Outdoor ceremony

[chiefsgirl]

I'm having an outdoor ceremony at a picnic area in the Delaware Water Gap National Park. I want to make my "grand appearance" but I'm not sure how...It's not like in church where the doors swing open and there's the bride...I've see other outdoor weddings where the brides appeared from beind buildings, but there isn't anything like that at this place...I was thinking about staying in the car with tinted windows until the big moment...or maybe park around the corner and drive up for the big moment...do these sound like good ideas? does anyone know of another way? Thanks for your help!

[ca_dawson]

Maybe you could rent a small tent and set it up fairly close to the "aisle." Or possibly have one of those wedding archs. I guess with an arch you would have to have some sort of curtain type thing that could be pulled back for you to walk through. I don't know what the location looks like so I'm just throwing out ideas! :D

[MommaBird]

Here are a couple of ideas... let me know if they stink!

I'm also doing an outside wedding, and here's one of the ideas I was considering. Having some of the people I want to be involved, but not in the wedding party, carry long banners in my wedding colors in front of me, until a certain point. Have you seen Return of the King? At the end, when Arwen is presented to Aragorn, he doesn't know she's there, because she's behind some banners, being carried by other elves. Then they part, and there she is. To me, that's a very romantic moment. You could have them stand in front of your car door, while you get out, and then walk in front of you until you get to where your 'aisle' starts. My idea was to have the banners then placed in flag holders behind the pastor, as a backdrop for the vows. And it wouldn't be expensive to make. Some fabric. Some wood made into a 'T' with braces. Staple it on.

Also, have you considered arriving in a horse-drawn carriage, instead of a car? It's is a very grand entrance, you don't have to walk forever, and until you get out, people only get a peek at your dress. Plus, it's very fitting for an outside wedding.

I like the tent idea too, with the arch, and 'curtains' being pulled back. Good luck!

[Rev_Hansen]

tenting can be very hot inside in a high humity state.
What we've done here in michigan was to make a cloth wall between you, and your guests. This is used alot at many ren fairs, and csa events in the area.

you basicly construct a large retangle with an L shape entrance area so even if the casual passer by should walk past the "doorway" they could not see you inside thus allowing air flow and privacy - you may want to do this under or near some trees for cover and allow shade for you and your party as well.
What's nice about this, is that it's a temperary structure that's easlily put up and taken down with in a few minutes with minimal ground damage.

construction...

for the corner use 6 foot x 1 x 1 wooden boards...
tent stakes 2 per corner pole
stake out the tent stakes at 45 degree angles 2 per pole
and draw taunt.
Tie clothes line rope near the top to form walls and drap colored
sheets over the line securing it in place with clothes pins
To enter the guest area, simply slide the curtain back and duck
under cord.
( THE ... are the curtains X is the poles used = open area )
====x........ x
========= | .
x ......x=== x GUEST AREA -->
. ========| <--- you enter from here
. ========| guest area ->
x...............x

[fmil0625]

I'm having an outdoor ceremony at a picnic area in the Delaware Water Gap National Park. I want to make my "grand appearance" but I'm not sure how...It's not like in church where the doors swing open and there's the bride...I've see other outdoor weddings where the brides appeared from beind buildings, but there isn't anything like that at this place...I was thinking about staying in the car with tinted windows until the big moment...or maybe park around the corner and drive up for the big moment...do these sound like good ideas? does anyone know of another way? Thanks for your help!

I like Rev. Hansens idea but am wondering what time of day...you could get a little wilted standing in the sun out there.

I personally like the limousine or carriage idea; that way you could stay in an air conditioned room as long as possible. Trust me, your nerves alone will have you sweating! :o

[chiefsgirl]

I like Rev. Hansens idea but am wondering what time of day...you could get a little wilted standing in the sun out there.

I personally like the limousine or carriage idea; that way you could stay in an air conditioned room as long as possible. Trust me, your nerves alone will have you sweating! :o


Yeah I'm thinking I like the whole air conditioning thing too...We're getting married at 4pm at the end of July...but I do love the idea of hiding in a tent and watching everyone walking in!

[kyth]

The place I am planning my wedding at has the bride and her father brought to the site of the wedding (front of the estate house) in a horse drawn carriage. The carriage picks the bride up at the back of the house and brings her around to the front. None of the guests will know ahead of time and it should be a very grand entrance for an outdoor wedding.

[kg4eoh]

The place I am planning my wedding at has the bride and her father brought to the site of the wedding (front of the estate house) in a horse drawn carriage. The carriage picks the bride up at the back of the house and brings her around to the front. None of the guests will know ahead of time and it should be a very grand entrance for an outdoor wedding.

Kyth, where did you decide on?

[kyth]

I'm almost positive that I am going to go with saratoga springs, but I am still going out to the lakes next week...here's the information on saratoga springs though:

I loved Tammy, the lady who runs the estate. She referred to all the brides who married there as "her girls" and seemed to really care about setting everything up the way you want it. You can choose all of your own vendors (caterer, music, florist, photographer), but they have some that they work with regularly as well. I was really impressed. She does all of the decorating and has most of the supplies for centerpieces, candles, and colors that you would need. The house is beautiful as well, very nicely designed for the wedding party to spend a relaxing full day there before the wedding.

This is directly off the information package she gave me:

Use of facilities the day of the Rehearsal and Rehearsal dinner, including:
- Tables, chairs, and linens which will be provided and set up for the saratoga springs
- Food not included

Use of facilities for the wedding, including:
- Magnolia wedding arbor with ivy and floral arrangement provided
- White rose petals for aisle
- White wooden chairs
- Horse & Carriage (2 Carriages to choose from)
- Wedding director (actually, 3 of them)

Use of facilities for the reception, including:
- Tables (48" round, 8 guests per table)
- Chairs (Ballroom chairs with chair sashes)
- Linens (Soft Ivory, floor length; overlays)
- 20 x 30 white wedding tent

Total: $4750

She also does weddings on Sundays. Since it is only one day for that, I would assume a lower total for that. Email me if you want more info. I hate to hijack someone elses thread, lol.