There are lots of good reasons to consider a woodsy, outdoor wedding: The spectacular views, natural ambience, and neutral setting are perfect for religious, interfaith, and non-denominational ceremonies. How do you go about planning a fabulous outdoor affair? Take a look at our guide below, and we'll help make planning your wedding a beautiful walk in the park.
Consider the weather.
The first thing to think about is the season you plan to be married in. Any outdoor wedding comes with the risk of inclement weather, so look into the traditional weather patterns of the state and immediate areas you're considering marrying in. Autumn and summer are usually safe, but occasional showers have been known to happen, so a little research never hurts. Find out if there are alternative arrangements you can switch to in a weather emergency, such as renting tents with either heaters in cold weather, or misters in the heat to make almost any day perfect.
Scout your location.
Not only do outdoor settings lend themselves to being naturally beautiful, many of them are available at little or no cost. Look into which public parks, national forests, and state parks in the desired area(s) offer wedding sites for free or for a small permit fee. Keep in mind that a wide, open space may not have bathrooms generously sprinkled about, so checking into portable ones (which come in pretty, comfortable styles these days) may be necessary.
Look into lodging.
While a wedding in the woods is a beautiful concept, make sure your site has accommodations located reasonably nearby for out-of-town guests (and you too if you're honeymooning in the area) before you make plans. If you can, try to provide lodging options in more than one price range, and make sure there are convenient restaurants in the area too.
Get set up.
One of the great things about an outdoor wedding is that you'll probably get to bring in every aspect of design and function yourself. While that may sound like a lot of work (and can be), it means you'll get to create exactly what you want from the ground up. You can rent the chairs (for the ceremony and reception), tables, linens, silverware, and glassware of your choice, plus have the freedom to choose your own baker and caterer (many privately owned sites require that you use theirs).
Show your style.
A rustic setting can be elegant too with a little creativity. Put your decorating skills to the test and create a gorgeous atmosphere with special touches. Wooden benches go from picnic to perfect when wrapped in tulle and tied with flowers, while simple tables can be draped with layers of luscious fabric and topped with beautiful centerpieces. It's no longer a no-no to light votives during the day, and woodsy favors like dried lavender sachets look lovely alongside hand-written table cards. Finding pretty, personal elements to add to your décor is not only fun, but also will make your wedding stand out even more.
Make it legal.
If you're marrying out of state, make sure you find out in advance what you need to make your marriage legal! Laws and requirements can vary by state, including waiting periods, blood tests, identification standards, fees, and residency requirements. And remember the possible permit we mentioned before? Make sure you've got all the proper paperwork in order before the big day so there's no surprises when you're about to give your vows.
With proper planning and some creativity, you can combine the breathtaking scenery of an outdoor wedding with the pomp, circumstance, and traditions you've always dreamed of.
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