7 Tips for a Successful Outdoor Wedding

Whether your reception is going to be extravagant and take place on the property of a fancy venue, or be more of a low-key backyard affair, there’s a lot to plan for to ensure your outdoor wedding is a success. Here are seven useful tips to help you have the wedding of your dreams.

State the Dress Code

People often associate outdoor affairs with casual attire. To avoid any confusion, be sure to let your guests know if your wedding will require formal, semi-formal, or casual dress.

Have a Backup Plan

While everyone hopes for perfect weather on their wedding day, this is one area that’s unpredictable and out of anyone’s control. Be sure to have a tent, canopy, or other backup so you’ll be able to quickly and adequately cover your dance floor or patio in the event the weather isn’t as ideal as you were expecting.

Be Considerate with Seating

Have enough seating to accommodate elderly and handicapped guests, and everyone else who will need to give their feet a rest from time to time. You can rent chairs to provide a more formal feel for the ceremony and switch to a lounge type of seating area to create a more relaxed mood for the reception.

Think About Your Menu

If you’re not planning a formal sit-down dinner, consider having a menu with bite-sized foods. Your guests will appreciate the convenience of food that’s not too messy and easy to handle when eating outside.

Make Sure Power is Available

You’ll want to have enough outlets and power strips for lighting, music, and keeping food warm. Depending on what’s available and how much electricity you’ll require, you may need to rent a generator.

Prepare for Bugs

Look into options to keep bugs at bay, such as citronella candles or bug repellent torches, so you and your guests can enjoy your wedding in peace from pests. It’s also a thoughtful idea to have a few “bug spray stations” featuring baskets filled with individually wrapped mosquito wipes or insect repellent wrist and ankle bands for guests to use.

Set Up Mood Lighting

If your wedding will be going into the late evening, be sure to hang strands of lights or lanterns above the reception tables to create a beautifully romantic effect.