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Pros and Cons of an Outdoor Wedding

Compare Options for a Great Outdoor Wedding

An outdoor wedding can be a refreshing change from a more traditional wedding venue, and it can also be a less costly option, but it does come with some risks. Before deciding whether an outdoor wedding is for you, you will want to consider some of the pros and cons of choosing an out-of-doors ceremony.

Variety of Venues

There are a wide variety of venues that would be ideal for an outdoor wedding, such as the beach, a park, historic site, or even your own backyard. Some are free for the asking, while others may require a fee. Many places require booking in advance, so you'll want to do your homework to avoid disappointment later.

If you are planning a large wedding at your home, there are many considerations to be addressed. Parking is one of them. You may need to find additional parking. Neighbors may help out by allowing parking at their homes. Another idea is to locate a nearby church or school with ample parking and ask permission to use it. Also, if you are catering the event without a professional, you will need a plan for storing the food before the ceremony. Again neighbors could help by letting you use their refrigerators if yours doesn't have enough space. It's not just the weather that could be problematic, so make sure to think your wedding plans through.
Your backyard, if it is big enough, can be an ideal spot for your wedding. This option is completely free, and allows you to decorate just the way you want. You can choose to set up a flower-covered canopy for the ceremony and perhaps a large rented tent for the reception, all of which will be a boon to your budget. If you opt for your backyard, it may be a good idea to check with your local city laws regarding noise or traffic laws. Beaches and public parks are usually free options, too. While there probably isn't a long waiting list for either one, it's a smart idea to check with local authorities about their use. Perhaps a public park requires an advance reservation, especially if you want to use park facilities such as covered picnic areas. Historic sites are popular because they often provide a beautiful setting, but these usually come with a price tag and a long waiting list, so you might want to consider planning way in advance.

Going Casual

One of the best parts of an outdoor wedding is that you and your soon-to-be spouse and your guests can dress in a casual and less costly way than if you were having a more formal ceremony. On the beach, fancy flip flops could be charming with your lovely gown. Guests could come in shorts or even swim suits if the ceremony is to include a dip in the ocean. For a lawn wedding, a sundress could work perfectly with a wide brimmed sun hat. You can also pick a fun, individualized theme and ask guests to play along. The possibilities are endless.

It's All About the Weather

The major downside when considering an outdoor wedding is the one thing you can never control--unpredictable weather. If you do want to be married outdoors, you might consider a backup plan. If you are having a wedding at your home, for example, you might want to make sure that the guests will be able to fit indoors should it thunder and rain. Or if you opt for a tent, you could ask to have the ground under the tent covered with plastic, just in case. Unfortunately, if you are planning a beach wedding, there often isn't much you can do to keep your guests dry except to provide plenty of umbrellas. Most parks, on the other hand, already have covered areas; make sure to reserve one ahead of time, just in case. Historic sites may or may not have facilities that can be used in case of rain, so it's best to check out this possibility early on.

Whatever location you choose for your wedding, indoors or outdoors, remember that this is your special day, and it should be all about you and your spouse-to-be. So wherever you say, "I do," just relax and enjoy yourself.




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