It’s hard to beat the beauty of nature. Combine that with the happiest day of your life aand you have a recipe for something gorgeous. However, an outdoor wedding often comes with its share of difficulties. Let’s take a look at how not to organize an outdoor wedding.

  1. Don’t delay in pitching a tent. While open air ceremonies are great, you are at the mercy of Mother Nature. It is always good to have a back-up plan. Tents are a great option to keep you aand your guests dry, but still have an open feel. However you must consider that it can take event companies multiple days to set up a large event tent. You must already have a reservation, aand they usually require a deposit.
  2. Don’t make your guests hike. If your event is being held a public location, consider hiring a shuttle service for your guests. Outdoor public spaces often have limited parking so try to plan an alternative parking area for your guests.
  3. Don’t get burned by the sun. Having an outdoor ceremony in the middle of the day is bad not only for the comfort of your guests, but also for pictures. It is best to plan outdoor ceremonies for 6 PM or later to get the best lighting aand optimal temperatures for your event.
  4. Don’t forget about the wind. The wind can wreak havoc on your wedding decor. It is important to make sure aisle runners are fasten down, flower arrangements are secured aand centerpieces are weighted down. Many wedding planners also suggest using a large chalkboard or frame to display table assignments rather than individual escort cards that can easily fly away.
  5. Don’t lose power. Getting electricity to an outdoor venue can be one of the hardest parts. Make sure there are plenty of extension cords aand use battery operated equipment when possible. Also be sure to have your DJ aand caterer turn on everything they will be using before guests arrive, in case there is a system overload that needs to be taken care of.
  6. Don’t let your flowers fall. Fresh florals are beautiful in an outdoor setting, but they can also attract unwanted guests such as bees aand bugs. Many cut stems also require a lot of water in the dry heat of summer. Your florist aand decorator should be able to help you choose the best blooms for the time of year.
  7. Don’t let the food falter. Any respectable caterer will know that cheese aand seafood must stay on ice, but they will only serve what you have requested. If your outdoor wedding is in the warmer months try to serve food items that are light, crisp aand refreshing. If you are having an outdoor event in the cooler months try a hot chocolate bar, or warm soup shooters.
  8. Don’t forget about the bathroom(s). While some venues have indoor restroom facilities available, some do not. Be sure to plan ahead as portable restrooms are a possibility. Some do require water aand electric hook-ups so check with your rental provider aand venue to see which style of restroom will work best.
  9. Don’t just wing your wardrobe. Keep in mind that long dresses will get dirty easily as they scrape the ground, aand debris such as grass aand twigs can easily snag lace or organza. Remember the wind can also blow veils aand hair around. Flip flops or bare feet are a great choice for beach weddings, aand be sure to inspect any decking for holes as high heels can easily get stuck in-between boards.
  10. Don’t give useless favors. While having a token to remember your event is nice, most people don’t want any more clutter or debris. Give favors that can be used in the moment or eaten. Eco-friendly favors are also great option, such as seed packets. Just remember that if you give edible favors wait to bring them outdoors until later in the evening so that they stay fresh.

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