Outdoor Weddings

Outdoor weddings are the ones most people remember. Whether it's sitting on a beach, or taking in a backdrop of breathtaking mountains, we remember these moments. This is one reason outdoor weddings are so popular. There is a beauty about being outside. The biggest factor to ruin an outdoor wedding, however, is the weather.  

Several years ago I was invited to a wedding in Sedona Arizona. It was in September and the guests were told to bring summer clothes as the weather was expected to be warm. My friend had planned on saying 'I do,' under blue skies and sunshine. Then they got the report that a storm was on its way.

They somehow secured a tent with only a day's notice. Not only did the storm roll in, but the temperatures dropped and it began to snow. Inside the tent, they had only managed to find two heat lamps. The guests were cold, and I spent most of the night, with the rest of the guests huddled under the heat lamp.

As a couple about to get married, the last thing you want to have to worry about is the weather. Therefore, an outdoor wedding ceremony with an indoor reception is the perfect way to go. If weather rolls in, the ceremony can be moved indoors without too much hassle. It doesn't matter whether you life in California or Arizona, bad weather can come out of nowhere.

When there is an indoor portion to the venue, you can rest easily the night before the wedding and not chew your nails to pieces wondering if it's going to rain, snow or sizzle. Hot weather can be just as hard for the bride and groom and guests as cooler weather. If you do have an outdoor ceremony during hot summer months, try to plan for some cold water to be served to guests as they wait.

Another problem with outdoor weddings is guests may leave early if the weather is too much for them. Heat is one factor that might encourage guests to leave early. The cold is another factor that can drive people away early. For everyone's comfort, have the option of moving indoors after the ceremony.

A couple of nice things about having an indoor portion to the wedding are the chairs tend to be more comfortable. The furniture is usually more lavish. Not to mention, you don't have to worry about the wind sweeping decorations off the table or blowing candles out. Things generally go more smoothly when receptions are had indoors.

Generally the furniture is more comfortable for indoor areas and decorations can be more elaborate. Candles will stay lit and table cards won't blow away. Having an indoor area allows for much more control as to the ease and smoothness of how the reception flows.

Leave connecting doors open if it's beautiful day, but let your guests be more comfortable without hair blowing in their faces, or bugs swarming the candles. Combining an indoor/outdoor wedding will make everyone happy.