There is something romantic and sentimental about an outdoor wedding. Imagine making vows of eternal love in the gentle whisper of the sea breeze or against the lush greenery of a country garden. But no matter how beautiful these places are, their picturesque view is only one of the many components of a perfect celebration. Scenario, decoration, lighting, places for guests – all these important organizational aspects of a standard wedding celebration will have to adapt to the changing conditions of nature so that the most crucial event in your life goes flawlessly.
1. Outdoor wedding. Choosing a venue
If you have long loved the location where you want to say the cherished “I do”, do not rush to put it in the plan of preparation. Visit the place several times at different times of day, look closely at the details that can affect the quality of the wedding ceremony.
Find out where the sun shines at this time of year and day, and how best to seat your guests so they don’t squint and look for a comfortable viewing angle. Are there sufficient restrooms on the grounds, how many parking spaces are available, and where they are located? If the celebration will be on the beach, choose a location where there are not intense winds blowing and not too many shoreline insects.
2. Outdoor wedding. Decoration
Wedding event design and styling is a great way to make the event personal. Nature has already provided you with the best locations, the only thing left to do is to think about the technical aspects and personalize the event with themed details.
In the center of the wedding ceremony – the newlyweds and guests who came to share the joyous event. Therefore, two important tasks: properly organize seating for the invitees and decorate the path to the altar. It is the latter that will receive special attention, because it marks the transition to a new, family life for the young.
3. Outdoor wedding. Arc
The wedding arch is not just a decorative element, it symbolizes the vault of heaven, because, as it is believed, the strongest marriages are concluded in heaven. In addition, the arch promises prosperity, wealth and happiness to the new family.
The arch will appear in half of the wedding photos, including shots of the most exciting moments of the event: the vows and the exchange of rings. Therefore, its design is an important and responsible mission. Decide on the shape of the arch: square, rectangular, round, in the form of a tepee, or sectional. Then decorate it in the general style of the celebration: flowers, ribbons, inscriptions, or marvelous weaving in the technique of macramé.
4. Outdoor wedding. Details
Cute details will decorate the holiday and allow you to take care of the comfort of guests. At this stage, it is worth providing any little things that can entertain or will be useful for those who came to the event: a stand with photos, a change of shoes for dancing, handkerchiefs for tears of emotion and joy.
Special attention should be paid to wedding invitations. They should include a text that reflects the individuality of the bride and groom, and also contain: the date, time and place of the celebration, dress code palette and other information that will be useful to the guests of the holiday. Invitation letters can be made by yourself or ordered by a calligraphy master.
5. Outdoor wedding. Lighting
Every girl knows the importance of proper lighting, because the quality of photos depends on it, especially in the late hours of the day. It is better to start the event in the daytime, while there is sunlight, but you can exchange vows in the “golden hour” – the last hour before sunset.
After the sun goes below the horizon, it’s time for artificial lighting. And this has to be thought about and taken care of in advance. There should be as many light sources as possible. Garlands, candles, sparklers, spotlights, flashlights, and even a chandelier will help not only to illuminate the event, but also give the holiday a magical and cozy atmosphere, as well as create new locations for unforgettable photos.
6. Outdoor wedding. Clothing
Nature is simplicity and naturalness, with no pretentiousness, excesses, or glamor. This is the message that should be reflected in the outfits of the newlyweds if they choose to celebrate an outdoor wedding. The bride will be adorned with a simple, elegant figure-hugging dress, while the groom will wear a shirt and pants made of natural fabrics in light colors.
In the wedding invitation, be sure to specify the format of the event and the appearance requirements, if any. Print out a palette with the color scheme of the event and attach it to the invitation letter. Such a palette is convenient to take with you to the store to choose and buy an outfit of the appropriate color. Don’t forget that people who will be around the newlyweds (bridesmaids and friends of the groom, parents, witnesses) should pay special attention to the compliance of clothes with the dress code.
7. Outdoor wedding. Hair
For an outdoor wedding, a rustic hairstyle is ideal: loose hair falling down over the shoulders and decorated with flowers, ribbons or elegant accessories. Voluminous, slightly disheveled braids with dislodged strands that imitate careless weaving.
A wreath of herbs and fresh flowers will beautify the image and emphasize the naturalness and unity with nature. You should avoid massive styling, pompous jewelry and plenty of hair products. Don’t forget to keep the balance between the hairstyle and the dress: if the dress is accentuated, it is better to keep the hair as simple as possible so that it doesn’t draw attention to itself. Ideas of simple but elegant hairstyles can be borrowed from Hollywood actresses, who often choose this styling option for red carpets.
8. Bride’s bouquet
An outdoor wedding requires a bouquet that will be able to withstand any weather conditions. You can seek the help of an experienced florist or create a unique bouquet with your own hands, complementing it with a boutonniere for the groom. Such a set will reflect the mood and individual style of the young couple. In any case, it is important to responsibly approach the choice of flowers for the bouquet. Alstromeria and lily are ideal for hot weather. Tropical flowers, such as orchids, are heat-loving, so they will also remain fresh and bright for a long time.
Rose is better to use not as the main part of the bouquet, but as an addition to the composition, as these flowers, although beautiful, but capricious and quickly fade. After the bouquet is assembled, ask the florist to treat it with a concentrate that will help prolong the freshness and beauty of the plants. When the flowers are delivered to the ceremony, they should be placed in a vase with cold water, this will prolong the “life” of the bouquet and help it look even more beautiful.
9. Photoshooting
The clothes are picked out, the hairstyle is ready, the cherished words are said – it’s time to capture the joyful event and organize a festive photo session. Is it possible to find a more favorable background for memorable photos than green foliage, bright colors of flowers or endless sea surface?
Open space has a large area, so you can fantasize and come up with interesting subjects for photos that will involve a large number of guests. Look for similar photos on the Internet, select the most interesting and try to repeat them at your wedding. Impressive shots can also be taken against the backdrop of the setting sun and the twinkling lights of the garden garland.
10. Photozone
Popular in recent years, photo zones are specially designed and decorated spaces where the bride and groom and their guests can take beautiful memorable photos. The photo zone should be spacious, at least 2 square meters, and far away from the main seating areas.
Decorations for photos can be of different formats, materials, and sizes. They can be made independently, ordered from specialists, or rented. The place for photography should not be out of the general style of the holiday, so for an outdoor wedding photo zone is better to decorate with natural materials or simple elements of decor that imitate a vacation in nature.
11. Banquet
For a wedding in nature, the ideal solution will be a buffet-style feast: the same buffet, where the guests themselves take the presented dishes. Think through the table setting, because at the wedding every detail matters. The original serving of dishes will only decorate the holiday and emphasize his individual style.
Make the most of natural materials: flowers on the tables, guest names signed on leaves instead of paper, a “boat” made of hollow logs for storing drinks – all these details will surprise the invitees and turn an ordinary feast into a relaxed fun party.
12. Outdoor wedding. Menu
It is important to take the menu seriously, especially if the wedding will be in the summer. Summer heat is dangerous for perishable products, so it is better to serve them first or exclude them altogether. Emphasis should be placed on light appetizers and soft drinks.
Do not forget that the wedding will invite people with different taste preferences, so it is important to maintain a balance between meat and fish, alcohol and soft drinks. You should also provide food for vegetarians and people with health problems, if such will be among the invitees.
13. Outdoor wedding. Scenario
To ensure that the holiday was not too formal and boring, you should think about its structure in advance. After the fulfillment of all wedding traditions and ceremonies follows the entertainment part of the celebration. Negotiating the script options with the toastmaster, specify what kind of contests and games you would like to see on your holiday, and what categorically not.
The vast free-air area allows you to play out your imagination and entertain your guests with interesting tasks. It is better that they were focused on people of all ages, so that everyone can participate in the entertainment program, and at the same time get a couple of funny pictures, looking at which will immediately remember your fun wedding day.
14. Outdoor wedding. Weather
Even though “nature has no bad weather”, an unexpected downpour or swift gusts of wind can still ruin a long-awaited, once-in-a-lifetime celebration. It’s always important to have a Plan B in case of unforeseen weather conditions.
Set up tables, unfold tents or tents, move the feast to the hall, provide guests with umbrellas from the rain or plaids from the cold. Do not forget about a sense of humor and resourcefulness: for example, photos of lovers in the rain – very romantic, and joint sitting under one plaid can unexpectedly bring together some of the bridesmaids and friends of the groom. So maybe next time you’ll be a guest at their wedding.
15. Outdoor wedding. Insects
Some of the most unpleasant outdoor wedding companions are insects. They can both leave bites on the body and spoil food on the table, so it is important to take care of this problem in advance before anyone is hurt. Provide repellents that guests can use to protect themselves from bites.
Since the decor of the wedding provides an abundance of various plants, the easiest way to scare away insects is to add in the flower decorations branches of lavender, pears, and cauliflower. Mosquitoes do not tolerate the smell of these plants, so will not fly near them. It is advisable to dig up the food with a net so that annoying flies and other wildlife do not crawl through it.
Planning a wedding is a responsible task, especially if the ceremony will be held outdoors. So many details to think about in advance! Good lighting, signs for guests, changing weather, annoying mosquitoes – all these little details like small pieces of a big puzzle that must be worked out in order for the wedding to go perfectly.