Photo: Rachel Solomon Photography
Outdoor weddings are more popular now than ever. Heck, for a while there, they were mandatory…And, as pretty as they are, outdoor weddings come with their own set of challenges. But, if you have your heart set on an open-air affair, don’t worry we’ve got you covered with some must-haves that you can quickly check off your list. Weather is by far the most challenging part of hosting an outdoor event. Is it going to rain? Is it going to snow? Is it going to be sweltering or below freezing? While our tech has gotten pretty good over the years, it’s still impossible to be 100% sure. And, even once you know what the weather is going to do, there’s really nothing you can do to change it…so you gotta go with it.
To prove that it’s worth the risk, here are a few of our favorite outdoor weddings that we’ve featured: A Luxe Hawaiian Wedding With A Tented Reception, Romantic Redwood Ceremony, and An Outdoor Chapel You Have To See To Believe
Throw Some Shade
Photo: Lauren Scotti
No matter what month you’re getting married in, you’ll need to give your guests somewhere to escape the sun. This can be anything from a full-on tent to large outdoor umbrellas. You can even turn it into a favor/shade combo by gifting your guests parasols as they enter the ceremony space.
Refreshments
Photo: Sophie Kaye Photography
At most weddings, guests are treated to a cocktail hour shortly after the ceremony. But, with an outdoor wedding, consider offering your guests refreshments like fruit-infused water as they’re welcomed into the ceremony location. You don’t want anyone passing out before you make it to the I dos.
Rain backup plan
Photo: Rachel Solomon Photography
We always encourage couples to hope for the best but plan for the worst. While you may have your heart set on an outdoor ceremony, have a plan B. It can be an indoor space that is attached to the venue or a tent that you have reserved for the day of, just in case. Make sure to discuss this with your venue and planner ahead of time because often there are additional costs to reserve a rain backup space and the arrangements need to be done in advance.
Sunscreen
Photo: Lauren Scotti
If you’re getting married outdoors, don’t forget to ask your MUA to cover every inch of you in some serious SPF! No matter what the temperature is like, if the sun’s out, she’ll get you. The last thing you want is a sunburn. We don’t know when it will hurt more, waking up the morning after or when you notice it later in your wedding photos.
Bathroom
Photo: Lauren Scotti
Most outdoor venues have some sort of bathroom facilities, but it’s always a good idea to double-check. Even if your venue does have onsite restrooms, talk to your wedding planner about renting portable units as well to make sure your guests have a clean, comfortable place to go.
Proper attire
Photo: Sean Oblizalo
You may know that you’re having an outdoor wedding, but unless you state it plainly on the invitation, your guests just know where to show up, but not necessarily how to dress. Help them out by being clear that the wedding is outdoors and consider a dress code that leans more casual so that your guests can wear something comfortable. If you’re having a winter wedding in a colder climate, consider giving out blankets or shawls during the ceremony. They’ll keep your guests nice and cozy and can double as favors!
Heaters
Photo: Sean Oblizalo
For outdoor weddings in the fall and winter, space heaters are a must! You want your guests to be present and enjoying themselves, which is hard to do if you’re worried about getting frostbite. We recommend renting portable space heaters that can easily be moved to the reception space after the ceremony.
