Popular Places for Outdoor Weddings

Articles on Weddings | Topics: weddings, wedding

by Berta Ramsey

Weddings can be a wonderful thing. Whether they are in a hall, church, or home, the ceremony can be wonderful. What about having it outside? This can be even lovelier, or it can be a sure disaster this is all up to proper planning. Some of the most wonderful locations for weddings outside include: parks, the oceanfront, harbors, lakesides, or forests. All of these locations take planning to prevent problems from arising. Even if you plan well, you still cannot guarantee that all will go well on that special day.

Many people are choosing outdoor weddings these days. Many times they are cheaper, if not free, and are definitely beautiful to attend. There are several things to think about when planning this type of wedding. If you are having it in a public place you will need to plan your reception some place else in most cases. You also want to know what the weather will be like and keep an eye out for rain. Make sure you have a back-up plan incase the weather turns sour. Find out in advance from the city if you can have chairs or decorations, and if rice or confetti is allowed. You want to make sure that no stone is left unturned. Make sure that if the weather will be cooler that there is some form of shelter from the chill. Here are some basic things to think about and do before your big outdoor day.

Choosing the location could be the life or death of the ceremony. If you are feeling very lucky than use the park or beach. But if you would like a little more insurance that you can run indoors at anytime than either plan a home wedding or at a facility that has both options. Parks and beaches are gorgeous places to be married, but there is no shelter from the elements. Make sure you have a choice of plan B in this case. Maybe you could go to the reception hall you picked out and carry the ceremony there. Alternatively, if you are really daring you could just go with it and hope it rains after the pictures. For a home wedding you have more options. You can put up tents or enclosures to protect your guests from the sun or rain. You can also go inside the house. It may not be the ideal but at least you will all be dry if Mother Nature takes over.

Historical Quote

A matchmaker after a wedding is like a fan after autumn.

—Chinese proverb.

If you are having this event in a place that offers both indoors and outdoors services, Make sure you can move the party inside if need be. Campgrounds, hotels, and home weddings can usually be catered to if needed. Most campsites have recreation rooms to hold receptions and will be more than happy to let you use that space, since you will probably already have it rented for your reception. Hotels are the same way except if you have to move to the indoors you might want to reserve it or be prepared to pay extra if you have to. Ask the specific cost for spare of the moment verses in advance reservation. If it is cheaper to reserve and you lose the reservation deposit because you didn't need it, still reserve the room. The slightly added cost will bring you peace of mind. If you are planning a home wedding you have two options for saving you and your guests. If the yard is big enough then you can put up some white tarps or canopies with poles and decorate to make look beautiful. This will keep not only the rain off your guests but the hot sun too. You can also move the show indoors if need be.

Make sure you inform your guests when you invite them that this will be taking place out side. They will need to know if they will have to sit or stand. Depending on how long your ceremony is you might need to have some accommodation for those who have special needs. Your guests will appreciate this advanced warning so they can wear the right clothing and be prepared if rain should appear. If you have people coming in from out of town make sure they are aware of the type of weather they can expect where you are. You want to take into consideration where your guests can park make sure there is room on the street or a designated lot. Don't just assume that there will be parking available, especially at a park; it might not be the case.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Popular Places for Outdoor Weddings" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by FamilyBabyKids.com.

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