Celebrating in the Great Outdoors

From blue skies and gentle breezes to longer days and busy nights, it’s no wonder that summer and fall are the most popular times of year to get married. Although, outdoor weddings can have their own unique set of logistics. Here are some tips for ensuring your outdoor soirée goes off without a hitch.

HAVE A PLAN B (AND EVEN A PLAN C). You can plan for many aspects of your wedding, but unfortunately, the weather is not one of them. During the planning process, work with your event coordinator to devise backup plans in case of inclement weather. This helps alleviate extra stress on the big day because you’ll already have plans in place if you need to shift. The best thing about backup plans is that they’re not one size fits all. You can take elements from one plan and incorporate them into another on the fly to craft a backup plan that’s perfect for your situation.

Common backup plans include having a tent on the grounds (look into ordering side panels to block any wind and rain), having an indoor option on standby, stalling start times if the weather is expected to clear and having outdoor heaters in case of a rare cold front. You can cross your fingers and hope you don’t need a backup plan, but you

will be thankful you have one prepared regardless of the turnout. After all, rain on your wedding day is supposedly good luck, so you may as well be ready to tackle it head on.

PREPARE FOR THE ELEMENTS. As lovely as summer can be, it can also be pretty high maintenance in terms of staying comfortable. Anticipate your guests’ needs by making sure the ceremony and reception sites are equipped to combat the warm weather. To keep guests hydrated at the ceremony, provide bottled water or a lemonade stand. Once the reception starts, move the hydration station near the dance floor — you and your guests will definitely need it later!

Guests may also appreciate having sunscreen, blankets, bug spray and other seasonal remedies on hand. Place these items in decorative containers at the wedding site so guests can grab what they need for on-the-go relief.

Think about the cocktail hour as well. Guests don’t want to stand around in the sweltering sun while you’re off taking photos, so be mindful of when the sun may be at its highest and warmest points when planning your timeline. Not sure where to start? Research when the sun is expected to set in your wedding month then build your timeline around that window. This helps keep guests comfortable and simultaneously guarantees ideal natural light for photos. For reference, the hottest part of the day is usually between 1 and 3 p.m. in the afternoon, give or take.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS. Ensure comfort and confidence on your big day by making sure your look is ready in every season. Whether it’s a dress or other formalwear, stick to lighter, breathable fabrics that will keep you cool in the summer. For a fall wedding, try finishing your look with a faux fur stole or jacket. Guarantee all-day comfort from head to toe by wearing block heels, flats or other shoes that don’t stick in the grass.

Keep your hair and makeup on point from morning to night by choosing styles that work with warm weather, not against it. Curls, waves and sculpted updos often don’t do well in humidity. To fight frizz, ask your stylist to experiment with sleeker styles at your hair trials, such as a pulled back bun or ponytail. For a boho vibe, try a chunky braid to keep your hair away from your face and off your neck. While it’s important that you look and feel your best, keep in mind that the more makeup you wear, the greater chance it may run by the end of the night, so play around with palettes that don’t require a lot of layers.

Whether your wedding takes place in the summer or fall, in a backyard or on a mountainside, there’s something truly special about an outdoor wedding. While they come with more dos and don’ts than an indoor wedding, outdoor weddings tend to offer more possibilities for innovation. Acing an outdoor wedding is easy with a little extra planning and organization. Follow these tips and your biggest wedding day worry will be making sure your champagne flute is always full. ■