Saturday, June 26, 2010

Romantic outdoor wedding tips




Outdoor weddings are romantic and beautiful. However, they aren't as easy as they may look. Outdoor weddings come with additional caveats and pitfalls, but if you follow these tips, you'll be sure to shine on your wedding day.


1. Make your guests comfortable Malaysian weather is mostly sunny and hot. Don't leave your guests uncomfortably melting – have your ushers give guests ice-cold bottles of water as they are seated. Consider renting lots of industrial fans to keep the air circulating.

2. Have a backup plan What will you do if it rains? The ideal outdoor wedding location has an indoor location waiting just in case. Many brides and grooms opt to have their ceremony outside and reception inside. In a pinch, the tables can be scooted to the back of the room during the ceremony. A tent is another option, but only for light to moderate rain storms. A heavy rain will soak the ground underneath, leaving guests with soggy and muddy shoes. Building platforms can solve this problem though they will definitely increase cost.


3. Plan for Wind. Many outdoor weddings suffer from windy conditions. Avoid light fabrics like chiffons and china silks in your dress and the bridesmaid dresses. Tell your hairstylist that you'll be having an outdoor wedding so she/he can plan a style that won't leave you looking like Cousin It! Men in the wedding party should use pomade or other styling product.


4. Can everybody hear? When you picture your dream wedding at the beach or garden, you're probably not hearing the roaring of the waves, outside traffic, the rushing wind, or the local kids running and screaming around you. Look into renting a sound system with clip mikes for the bride, groom and officiant. Your DJ or band may be able to easily arrange this for you. Sometimes, when guests are placed in different areas blocked by pillars or walls, make sure to have speakers and even perhaps a projector screen so that they can still hear and see the going-ons. Guests don’t appreciate being isolated.


5. Decorations. One of the bonuses of an outdoor wedding is the natural beauty around you, lessening your need to decorate. But you still need to do some work. Visit the site a week before your wedding to make sure the grass is mown, the ground raked, and the flowers have bloomed. If your wedding is at a public park, you may want to ask the groomsmen or friends to do this the morning of your ceremony. Other decorations you may want to consider include an arch or trellis to focus the ceremony and frame the bride and groom as they say their vows or walk in; strings of lights or lanterns in the trees; luminarias; torches; or farolitas.


6. Make things tasty outside. Does your caterer have experience planning an outdoor wedding menu? Make sure they're planning things that will keep well outdoors in the heat. Avoid things like mayonnaise salads or dishes which must be served cold.


7. Don't leave your guests parched Since alcohol is dehydrating, consider serving a variety of lemonades, teas and punches. Be sure to have plenty of ice and water around as well.


8. Those pesky flying things. Be sure to put out citronella candles or a bug zapper so that your guests won't spend the whole ceremony swatting at the air. Lemon grass helps too. You might want to provide guests with mini insect repellants or at least lightly spray them with it.


9. Here comes the sun. Consider timing your outdoor wedding for sunset where your guests will see you take your vows surrounded by the warm glow of the sun. Those having a daytime outdoor wedding should orient the ceremony so that the sun will be on guests' backs rather than in their eyes. Early evening weddings are less formal making guests feel more relaxed and less rushed. Tea can be served instead of dinner but make sure this is mentioned in the invitation card!


10. Permits. Don't forget to contact your city parks department or other local government to get a permit for an outdoor wedding. Be sure to ask about rules concerning trash removal, candle or torch lighting, and pre-wedding photography.

About the Author

Best Events

Author & Editor

Based in Malaysia, Best Events specializes in Conferences, Seminars, Murder Mystery Dinners, Gala Dinners and Team Building events.

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