Your Guide to Planning an Intimate Outdoor Wedding
Ruth Terrero Photography
Outdoor weddings are like no other type of wedding. They are romantic, ethereal, and awe-inspiring - not to mention how intimate outdoor weddings can be. And while they’re as beautiful as can be, there are quite a few moving parts when it comes to planning and executing an outdoor wedding. Here’s our guide for planning the ultimate intimate outdoor wedding!
Outdoor Wedding FAQ’s
When planning an outdoor wedding, you’ll want to keep guest experience top of mind - especially if you’re getting married in a warmer month or unpredictable weather season.
Approaching Vendors
While finding vendors for an outdoor wedding is similar to an indoor ceremony, it can be advantageous to research and find vendors that have experience with outdoor weddings. That way, you’ll know what each of your vendors will need to ensure things run smoothly.
Some outdoor wedding vendors offer a preferred vendor list as well as certain items such as cars, tables, etc.
Handling Catering
A hugely important aspect to having an outdoor wedding is finding the right caterer. Caterers with outdoor wedding experience can mean the difference between a streamlined reception and a disaster! Make sure you ask potential caterers how many outdoor weddings they’ve done and if they’re comfortable working in a catering tent.
What Food to Serve
One perk to hosting an outdoor wedding is the flexibility and creativity you have with your food. Always wanted a wood-fire pizza oven at your wedding? You can with an outdoor reception! Food trucks are also a great option as they provide a more relaxed, intimate feel to your reception.
Decorating
When it comes to decorating an outdoor wedding, your venue’s natural beauty and aesthetic will lend a hand! For example, the Broken Oak space at Mill Pond Estate provides a breathtaking backdrop of a thousand year old oak tree surrounded by lush greenery. Whether you’re looking for a more enchanted forest vibe, cottagecore vibe, or minimal vibe, use your outdoor wedding venue as the base and add your personal touches to make it uniquely yours.
Preparing Guests
To prepare guests for an outdoor setting, you’ll want to mention that your wedding will be outdoors in your invitation or on your wedding website. That way, your guests can decide on their attire and the proper accessories to bring. Tip: let your guests know if your wedding is taking place on grass so they can avoid wearing stilettos! No one wants to be sinking into the grass during the ceremony…
Planning Your Outdoor Wedding
When planning your outdoor wedding, consider hiring a wedding planner. They will be there to make sure everything is sorted out in advance, handle any mishaps, and ensure your wedding day runs smoothly. They’ll help with suggesting different wedding venues based on your style and budget as well as provide options for vendors with outdoor event expertise!
Speaking of wedding venues, book your venue sooner rather than later. Because outdoor weddings are confined to seasons (especially in Florida), you’ll need to secure your wedding date as far in advance as possible.
And, keep in mind what each wedding venue has to offer. If the venue doesn’t offer tables, chairs, etc. in their packages, that’s an added expense on your part - and that could get costly!
While there are some factors to take into account when planning an outdoor wedding you wouldn’t otherwise, having your wedding outdoors is a magical, romantic event you’ll remember for years to come.