Sometimes being indoors for a wedding just isn’t what a couple wants. They want to get married outside, whether that be in their backyard, on an acreage, or in park setting. I love performing ceremonies outdoors, but there are a few things a couple should keep in mind.
Outdoor weddings can be amazing if you keep a few things in mind!
Weather. This is, of course, the biggie! Poet Robbie Burns wrote that the best laid plans of mice and men can still go wrong and, boy, oh boy, does that ever apply to the outdoor wedding. And while it applies no matter where you live, here in southern Alberta it’s practically a mantra.
Around here, we never really know what the weather will bring our way, no matter what the season. I’ve officiated at a wedding on what should have been a beautiful autumn day in September that turned out bitterly cold and snowy. I’ve had to rush through things a bit when a thunderstorm rolled in just as the ceremony was wrapping up and guests were rushing for cover.
After one experience in February, I no longer agree to perform outdoor weddings in the winter! Unseasonably warm weather leading up to the big day returned to what could be expected for that time of the year with temperatures close to -20 and windchills making it feel even colder. So cold, in fact, that the ink in the pen I kept in my suit pocket to protect wouldn’t flow properly when it came time to sign the license!
During the height of a particularly bad forest fire season a couple of years ago, smoke from British Columbia was blowing through so thick you couldn’t see clearly across the river valley. It added a certain aroma to the outdoor festivities on an acreage site and it made breathing a little difficult for some folks.
Even a beautiful, sunny summer day can provide some challenges. I officiated at a ceremony on a hot day without a single cloud in the blue sky. Gorgeous setting. Lots of people. And no protection from the sun. Temperatures soared to 32C and the start of the ceremony experienced a bit of a delay. I had to ask guests to retreat to the outer perimeter of the venue to seek shade until we were ready to begin.
For these and other weather-related challenges, I always advise couples to have a Plan B for the ceremony location … just in case.
Accessibility. When looking at an outdoor location, you need to keep in mind your guests and whether some may have a challenge accessing the site. Sometimes it’s a matter of parking. Is there space available to accommodate guests’ vehicles or are people going to have to walk quite a ways? Is the site, itself, at the end of a narrow, rough, or steep path? Does it provide adequate shelter on a hot, sunny day? (See ‘Weather’, above!) Are there any amenities (washrooms!) nearby? While a ceremony may be only 20 minutes long, delays can greatly extend this period of time … and when you’ve gotta go, you’ve gotta go! So, if you are looking at a ‘natural’ outdoor area, please be sure to be on time so guests don’t have to sit with their legs tightly crossed.
The Ceremony. Indoors, there are things like chairs and sound systems that can enhance the experience for everyone. Once you move outside, these are things that need to be considered. Some venues have an outdoor option available and they can provide chairs and usually a sound system. Sometimes it’s a matter of a DJ service having long enough extension cords or a power system to ensure sound is available.
Backyard ceremonies are often easy as lawn chairs take care of the seating and mics and speakers aren’t necessary for guests to hear the ceremony. But if you opt for something a little remote or even in a city park, these are things you’ll need to consider. I have officiated at ceremonies in park settings where the couple has arranged to rent chairs from a local provider. At small ceremonies in a park setting, guests have been asked to bring along a lawn chair for sitting.
Additionally, keep the license signing in mind. I have a magnetic board I use for the license to reduce the possibility of it blowing halfway to Medicine Hat! Have I mentioned that it sometimes gets windy in Lethbridge? If you’re lucky enough to be marrying on one of the two or three days out of the month that is relatively calm … BONUS! But it is very handy to have a small table set up with chairs off to the side for the signing.
City parks. Lethbridge has some lovely park settings, some of which have picnic shelters available. But those shelters do need to be rented if you want to ensure availability. While this hasn’t happened to me yet, I can’t imagine how disappointing it could be to think you could simply show up at a park with guests in tow and have access to a picnic shelter, only to find none are available. Or to have a group that did book the shelter show up halfway through your ceremony. Awkward! If you are thinking of using a shelter at a Lethbridge park, please check out availability and pricing at the City of Lethbridge website - Picnic Shelters.
It is wonderful to have a wedding outdoors and it can make for an extra special day with many fond memories … just be aware of possible challenges and try to plan accordingly.
Take care.