Outdoor Wedding Ceremonies

Outdoor ceremonies are beautiful backdrops for your vow exchange and can be very casual or very formal. As beautiful as they are, they do require some additional considerations. Follow these tips to plan the perfect outdoor ceremony.

Make your guests comfortable. You want your guests to remember your wedding as beautiful, not as the time they nearly melted under the August sun. A little advance planning can keep your guests cool. If you are getting married during warm months, consider timing your ceremony during the cooler morning hours with a lunch reception, or late afternoon followed by a dinner reception. Avoiding the hottest hours of the day will make everyone more comfortable. If you are getting married in cooler months, patio heaters will help to take the chill from the air.

Keep it cool (or warm). Both you and your guests will need to stay hydrated. Consider having your ushers pass out ice cold water as they seat guests. You could also add an outdoor beverage station of lemonades and ice teas. It’s best to avoid alcohol in the heat as it will further dehydrate you. You can also have your wedding program printed on fans. If you are having a fall wedding, cocoas, teas and hot ciders work well in a warming station too.

Have a backup plan. What will you do if it rains? Choose a ceremony location that offers an indoor location in case of inclement weather. Be sure to ask how far in advance you will need to make the decision to hold the ceremony inside or outside to allow for setup of seating. If the location does not have an interior option, you may want to investigate event tents.

Plan for Wind. Many outdoor weddings suffer from windy conditions. If you are using fabric in your decorations, you can sew small weights to keep it properly positioned. It is a good idea to let your hair stylist and gown consultant know you are planning an outdoor wedding so they can advise you on choices that are wind resistant. If high winds are called for, a tent can help make the ceremony more comfortable, but make sure it is rated and secured for windy conditions.

Can you hear me now? Outdoor ceremonies are visually appealing, but what about the audio? If you would like music for the processional, recessional and other key moments or a microphone so your guests can hear the exchange of vows, discuss ceremony options with your wedding DJ. (Click here for ceremony music ideas.)

Don’t bug me. You don’t want your ceremony crashed by uninvited guests – mosquitos, bees and other flying nuisances. Be sure to put out citronella candles, bug zappers or treat the area in advance.

Sunny days are here again. If your outdoor ceremony will take place on a sunny day, try to position the seating so that the sun is behind guests and not in their eyes. Guests may appreciate sunscreen packets and sunglasses, which can often be purchased at dollar stores. Have a few umbrellas available. In the event of rain or hot sunshine, your older guests, babies, and those that sunburn easily will appreciate having one.

Permits. If you are considering a public park for your ceremony, you will likely need a permit. Be sure you know the requirements and availability for trash removal, electricity, candle lighting and parking.

A soccer tournament at your wedding! You don’t want to plan the perfect ceremony at your favorite park, only to find out the week of your wedding is the regional soccer tournament or sand castle building challenge. Check with park event managers about events that will also be scheduled for your wedding date. Many festivals, tournaments and concerts are scheduled annually so the event manager can advise you before your date is set.

Your attire. For a simple, outdoor ceremony, many brides choose a wedding gown with understated style. You may also want to consider wearing ballet slippers or wedges so that your heals do not sink into the grass.

Additional considerations. If you are considering an outdoor ceremony, you may need to factor in arrangements and costs for guest seating. It may also be necessary to have an alternate location for getting ready and pre-ceremony photography if a bridal area is not available.

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Email us or call (248) 689-0777.

Enjoy Your Wedding Reception

The stress of the ceremony is gone. The formal photography is complete. Now you can just enjoy the wedding reception. Or can you? You need to check the decorations, visit with family, remember the timeline, the list goes on and on. Instead of worrying about all the details, enjoy your reception. Here are some tips to make your wedding reception more enjoyable.

Sneak a peek. If your timeline allows, sneak into your reception room before the guests are allowed to enter. This allows you to get a look at how beautifully your planning came together in your fully decorating banquet room. Knowing that the room looks perfect will set your mind at ease.

Take a moment. Before you enter the room to thundering applause for your Grand Entrance, take a moment to toast each other; sneak off to a private corner, glasses in hand, and share a wedding day wish for each other. While it may only be a brief moment, it will be one you remember.

Eat Something. While it may sound simple to do, make sure you eat. Often bride’s are nervous or excited so it’s hard to sit down and enjoy your wedding dinner. But you’ll need to eat dinner if you plan to drink champagne or dance the night away.

Rescue Me. We all have that well meaning friend or relative – the one who monopolizes your attention regardless of the event. Ask your maid of honor or bridesmaids to help you move through the crowd. When they notice that you may be stuck a little longer than you want, they can help you out by saying “So and so want to share their wishes with you before leaving” or whatever will work in the situation. You might want to work out a distress signal in advance.

Party Responsibly. Your wedding reception is truly the party of your life. While a glass of champagne may help to relax you, don’t drink too much. Alcohol will enhance any feelings of exhaustion and will blur the memories of this great night. If you don’t eat enough dinner, increased consumption will also make you more lightheaded than usual.

Escape, But Not For Long. If you feel like you need a break from the party, it’s okay to take one. Be sure to let someone know you will step out for a moment and for how long. But be sure to come back quickly, your guests want to enjoy your wedding reception with you.

We’re ready to help with your wedding reception. Click here to get started.

Email us or call (248) 689-0777.

Wedding Reception Extras

You will spend more of your wedding day at your wedding reception than any other location. Because of this, more couples are adding additional elements to make their wedding reception more memorable.
Candy Buffet. The candy bar continues to be popular at Detroit weddings; with many venues adding this as an a la carte option. The candy bar is also a great way to add a splash of your wedding colors, if available as candies. A candy bar is creating by choosing 5-10 different types of candy and displaying them in glass containers on a sweet table or in smaller containers on guest tables.

Ice Cream Bars. A great option for dessert is a DIY sundae bar. Ice cream is scooped into sundae dishes and guests can add their favorite sundae toppings. A growing trend is to hire an “ice cream artist” who makes flavors to order on a cold stone in front of guests.

ShutterBooths. ShutterBooths are designed to blend in and compliment your event while adding another level of entertainment for your guests. They give your guests an experience they’ll never forget; build excitement at your wedding with a ShutterBooth. Guests enjoy the spontaneity of posing for pictures and revealing their true personalities. (Click here to learn about Shutterbooths)
Reception Club. While the main activities at the wedding reception will likely be dinner and dancing, some couples decide to create a separate club area within their wedding reception for relaxing and conversation. You can rent swanky, trendy couches and chairs for the occasion. A special touch for this area is a separate martini bar or cocktail waitresses just for the lounge. Rugs, lamps and lighting accents help to create the club feel.

Lighting. Nothing else can add the “Wow Factor” to your reception room more than decorative Up-Lighting & Accent Lighting. Custom lighting designs specifically tailored to your wedding reception perfectly sets the mood from the moment guests enter the room. (Click here to learn about Up-Lighting)
Espresso Bar. A fantastic way to energize and socialize, espresso bars are a popular option. They are also a nice option for non-drinkers. Many reception venues have this as an a la carte option. Some of America’s favorite coffee shops also cater to wedding receptions.

We’re ready to make your reception memorable (and capture them too!). Click here to learn more.

Email us or call (248) 689-0777.