5 Tips for Planning an Unforgettable Outdoor Wedding

The most dreadful part about a wedding – paying for it. Having a budget in place doesn’t mean your wedding will be any less than perfect. A budget is just a reminder of how much you can comfortably spend. Sort your budget into different categories such as invitations, food, beverages, entertainment, rentals, transportation, and decorations. Setting a realistic amount of how much you can afford to spend in each category will save your finances when the wedding is over.

To help prepare your budget, start saving well in advance. Contribute an amount from each paycheck to a wedding fund. You’ll be surprised how much you’ll save by the time you have to start paying for the expenses. Another noteworthy thing to consider is looking into how to apply for a home equity loan. If you’re qualified, you’ll be provided with all the cash upfront, allowing you to allocate the money right away to the wedding expenses. A HEL also offers a lower interest rate than credit cards, which ultimately makes this a safer option. Don’t forget to lean on family members for help if they’re willing to contribute to the costs of the wedding. To avoid potentially hurting your financial standing, stick to a realistic budget and utilize all the options available to you to help pay for your dream wedding.

Because the wedding is going to be outdoors, including this information on invitations is vital. Your guests should know well in advance all the details of your special day, such as date, time, location, outdoor specifications, food and beverage options, and appropriate attire, so they can plan accordingly. To ensure all of this information is available to your guest, select an outdoor wedding invitation that provides enough room to include all the details necessary.

To avoid any mishaps, make sure to send your invites at least six to eight weeks ahead of your wedding date, so your guests have plenty of time to RSVP. Save the date cards are not necessary, but if you do plan to send them, they should be mailed out six to eight months before the wedding.

Take advantage of all the natural surroundings when you’re planning your ceremony and reception. You can’t control the weather, but you can plan for it! Be sure to rent a few party tents, so your guests can be covered whether it’s rain or shine. You’ll also need to rent tables and chairs for your guests to sit and have a place to eat. If the reception is going to be set up in a grass area, you might also want to look into renting a floor. This will avoid a muddy mess if it rains.

Don’t forget about the entertainment. Music is a huge must-have at a wedding to provide a fun and unforgettable experience. Depending on your preference, book a DJ or band to perform. Another fun entertainment feature to rent is a memorable wedding photo booth. Not only will your guests be able to take fun pictures, but you can also utilize the photos in your guest book. This will be a great memory to look back on.

Selecting the decorations for your wedding is an exciting part of the planning process. Start by picking a theme and color scheme. Once you have that in mind, it’ll be easy to choose the floral arrangements and bouquets. For the centerpieces, you can get as extravagant or minimalist as you wish. For a simple centerpiece, gather three sizes of glass vases and add water and T-lights to them. The good thing about centerpieces is there’s a wide variety of ideas that you can choose from. Because the wedding is outdoors, you might want to think about the altar for the ceremony. If the space doesn’t have one, consider making a DIY ceremony altar if you have time and crafting skills. This will allow you to make it any color, wood finish, or shape you desire.

Along with the decor, lighting plays a huge role in creating an elegant atmosphere. Not only is the lighting important for the aesthetic, but it’s crucial for the safety of your guests when it starts to get dark outside. This is why providing a well-lit space for your reception is vital. For the best lighting arrangement, consult with a lighting expert that can provide an ambiance that matches your wedding theme and colors.

By hosting an outdoor wedding, you have the opportunity to get creative with the food and beverages you plan to serve to your guests. For a more relaxed experience, rent food trucks that offer different options. BBQ, brick oven pizzas, tacos, or Italian are all great options for food trucks. For the dessert, perhaps go with a wide assortment of pastries and cupcakes versus a wedding cake. This will make it easier for your guests to enjoy especially being outdoors.

To avoid your guests getting dehydrated, set up water dispensers around the tents. You can even add fresh fruit and mint leaves to the water jugs for a more elegant and refreshing touch. To avoid someone breaking a glass on the dance floor, consider using disposable plastic drinkware. There are a wide variety of plastic cups that still look elegant and classy.

Planning an outdoor wedding can be stressful with all the logistics involved, but as long as you stay organized and positive, everything will run smoothly. Your wedding day is one of the most memorable days of your life, so don’t rush when planning all the details. Take your time, and follow the five tips above to help you plan your dream outdoor wedding!