I think everyone, at one time or another, toys with the
idea of having an outdoor wedding. The fresh air, the
room and the freedom it inspires fills us with romantic
notions of how perfect our wedding could be.
However, having an outdoor wedding comes with its own
challenges. Here are a few you should take into consideration:
** The Weather **
Consider the climate conditions of where you live. Is it
normally hot and sunny...or do you tend to get quite a
bit of rain during the season of your wedding date? How
much does it cool down during the evening? If the wedding
is in the late afternoon while it's still hot, but the
reception goes on late into the night, will guests get
cold outdoors? Remember, most of us tend to dress for
the weather at the time of the wedding, and often don't
consider what the temperature will be like later in the evening.
** The Costs **
Outdoor weddings tend to be more expensive than indoor
weddings. You will need to rent everything, then pay to
have it all set up. Having a tent is a must. You will
need it to help shield people from the hot sun during
the day, as well as from any sudden downpours you may
unexpectedly receive.
You will also need to rent the tables, chairs, tableware,
etc. and have to pay for someone to set it all up for you.
With an indoor wedding, all of these items are supplied
by the location of your choosing. So, be prepared to
budget more for an outdoor wedding and be sure you get
estimates (in writing) from various vendors.
** Booking Early **
With any sort of outdoor tent wedding, you must be prepared
to book everything early...at least 8 to 10 months in
advance. However, be sure you book and consult with your
caterer first, to determine whether they know how to handle
and accommodate an outdoor wedding.
** Arrange for On-Site Consultations **
Make sure to have on-site consultations with all your
vendors, including the tent rental company, the caterer,
the florist, the decorator, the musicians, etc. You will
need to give each of them a run-down on how you want the
area set up and where items (and people) will be located.
You will also need to determine with your vendors how
much advanced time they will need to set up.
Also be sure to make arrangements to have everything
dismantled after your wedding. Remember to budget this
into your costs as well. It might be a good idea (if you budget
allows) to hire someone to oversee the setup on the day of
the wedding, so that nothing goes wrong.
** Keeping Track **
Having an outdoor wedding can be very romantic and fun,
but it does take a lot of advance planning and coordination.
Keep a small notebook handy so you can quickly jot down all
upcoming appointments, ideas (which often appear at the
strangest of times), vendor names and phone numbers, plus
anything else that you think is relevant. This will become your
"little wedding bible" as your special day draws nearer and
you will probably refer to it quite often.
Remember, advanced planning and budgeting will keep everyone
happy,healthy and sane.
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