Outdoor weddings have become increasing popular in the UK over recent, and it’s not hard to see why. Given the right location, an outdoor wedding can be absolutely stunning, but they do require some careful thought and planning.
Here at Alcumlow, we have been offering outdoor weddings for many years. During that time, we have learnt how to achieve a successful outdoor wedding and we are happy to share our top tips with you!
Choose Your Season Carefully
When picking the season for your outdoor wedding, there are a number of things to consider. Firstly, and most obviously is the weather. Summer is a popular choice as it offers a higher chance of sunny weather, but bear in mind that it could also be very hot and your guests may be outdoors for a while before you even arrive. On the other end of the scale, outdoor winter weddings can be bitterly cold. We find that Spring and Autumn weddings tend to offer a happy medium. Another thing to consider is what the venue will look like during your chosen season. Trees and flowers will be in full bloom in Spring and Summer or bear in Autumn and Winter. Try to visit your wedding venue in the season you are considering to get a real feel for this.
Inform Your Guests
We would always recommend informing your guests if your ceremony is going to be outdoors. If you have guests who are a little more sensitive to the cold or the heat then they can dress appropriately. They can also come armed with their sun cream or insect repellent and bring hats for the little ones.
Have a Back-Up Plan
Despite picking your season carefully, weather is one thing which cannot be guaranteed. It is important to have a back-up plan should the weather not be suitable for an outdoor wedding. This could be the option to move your wedding in-doors at late notice, hiring a marquee for just in case, or having umbrellas and blankets readily available should you need them. This way, even if the weather isn’t what you hoped for, your wedding won’t be ruined and will still be an enjoyable experience.
Ensure the Venue has Suitable Facilities
If you are holding your outdoor wedding at a purpose-built venue, then it should have all of the required facilities in place. However, if you are holding your wedding in a marquee or even on your own land then you must make sure that you have a number of things in place. Firstly, check that you can achieve an adequate power supply for things such as lighting, entertainment, a mobile bar etc. You also need to ensure that you can provide toilet facilities for your guests and kitchen facilities for caterers.
Use Experienced Suppliers
When choosing your suppliers, ensure that they have experience working with outdoor weddings so that things run smoothly. This is particularly important when choosing your wedding photographer as outdoor lighting can be challenging and unpredictable. Outdoor photography requires specific exposures and sometimes special equipment such as light shades so you want to be confident that your photographer has all of this covered.
By following these 5 top tips, you will be giving yourself the best possible chance of achieving the outdoor wedding that you have been dreaming about.
If you would like ay more information on outdoor weddings at Alcumlow Wedding Barn, please feel free to get in touch with our friendly team!
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