Time of Year

There are a few factors that go into this consideration. The first is temperature. You don’t want a day that is too hot, or a day that is too cold. You don’t want guests freezing and shivering during your ceremony, but you also don’t want them sweating the whole time either. In most climates spring and early fall are the best time to have you wedding, but depending on your location that can differ. If you are further north a summer wedding might be perfectly enjoyable, and if you’re further south a wedding in the later fall might be what you want. Also take into consideration the precipitation in your area. Although you certainly can’t control if it rains, in some places during some seasons it’s more likely than others. Become familiar with your local weather.

Location

There are many places that you can have an outdoor wedding, but make sure you pick a place that best accommodates your needs. While a backyard wedding might seem quaint, if you are planning on inviting hundreds of people it might not be realistic. There are many other lovely outdoor options if you do your research. For instance, your hometown might have a botanical garden or a city park that you could rent for a small fee that would work wonderfully. Many reception sites also offer outdoor locations on their premises, and they are prepared to handle outdoor weddings.

Always Have a Back-Up Plan

If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, no matter how much research you do and how well you plan, there is always a chance that mother nature might interfere in some way. Whether it is excessive heat, a thunderstorm, or even unexpected snow, make sure you have an alternative. The best alternative is to have an indoor location available. Perhaps it’s another property owned by the place that you are renting your outdoor space from. You could also go with tents for you wedding, which will cover you in case of rain. Just keep in mind that you’ll need big tents with plenty of space, because guests seated at the edge of the tents may just get a shower they don’t want if there’s wind that day.

Cherry Blossom Wedding Favors

If you’re looking for something that offers an Asian twist you will absolutely love cherry blossom wedding favors. With cherry blossoms being popular during the spring season and originating from Asia—this favor will add that perfect flair to your perfect day!

All About Going Green: Bamboo Wedding Favors

Now days who isn’t thinking about helping the environment and being eco-friendly? The perfect way to bring this element into your wedding day, is by gifting your guest with bamboo wedding favors. These eco-friendly wedding favors not only speak volumes on your love for the environment but they are also pretty chic! They will make a great accent to your eco-friendly wedding.

Plantable Wedding Favors

If can’t tell by now-I am a lover for the eco-friendly wedding favors. One of my favorites to be exact is the plantable wedding favors. What better way to say thank you to your guest, than have them take home a personalized plantable favor—that allows them to plant seeds, give it a little love and care and watch it grow. This is the perfect recipe for your marriage.

Wine Wedding Favors

Getting married at a winery is definitely one of the trends in 2010. If you’re looking to add that special touch, you can start by creating your own winery atmosphere for your wedding guest—saying “thank you” by giving wine wedding favors. With wine wedding favors, you have a variety to choose from. You could either go with bottle stoppers, wine glasses, cork place card holders or wine cork candles. With wine wedding favors there are a tremendous amount of ideas you can explore.

#1.  Beneath the Trees: Instead of using an arch, you can find a nice spot where nice, huge trees and act   as your arch. This natural arch makes for great photos and plus it makes for a great shaded area.

#2. Poolside: That’s right! If you have your very own pool in your backyard or a hotel’s pool you can have your very own poolside reception. With some great lighting and a nice tent your wedding is sure to be a showstopper.

#3.  Secluded Meadow:  Let nature take its course and be the perfect stage for your wedding.  You and your guest will enjoy a serene, grassy field located in between mountains.

#4.  A Sail Boat: Sail away with the love of your life. Having your wedding on a sailboat will make a great venue for an outdoor ceremony. Just imagine sharing this moment with your closest family and friends, this could be the picture perfect wedding. Just make sure you bring a couple of umbrellas and parcels just in case you run into some rainy weather.

1.    Simple and Memorable: Many weddings will be based on the foundation of the ceremony and not the magnificence of the evening. Think about spending more of your budget on long-lasting memories rather than the appearance. Allot more of the money to go to photography or videography and scale back on other things (extravagant floral arrangements). You could even consider a longer honeymoon stay and focus less on the reception. You will be thankful for the memories after it is all over!

2.    Home Sweet Home- Intimate and personal weddings in our backyard are another top trend for 2010 brides. Having your outdoor wedding at home brings a sense of togetherness and it helps personalize the wedding experience. You could also scale down on the guest list and go for a more intimate setting for your wedding ceremony.

3.    Skip The Fondant- Out with the fondant and in with the butter cream. Don’t worry about butter cream icing being too messy for your outdoor wedding because many skillful artists can apply the butter cream to look just as smooth as fondant. Another plus, cakes with butter cream icing tend to save some extra dollars in your pocket.

4.     Bring in the Favors- That are right! Favors for outdoor weddings are a big hit! Personalized favors are appreciated and many of your wedding guests will be grateful to have a “thank you” trinket from you and the groom! Remember a small token as a “thank you” goes along way.

5.     Take Me Away- Destination Wedding are a big hit for future brides. With a destination wedding many couples including the bride and groom could use this as their great escape! When planning your wedding keep your options open for a destination wedding! Trust me, if you embark on this adventure it’s one you won’t regret!

6.    Simply Lovely Colors-The hot colors for 2010 outdoor weddings include oranges, vibrant pinks, yellows and greens. Metal colors are also a big hit: gold, silver, copper and pewter. And the color black is back—many brides are going with the black and white mod look and it is just fabulous!

7.    Going Green- Eco-conscience brides are popping up everywhere and that’s wonderful. Organic Outdoor Weddings are taking the wedding world by storm. Being more aware of how your wedding necessities are made, the food that you serve, how things are disposed, the lighting and where the event takes place. Being knowledgeable about the following can make you become a better eco-conscience bride!

Add Chair Covers

If you are having wood or metal chairs, place covers over them. You can purchase or rent nice comfortable chairs cover from any table rental establishment. Sometimes the venues offer this as an add-on to your package. You will be totally surprised by how comfortable your guest will be with this small addition to the chairs.

Provide Electric Heaters

Next, make sure you provide the heat. I am sure this will be one of the first things on your list but I want to remind you; keeping your guest warm should be priority. You can add heat to your outdoor winter wedding by renting warming units.  You can also give white throws as wedding favor and your guest can put them to use during your ceremony or reception.

Keep Your Ceremony Precise and Be On Time

I know that this is your special day but make sure that ceremony is not lengthy. Many wedding ceremonies last only about 20 minutes  and you want to be mindful that your guest are there on your behalf, making sure they are comfortable and warm is important.  It is also important that you start your wedding on time, this will make your ceremony run smoothly and everyone including you will be happy!

Offer a Warm Room For Guest

Many of your wedding guests will arrive early and offering a warm place to visit before the ceremony goes along way. Try offering a place, either a heated tent or a heated room nearby where the guest can gather. You can also offer hot coffee, hot tea, or warm cider these hot beverages will keep your guest comfy and warm. Once, it’s time for your guest to be seated you can have your host or hostess let your guest know.

Now that you have a few tips that will help you keep you and your guest warm and comfortable you are ready to plan your outdoor winter wedding. Have fun and good luck!

As the saying goes, “No one is perfect” but we can all try to be better people, better hosts and better wedding guests. Things that are not planned tend to happen, especially at weddings! So I am here with 4 of the top blunders at an outdoor wedding. Pay close attention and take notes—so you won’t be the next wedding guest blunder victim.

Attention wedding guest, unless it is otherwise stated in invitations, wedding invitations are only good for you and a date! I am sure the bride-to-be and the groom-to-be will appreciate it if you don’t bring your entire family to the wedding as your guest!

When arriving at an outdoor wedding or any wedding for that matter, it is important to be on time! You don’t have to get there two hours early but thirty minutes before the ceremony is perfect, to secure a seat. If you happened to be a bit late, don’t interrupt the ceremony. Many venues allot areas for the late comers to seat and you will be able to greet the bride and groom at the reception.

Another common mistake wedding guest make involved alcohol and we are not talking rubbing alcohol here folks! If you go to a wedding with an open bar, please don’t overdo it! This is not the time or place to become drunk! This is a special day for the bride and groom; don’t steal the limelight with unwanted behavior because you have a bit too much to drink!

The most important issue many wedding guest face, is what to wear to a wedding. Not all invitation have a dress code recommendation, however it is important to remember that wedding guest should not wear colors of the wedding motif.  Another important wedding attire tip, depending on the venue and the season be surely to dress appropriately. For an outdoor wedding in the summer, guys may not want wear a dark suit due to the heat. You may need to wear a lighter color suit, it absorbs less heat. Also you can always take your jacket off. Ladies if you are attending an outdoor wedding in the fall, you may want to wear a nice cardigan or a nice jacket to keep you nice, comfortable and warm! The main message here is dress accordingly.

It’s not everyday you are invited to a wedding, so when you are–please be respectful to the bride-to-be and future groom on their special day! Don’t want to be the next victim of the infamous wedding blunders!

Here are the top three disasters that could wreck your beach wedding and tips for avoiding them:

1.    Weather

Make sure you have a backup plan for the possibility of RAIN on your special day!  When considering your beach location, see about nearby pavilions or indoor facilities that you could easily transfer your ceremony to as a last-minute option.

◊ TIP: If you are having your reception indoors, consider the option of moving tables and chairs around to have your ceremony at that location in the case of rain.

If you are planning to have your beach wedding during a month with historically heavy rainfall, you may consider renting a tent for your outdoor ceremony.  You can check the average temperatures and rainfall in US cities here.

You can probably count on WINDY conditions for your beach wedding!  You should consider this when choosing the style of your wedding dress and the fabric– You may want to avoid light fabrics like chiffons.

◊ TIP: Tell your hairstylist that you are having a beach wedding so he/she knows to use plenty of hairspray. Men should consider using pomade or other styling gel products.

2.    Unwanted Guests

As you prepare to walk down the sandy aisle you want to be sure you look up to see the faces of your family, friends and loved ones– NOT the unsightly view of strange beach-goers in Speedos and bikinis as they stop to embrace the beautiful moment along with you and all of your guests!

◊ Consider having your ceremony during a less-popular time of day for those happy-go-lucky beach goers.
-OR-
◊ Choose an isolated location to avoid any UN-wanted guests!

Make sure your wanted guests are comfortable during your beach wedding ceremony! If the weather is HOT, provide your guests with ice-cold bottles of water before they are seated.

◊ TIP: Print your wedding program on a fan– which would also make a great keepsake for your guests!

3.    Permits

If you choose to have your wedding on a private beach, you probably have to go through a local wedding planning company– They will include a beach wedding permit in your wedding package.

If you are planning your wedding on your own and plan to use a public beach, be sure to find out if a beach wedding permit is needed.  If the beach is state owned you will probably need a permit, but sometimes written permission may be enough.  Contact the local city government or city parks department to find out what is required.

◊ TIP: Research rules and regulations concerning candle or torch lighting and trash removal too!

1.    Simple and Memorable: Many weddings will be based on the foundation of the ceremony and not the  magnificence of the evening. Think about spending more of your budget on long-lasting memories rather than the appearance. Allot more of the money to go towards photography or videography and scale back on other things  such as extravagant floral arrangements. You could even consider a longer honeymoon stay and focus less on the reception. You will be thankful for the memories after it is all over!

2.    Home Sweet Home- Intimate and personal weddings in your backyard is  another top trend for 2010 brides. Having your outdoor wedding at home brings a sense of togetherness and it helps personalize the wedding experience.

3.    Skip The Fondant- Out with the fondant and in with the buttercream! Don’t worry about buttercream icing being too messy for your outdoor wedding because many skillful artist can apply the buttercream to look just as smooth as fondant. Another plus, cakes with buttercream icing tend to save some extra dollars in your pocket.

4.     Bring in the Favors- That’s right! Favors for outdoor weddings are a big hit! Personalized favors are appreciated and many of your wedding guest will be grateful to have a “thank you” trinket from you and the groom! Remember a small token as a “thank you” goes along way.

5.     Take Me Away- Destination Wedding are a big hit for future brides. With a destination wedding many couples including the bride and groom could use this as their great escape! When planning your wedding keep your options open for a destination wedding! Trust me, if you embark on this adventure it’s one you won’t regret!

6.    Simply Lovely Colors-The hot colors for 2010 outdoor weddings include oranges, vibrant pinks, yellows and greens. Metal colors are also a big hit: gold, silver, copper and pewter. And the color black is back—many brides are going with the black and white modern look and it is just fabulous!

7.    Going Green- Eco-conscience brides are popping up everywhere and it’s wonderful. Organic Outdoor Weddings are taking the wedding world by storm. Many brides-to-be are more aware of how your wedding necessities are made, the food that is served, how things are disposed, the lighting and where the event takes place. Being knowledgeable about the following can make you become a better eco-conscience bride!