How to Plan an Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
Advice 24.03.2022
With the weather finally perking up and spring just around the corner, thoughts are turning to outdoor wedding ceremonies.
Let's take a look at the legal requirements for getting married in the open air, how to decorate the ‘space’ and why you need to think about the weather.
The rules for getting married in the open air
Of course, the rules about getting married outdoors differ from country to country. The legal requirement in the UK used to mean couples had to be married in a ‘permanent, immovable structure, with a fixed roof and solid floor’. From April (in England and Wales) that’s changing, and couples will be able to marry anywhere outside, as long as it’s been approved by the local council, and there’s a registrar attending to record the ceremony.
Set up the ceremony
©BristolContemporaryPhotogtraphy
Getting married outside lends itself to being a more informal occasion, compared to getting married in a church. But you may still want to create a traditional layout when it comes to organising the seating. Think about creating an aisle with seating either side, and a table under a gazebo, pagoda, arch or tree at the end of the aisle.
Decorate the ‘location’
Decorating the area where you’re holding the ceremony creates a focal point and gives you a beautiful backdrop for your photographs too. You might opt for some kind of floral arch. Or why not decorate your gazebo or pagoda with big beautiful scented blooms? If you don't want to use flowers, choose streamers, bunting or pompoms instead.
Put flowers in big vases at the end of each row of seats always looks pretty. Or you might want to decorate your ‘aisle’ with mismatched rugs for a boho feel. And it stops high heeled wedding shoes from sinking into the grass too.
Prepare for bad weather
This is England, so you need to prepare for rain no matter what time of the year you’re getting married. Have a wet weather back up plan in place, so should the heavens open you can quickly move proceedings inside.
You may want to hire a marquee that your guests can slip into when it starts to drizzle. Or, if you choose to get married at Ash Barton, our threshing barn is perfect as your Plan B.
Provide brollies, blankets and wellies
Depending on what time of the year you get married, it may be a little chilly sitting outside, so provide guests with blankets, throws or pashminas. Choose colours that match your theme. Or mix and match for a relaxed, vintage vibe. Order in extra brollies or colourful parasols too.
The bride and bridesmaids may end up wearing wellies. So make it a feature and opt for bright colours such as sunny yellow or hot pink. And provide boots for your guests too, especially for those that are in heels.
Prepare for hot weather too
You may get married on a day that’s absolutely schorchio and not everyone wants to sit in the sun. So provide some seating in shade if you can, under a tree or covering. If that’s not possible and you’re holding your ceremony in the middle of a meadow, have your ushers hand out parasols or handheld fans to guests as they take their seats.
Think about setting up a water station close by as well, with jugs of iced water flavoured with lemon slices. It’s nice and refreshing and will keep your guests hydrated.
Let your guests know you’re getting married outside
When you send out your invitations or set up your wedding website, let your guests know you’ll be having your ceremony outside and what surface they’ll be walking on, such as grass, gravel or cobblestones. This gives friends and family an opportunity to think about their outfit and the most appropriate footwear for the occasion.
Work with a photographer who knows the venue
Choose a photographer who knows the venue and the ceremony location, and also knows which direction the sun shines. You don't want to have photos where one of you is in harsh sunlight and the other is in shade. Your photographer should be happy taking photos in the rain too. Often, a little mist and drizzle provides the most dramatic and atmospheric images.
Hire a planner
Many couples organise every aspect of their wedding themselves. But it may be worth hiring a wedding planner if you choose an open air wedding, just so someone’s on hand to manage your guests if changes to the day’s proceedings need to be made. Your wedding planner can help with the hiring of throws, blankets, brollies and parasols too.
Be flexible
If you’re opting for an outdoor wedding, it's worth being as flexible and as relaxed as you can be. If you have to move your wedding inside, you can always have more photographs taken outside later in the day as the weather clears. Having to use your Plan B location doesn’t mean your wedding ceremony will be any less magical.