Outdoor Wedding

At one time or another, every bride-to-be has been captivated by the thought of an outdoor wedding. Whether she has grown up in a big city or out in the country, the thought of a wedding ceremony set against the breathtaking backdrop of nature conjures up feelings of wild romance and unbridled happiness.

The wonderful thing about an outdoor wedding is that it can be simple or elaborate. Whatever your budget, an outdoor ceremony can be magical. Imagine walking down a long white runner, sprinkled with rose petals, hearing the birds sing overhead, and seeing the man of your dreams standing under a flower-filled gazebo. Many brides and grooms have chosen to take their vows, barefoot, feet in the warm sand with the sounds of an ocean or lake lapping up against the shore.

If the wedding is to take place at sundown, twinkling white lights in the trees and around a spectacular patio overlooking the mountains provide for a most picturesque setting.

Location and atmosphere are especially important for an outdoor wedding. Your special place must be able to accommodate a ceremony. Whether you are interested in a hotel, park, or country club, find out which facilities are readily available and what arrangements need to be made to use them.

Many facilities charge an hourly fee for their use—quite often with a time limit. The fee usually includes the set-up and take-down of chairs. Some facilities even offer a tented option as a back-up plan if the weather isn’t perfect.
Your location should have a few spots for photographs to be taken before and after the ceremony. For example, photographs in front of a gazebo or a garden always come out naturally beautiful and full of color.