Oh hey, you’re getting married? Congratulations! And you want to have an outdoor ceremony? Fantastic! Outdoor wedding ceremonies offer beautiful scenery and backdrops for your wedding day. However, there are some factors to take into consideration when planning your outdoor wedding. Continue reading for some tips and tricks when planning your big day in the great outdoors.
Beat the Heat
If you’re getting married during the summer months, it is likely that you can expect some hot weather, especially if your wedding falls on a sunny day. Consider having options to help your guests beat the heat! (Because you want them to be able to focus on you, not the sun blazing down on them). Some options may include having shaded areas to cool down (such as umbrellas), providing your guests with handheld fans, or offering your guests some ice-cold beverages to enjoy during the ceremony. Drink troughs are a great way to provide your guests with refreshments that can be customized to reflect your wedding theme and you as a couple! Alternatively, if you are getting married outdoors during the colder months, you can provide your guests with blankets or even personalized gloves (doubles as a wedding favour!) to help keep them warm.
Photo by Zane Persaud on Unsplash
Don’t Get Blown Away
One factor that we cannot control about outdoor ceremonies is the weather, especially the wind! Here on the prairies, we are quite familiar with very windy days. Which means you need to be prepared in case mother nature decides a windstorm is on the agenda for your wedding day. Make sure any decor you plan to use during your ceremony (e.g., the arch, flowers, signage) is either heavy enough that it won’t blow away or be knocked over or is able to be secured down properly with stakes or ties.
Let There Be Power
With outdoor weddings you need to ensure that you have access to power (e.g., for music, microphones, additional lighting). Based on your needs, you will require a power source such as a quiet generator, battery packs/chargers, and extension cords. It will be important that you determine how much power you actually need and then secure a power source that will safety distribute enough power for all your needs. We recommend to over estimate how much power you require so you don’t run into any issues on your big day! It is always better to error on the side of caution and have extra backups of extension cords, power bars, etc. just in case. There are companies that provide rental options for all your power needs, and your wedding planner can help you determine how much power you will need on your wedding day.
Have a Backup Plan
While no one ever wants to have to change their ceremony plans at the last minute, unfortunately, one of the risks with choosing to have an outdoor ceremony is that there is always the possibility you may need to pivot to a sheltered/indoor ceremony. Whether it be a thunderstorm, flooding, or another unexpected barrier, you may need to make the call to move your ceremony either indoors or under a shelter. This is why it is very important that you have a backup plan in case you can no longer proceed with your original ceremony plans. Either have a tent available to set up or make sure to secure an alternative indoor venue, just in case! And don’t fret, even if you need to pivot to an alternative venue, your ceremony is still going to be absolutely beautiful!
Photo by Paola Andrea on Unsplash
Overall, if you are planning to have an outdoor ceremony in Regina, just make sure to be prepared and be flexible in case plans change. Your wedding planner will be able to help you make sure you’ve considered all options and will be there to ensure your outdoor ceremony runs smoothly and beautifully, regardless of rain or shine! (or wind 😉)