ten tips on getting the best from your outdoor wedding venue:
- Garden venues tend to look their best at very specific times of the year depending on the seasonality of trees and flowers planted there. Make sure you visit your venue in the season you want to get married, or ask to see photos of it during that season. Try to set your wedding date according to the seasonality of the garden. If you are getting married in your own or your parents’ garden you may be able to add some plants that will be in full bloom on your chosen wedding date.
- Each season has its own drawbacks for outdoor weddings, whether that is pollinating trees in the spring or annoying insects in the summer. Make sure you warn your guests that they will be outdoors for your entire wedding so that they know to come armed with insect repellent, hats, sun cream, and anything else the season requires.
- Your chosen garden venue may have stunning natural beauty, but what are its basic facilities like? Check whether there are enough toilets for your guests, and that there is electricity for the caterers, lights, and band. Everything you need for an outdoor wedding can be hired if necessary, and having too much is usually better than having too little.
- The weather is hard to predict a year in advance, so even if you are getting married in mid summer, it is a good idea to have a rainy day back up plan. This can range from hiring umbrellas and a gazebo to provide shelter from showers, to reserving a whole indoor venue as a reserve just in case the weather is really terrible. Many couples holding an outdoor wedding actually hire a marquee for the wedding breakfast, which can also be used for the rest of the wedding in case of bad weather.
- If you plan on partying way into the night, make sure your outdoor venue has adequate lighting, but nothing bright enough to spoil the mood. Candle lanterns, flaming torches and fairy lights are all good ways to provide romantic lighting at an outdoor venue without drowning your guests in harsh white light.
- Outdoor weddings are most popular during the months when the weather is hot and the sun is guaranteed to be shining. This does create a few issues of its own however. You will need to be sure that your bridal gown is lightweight enough for you to cope with the heat, that your make up will stay put, and that your flowers won’t wilt after half an hour. Not having an air-conditioned venue to escape to will mean making a few compromises with your bridal outfit.
- In the natural surroundings of an outdoor wedding venue, it’s possible that the ground may not be entirely dry or flat. Check out the layout of the garden in advance and decide whether it is suitable for all your guests, or whether some elderly guests will need help getting around. If the ground is soft, make sure you warn your female guests that stilettos aren’t appropriate footwear.
- If you are worried that your outdoor venue may not be looking its best on the big day, supplementing its natural beauty with arrangements of cut flowers, and potted plants or shrubs hired from a garden centre can be the ideal solution. Just make sure they are in keeping with the garden’s existing foliage.
- When you are choosing a wedding photographer, make sure they are experienced in outdoor photography, and that they visit your venue in advance to see what equipment they will need. Taking outdoor wedding shots often requires special light meters or sun shades.
- Don’t be afraid to accessorise and personalise your outdoor venue, even if it is stunning in its own right. Decorative birds and butterflies can be placed in trees, and rustic items such as antique watering cans and flower pots can be used to create tasteful flower arrangements. Pick key colours from the garden for your wedding colour scheme to really bring out its character.