Tips for a garden wedding

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"Sorry if the speeches drag on. Wedding receptions can be a bit like an X Factor results show. You just want to skip through the talky bits to find out ..."

Gardens provide a beautiful setting for a wedding with very little decoration or embellishment. It is important, however, to make sure you plan and prepare a little differently for an outdoor wedding than you would for an indoor one. Perhaps the most important garden wedding strategy is to relax and go with the flow. Garden weddings can be subjected to the elements, animals and other unexpected situations that are not likely to interfere with weddings held indoors. Fortunately, the unexpected often adds charm to an outdoor wedding and makes the day even more fun and memorable.

1. Location

   • It is important to choose the location of a garden wedding carefully. There needs to be enough room for all of your guests and ample room to make an aisle wide enough for two people to walk side by side. Check out the neighboring area when selecting an outdoor wedding location. Getting married underneath two old oak trees may not be a good idea if those trees are growing next to an oft-used railroad track. If you are considering a public location, such as a public garden or park, consider what other activities may be going on during your ceremony and whether or not they might interfere. Make sure you choose a location that is well drained so that a rain shower the day before the wedding doesn't leave your guests ankle-deep in mud or puddles. It is also important to make sure that the location you choose has ample parking. Know the position of the sun at the location and time you plan to marry so you can make sure your guests won't be looking directly into the sun.

   Equipment

   • Garden weddings may require more equipment and supplies than indoor weddings. If you plan on having musicians at your wedding, you may need to provide them with electricity for amplifiers and microphones. You may want to consider renting tents to keep guests dry in the event of bad weather. Make sure that your guests have access to toilets, especially if your ceremony will be long or if your reception and ceremony will be held at the same location. If portable toilets must be rented, make sure that there is room for the toilets to be delivered and set up a fair distance from the festivities. Although it is not required, you may wish to set up some kind of altar if you plan on lighting a unity candle or incorporating other elements into the wedding that may require a flat surface. Make sure there will be adequate lighting if you plan to wed late in the day or have an outdoor reception lasting into the evening. If setting up seating, make sure to use wooden chairs, as metal ones get too hot.

   Bridal Attire

   • The bride's dress is a focal point of wedding planning regardless of where the wedding is to be held. Garden weddings, however, call for some special consideration in this area as well. Dresses for garden weddings tend to be less formal than other wedding dresses and are often shorter. Avoid wearing a dress with a long train that could get hung up on rocks and sticks. Choose a gown that will be appropriate for the expected temperatures so that you are not too hot or cold. Shoes are another important consideration for a garden wedding. It may be best to avoid shoes with a heel, depending on the terrain. It is also advisable for the bride to avoid wearing any perfume that may attract insects.

Source: www.ehow.com

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