Nature’s Bliss: The Ultimate Guide to Planning an Outdoor Wedding

What’s better than planning a wedding under the beautiful bright blue skies? Planning an outdoor wedding is no easy task and requires a lot of patience, ideas, resources, and ‘game plans’. Your wedding day is one of the most anticipated days of your life, and every little detail needs to be taken care of. From the venue, color schemes, and decorations, to seating arrangements, refreshments, and more!

When you are planning an outdoor wedding, your vision of the ceremony is inspired by the cool breeze, natural decor, and everything that comprises a nature wedding outside. While everything may sound right out of a movie or may seem like the perfect way for the ceremony, it only takes a last-minute thunderstorm or shower to almost completely ruin your set-up. So before you start your outdoor wedding planning, keep in mind what the weather on that particular day will be like and if it is looking a little cloudy with a chance of rain, consider your options and don’t worry, there’s so much you can do to keep yourself and your guests dry and still have your outdoor wedding. You just need to be ready for whatever comes your way. Wedding days have a habit of being notorious, but in the end, it will be the best day of your life!

Let’s go through some common options and outside wedding ideas that can have you inspired for yours! These pointers will help you address all your major tasks and decisions while could also spark other ideas for weddings outside.

Book Your Weeding Venue

Venue: Consider Your Locale

It is important for you to keep your options wide when it comes to planning an outdoor wedding. You can book a private estate, choose a public area like a beach, or book a private beach for the events. You could also just get married in your own backyard. The best part about outdoor wedding planning is that you have so many venues to go through. While going through your outside wedding ideas, it is imperative that you keep in mind that whatever location you choose is going to be your default view, your built-in backdrop for the wedding. You will have to plan your wedding aesthetic according to the place you choose. Here are the most common wedding venues you can look for.

The Beach: The beach is a common choice but also a place that provides you with immaculate views and enough space for you and all your guests to move around freely and enjoy yourself. If this was a part of your outside wedding ideas, you must keep a few things in mind. Yes, it is amazing to say your vows with the ocean breeze, the sounds of overlapping waves, and the sweet smell of the waters. What you need to be aware of is that you will be billed for almost everything, the view comes with a price. More than that, you need to take the time of the year into consideration. Keep in mind that your guests need to be taken care of. If it’s too hot or wet, keep umbrellas and parasols at the ready. If your catering is out in the open, keep a backup covered area like a hall or a big tent to move all operations if the clouds decide to interrupt.

Book Your Weeding Venue

The Backyard: The backyard makes for a perfect venue for a wedding outside. It will also hold sentimental value, and you can save up on your venue rental fees. But you must also keep in mind that you’ll have to rent portable restrooms, pay for caterers’ kitchen equipment in case the venue’s kitchen is not enough and you will also need to opt for pest control services to make the venue appropriate for your ceremony!

A Winery: What’s better than a nature wedding at a winery? Enjoy the best wines along the rolling hills and completely indulge yourself with the country’s finest! These locales are also very famous for wedding ceremonies given the party favors! During the summer these wineries can be very dry and hot, so it is better to make all the arrangements for shade and refreshments.

Stick To A Budget

Just because your outdoor wedding ideas involve getting married at a park or in someone’s backyard, it does not mean that you’re just going to get it for free. Rental fees are something you need to consider and make sure that it fits in your budget. Your first step for outdoor weddings should be to come up with a suitable budget and stick to it. Keep a range in mind so that you have space for some adjustments. Outdoor nature weddings include acquiring services such as portable washroom facilities, portable restrooms, caterers, pest control, and arrangements for ample shade apart from your normal wedding requirements and expenditures. If you have a long, long guest list, it will be best to hire security. With High Mountain Wedding’s Lake Tahoe wedding packages, you can opt for an all-inclusive package and skip the worries of hiring ten different companies!

Lighting

Outdoor wedding reception ideas absolutely must pay utmost attention to lighting. Wedding receptions are basically a celebration of newly married life and the end of a great time with your nearest and dearest. Everything needs to be well-lit and aesthetically pleasing. Arrange generators for security, catering, lighting, speaker amps, and so much more. You can also get an electrician to take over the entire situation and make the preparations for you.

Plan B

You need a plan B, not just for weddings but for practically all big things and decisions in life. So if you have not thought about a plan B, then this is basically your queue. Sometimes, arrangements to escape the rains or the heat are not enough. A lot of rain can be difficult to handle, even with a lot of tents. It can get too much to handle, if your outdoor venue starts accumulating or flooding with water if the weather gets too bad. If it is too hot and the umbrellas and tents are not enough to keep everyone from almost having a heat stroke, you will need to have an air-conditioned area for people to go and cool down.

Refreshments

If you have an outdoor wedding in the rain and have made arrangements for tents and shades for people to be under, you must also offer them refreshments and such, like towels, hot chocolate, and whatever you can think of to make them feel special. If the sun is scorching and the temperature is high, offer your guests some wet towels, iced tea, mojitos, and big flappy hats!

Book Your Weeding Venue

Take Care Of The Food

Many guests will be allergic to a few things and have some pointers to give you so that you can come up with food options that do not cause a medical emergency at the venue. What you need to do is along with your RSVP invites, to include a section of food allergies and preferences for your guests to fill up. This way, you will be able to find out ingredients that you should avoid or perhaps have dishes that do not include those ingredients at all. You can also have two variations of the same dish if you absolutely must have it on the menu, after all, it is your wedding. Some people tend to have common allergies, such as peanuts, walnuts, etc. So if you’re in luck, you will be able to figure out what needs to be done.

Dance Floor

It is a wedding, and of course, there is going to be so much dancing. You’re going to have your first dance with your partner, and your loved ones are all set to enjoy themselves! When the excitement is running high, you must make sure that you essentially make a blueprint of your wedding space. We’re kidding, but you get the idea! Weddings outside can be planned well with the dance floor in the middle which will also serve as the stage and all the tables to be set around this space. This layout will help everyone pay attention and be in sight of whatever is happening. Dances, toasts, and much more will take place in this area.

Bar & Drinks

What’s a wedding with no alcohol? Find a great bartender and decide what alcohol you want to serve at your wedding. You can decide on two options for every spirit and create a small menu for the bar. You can also go with a set cocktail menu that will feature around 10 of your favorite drinks with different alcohol. You can put up some cocktails that have sentimental value or just club your and your partner’s favorite drinks! Be sure to include classics such as mojitos, margaritas, cosmos, and more.

High Mountain Weddings can offer you some world-class views with our Lake Tahoe wedding locations if you’re looking for outside wedding ideas. We provide all-inclusive packages for locations such as Emerald Bay, Logal Shoals, Lakeside Beach, and Regan Beach Park. Get in touch with us today to know more!

FAQS:

How do you plan an outdoor wedding ceremony?

Decide on a budget and get your friends and family to help you. Find references and look around for the best service providers. More importantly, book your venue!

How do I decorate an outdoor wedding?

If you opt for packages or hire a decorator, all you need to do is make sure they reach on time and start beforehand.

How do I plan a wedding in inclement weather?

Keep in mind that you and your guests will need specific arrangements and refreshments. Find a venue with ample shade and a plan B nearby.

How do I handle permits and regulations for an outdoor wedding?

With High Mountain Weddings, you do not have to worry about any regulations and permits. We will handle all the requirements – from taking permits to following all the regulations.

How can I ensure that my outdoor wedding is comfortable for my guests?

Make sure you have arrangements in place according to the event and the weather. Food and refreshments should keep making rounds.

What should I consider when it comes to sound and lighting for my outdoor wedding?

Find your aesthetic and try to match it with your venue. Get an electrician to help arrange everything according to your vision.

How do I create a budget for an outdoor wedding?

Find out how much you are willing to spend on what. Categorize your expenses and decide a range for your budget instead of just fixing an amount!