Anybody planning an outdoor wedding???

[armyfiance]

Hey ladies, I was just wondering if anyone was planning an outdoor wedding or has ever been to one. I think I want to have my wedding my grandparents backyard, in a tent and then have another tent for the reception. I think it will save me some money instead of renting out a place, and my grandparents house is beautiful. :)

[ca_dawson]

Me! I am having it in a garden and the "alter" will be a gazebo. Now let's just hope and pray for no rain! You have to have a backup plan for the weather. I've been to 2 outdoor weddings and aside from the fact that both of them were outdoor in July in Houston, Tx where the temp passes the 100's and the humidity is enough to suffocate anyone, they were beautiful. Unless you want you guests dripping with sweat, I wouldn't reccommend a super hot month. We are doing ours in April.

[Raspberry]

I was going to, but then we went to see a site and were dying in the afternoon heat. Then and there I decided if I was getting married in July in Georgia I was going to be indoors! A lot of locations that are outdoors also offer an indoor/rain option.

[Elaine]

I've been to an outdoor wedding here in Vegas. Rain, obviously, was not of much concern. But we did have some interference from airplanes.

[Lacey]

I was at an outdoor wedding yesterday. It didn't start until 6:30 but it was still miserably hot (July in the Ohio River Valley is awful). Everyone, especially the groom and ushers in their black tuxedoes was sweating. If you are doing it outdoors and there is the slightest chance that it is going to be hot 1. rent a tent 2. see that there is some shade (trees) 3. provide either elcetric or handheld paper fans 4. provide bottles of water.

Also if it is warm, things like the recieving line (in this case on a black topped drive way) should be moved into the air conditioning. By the time the guests got into the AC'd hall we were all a sweaty miserable mess.

[Cashy98]

Mine's going to be outside. We're having it in a courtyard downtown. It will be June... but by 4:00pm the sun has gone past the buildings so the entire courtyard is in the shade. Plus we will be having chairs (lots of outdoor weddings don't have chairs), so I think everyone should be fine. We were there on weekend this year that will be our wedding next year and it actually felt like it was 10 degrees cooler in the courtyard. I'll admit its not the prettiest place to get married (lots of bricks!), but at least everyone will get to have chairs! I checked with my city's parks and rec department and they don't allow chairs in any of the city parks! I'm sorry, but I'm not going to make everyone stand out in the heat!

[chiefsgirl]

I am having the ceremony outside at a park in the Delaware Water Gap National Park. Our spot is very shaded by trees and we are keeping the ceremony short and sweet and cocktail hour starts as soon as the wedding is over so everyone can cool off (this will also be outside...at the reception site).

[tiffani]

i have been thinking of an outside wedding but my problem is that i have too many family and friends that will want to attend, and no place big enuff to hold the wedding :( not enuff money for renting chairs or tents.

i live in Maine so heat is no problem
it will be in august so snow shouldn't be a problem


my dream when i was younger was to walk down between two isles of flowers outside with an arch at the end that i get married under. it's not looking like that is an option (outside) so i think i am going to have it inside and have flowers linning the pews (or chairs) on my way in. i think i still may have an arch of some sort though.

my wedding is a while away and i haven't booked anything yet i am just planning and getting ideas before i do anything

[kyzmit]

i have been thinking of an outside wedding but my problem is that i have too many family and friends that will want to attend, and no place big enuff to hold the wedding :( not enuff money for renting chairs or tents. ...

I'm getting married in my uncle's apple orchard. Try to think of all the town, county, and state parks. Some large churches have large gardens. Some farmers are willing to allow you to hold a ceremony in a cleared field. In this area there are many old, large homesteads that have been turned into museums or purchased as headquarters for organizations... almost all of them have amazing gardens. Think of every big, open space you can think of, whether public or privately owned and ask.

As long as it doesn't rain, you won't need a tent. If it does, you may be able to go into a lodge or under a shelter on the property. Ask your church, area schools, friends, etc. about tables and chairs you may be able to borrow a bunch from somewhere (they won't be uniform probably, but... they're just tables and chairs). Some caterers can provide tables and chairs for not too much more. Contact multiple rental places and compare prices. Offer a small advertisement ("Special thanks to ___ Rental for providing our beautiful tables and chairs." with their logo, address, or whatever) in your programs or on the tables for a discount.

Be creative.

[Vixen]

there are some hotels that have the indoor/outdoor wedding types. Like this one if you lived in sacramento there is this place that has outdoor features just in case.

http://www.lakenatomainn.com/images/photos/weddings.jpg
**Available October - March
its a big tent and it will hold a bunch of people. So check your hotels near by.

[EricasTJ]

I'm ALL about having an outdoor wedding (always wanted one). I never wanted one anywhere on groomed grass (such as a golf course) but I always wanted somewhere in nature. We picked a date in October so that the big oak trees will be changing colors and hopefully look their best! :)
Here are two pictures:
I'll be walking up these steps with a waterfall next to it and down a brick walkway.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/quadna71/Icky%20stuff/WoodsgateFourthofJuly025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/quadna71/Icky%20stuff/WoodsgateFourthofJuly011.jpg

It's my dream place to get married :D

[ca_dawson]

I'm ALL about having an outdoor wedding (always wanted one). I never wanted one anywhere on groomed grass (such as a golf course) but I always wanted somewhere in nature. We picked a date in October so that the big oak trees will be changing colors and hopefully look their best! :)
Here are two pictures:
I'll be walking up these steps with a waterfall next to it and down a brick walkway.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/quadna71/Icky%20stuff/WoodsgateFourthofJuly025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/quadna71/Icky%20stuff/WoodsgateFourthofJuly011.jpg

It's my dream place to get married :D
ohh, so pretty! That is amazing!

[tickie]

I am having the ceremony outside at a park in the Delaware Water Gap National Park. Our spot is very shaded by trees and we are keeping the ceremony short and sweet and cocktail hour starts as soon as the wedding is over so everyone can cool off (this will also be outside...at the reception site).

What a gorgeous area for a wedding! Just saw one up at Stroudsmoor Inn over 4th of July and we took a drive through the park on our way home. You will have a beautiful wedding!

[ami]

I am having the ceremony outside at a park in the Delaware Water Gap National Park. Our spot is very shaded by trees and we are keeping the ceremony short and sweet and cocktail hour starts as soon as the wedding is over so everyone can cool off (this will also be outside...at the reception site).

Where is the Delaware Water Gap?? Where are you having the reception?? I've been desperately trying to find a location that isn't too far from the Cherry Hill/Philadelphia area for an outdoor ceremony and then the reception.

What is your backup plan?
Thanks,
Ami

[Raspberry]

we were able to reserve the conservatory at the botanical gardens for our wedding

took out pics cause they are no longer up

[Cashy98]

we were able to reserve the conservatory at the botanical gardens for our wedding

http://www.plutomoment.com/wedding/conservatory.jpg

more pics here http://plutomoment.com/wedding/botgardens.htm

I am sooooooooooo jealous!!!!! I place looks like crap compared to that! :( I wanted so badly to have a garden wedding... but instead I have this:
http://www.lincolnhaymarket.com/Images/HaySquare/HaySquare3.jpg
(and no, I don't have any clue who that girl is in the picture LOL!)

[Cashy98]

I'm ALL about having an outdoor wedding (always wanted one). I never wanted one anywhere on groomed grass (such as a golf course) but I always wanted somewhere in nature. We picked a date in October so that the big oak trees will be changing colors and hopefully look their best! :)
Here are two pictures:
I'll be walking up these steps with a waterfall next to it and down a brick walkway.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/quadna71/Icky%20stuff/WoodsgateFourthofJuly025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/quadna71/Icky%20stuff/WoodsgateFourthofJuly011.jpg

It's my dream place to get married :D
I Hate You!!!!!!!
(no, I'm just kidding :p )

[Marsha]

I am sooooooooooo jealous!!!!! I place looks like crap compared to that! :( I wanted so badly to have a garden wedding... but instead I have this:
http://www.lincolnhaymarket.com/Images/HaySquare/HaySquare3.jpg
(and no, I don't have any clue who that girl is in the picture LOL!)
if t hats all u have then u have a lot! you can do so much with that area, and just think (not to ruin somone elses) you wont have as many bugs, and no dirt to get all over your dress.

[Cashy98]

if t hats all u have then u have a lot! you can do so much with that area, and just think (not to ruin somone elses) you wont have as many bugs, and no dirt to get all over your dress.
Yeah, I know... not dirt as long as we sweep the bricks good prior to the wedding. I just REALLY wanted a garden wedding and its impossible. :( I'm happy those other girls have a nice place to go. They look like such pretty places!

[Marsha]

Yeah, I know... not dirt as long as we sweep the bricks good prior to the wedding. I just REALLY wanted a garden wedding and its impossible. :( I'm happy those other girls have a nice place to go. They look like such pretty places!
cashy your not happy! why are you choosing a site that dosent make u excited to be in? where do u live? i can help im sure, what is ideal to you? dont make me tickle u to speak

[Vixen]

cashy your not happy! why are you choosing a site that dosent make u excited to be in? where do u live? i can help im sure, what is ideal to you? dont make me tickle u to speak


she lives in Lincoln, NE.

[Cashy98]

What did you do Vixey... look me up? LOL! Yeah, that's where I live. Anyways, no I'm not happy with my location at all. It is not what I wanted... but I really don't have any choice. I don't want my guests to have to stand at our wedding and every garden/park in this city does not allow chairs. All I wanted was to get married in a garden with my guests seated comfortably in the shade... but that is impossible. The only reason we chose this courtyard is because it is right across the street from our reception and we can have chairs. Although I'm not comfortable about giving the guy we rented the reception hall from any more money (he owns this courtyard too and is charging us extra to use it for the wedding). My dad wrote me a check... but I still haven't mailed it or the contract. I'm hesitant because this isn't really what I want. But what other choice to I have? I have looked EVERWHERE and practically asked EVERYONE in this stupid city. What I had pictured in my head just doesn't exist here. :(

Sorry I'm such a downer... I'm just in a bad mood today. Too many things not turning out the way I wanted them to.

[Vixen]

What did you do Vixey... look me up? LOL!

nah it was on one of your old posts. lol. some things stick in my memory, other things i suck at. lol.

what about another town? something close but not too far?

[Cashy98]

nah it was on one of your old posts. lol. some things stick in my memory, other things i suck at. lol.

what about another town? something close but not too far?
Well we did look at places in Omaha... which is almost an hour away. But my FH's parents practically had a cow and said that noone would want to go all the way there just for our wedding. Many of my FH's relatives live in Colorado... so it would be an extra hour tacked onto their ride. But we did look there anyway. There's a botanical garden there that is very pretty. However, it cost $3000 just to rent the place for you wedding (that didn't include anything else... just rent)!!! So we were like "no way". We also looked at a "castle" and a "mansion", but they were anything but. They were both pretty tiny and you couldn't even have all of your guests seated on the same floor of the castle/mansion! Oh, and then we looked at a couple of museums there too. But they were WAY too expensive as well. It was a nice thought... but they were all just unpractical. So... here we are... no garden... no grass... no nothing. But we do get to have chairs!

[Marsha]

Well we did look at places in Omaha... which is almost an hour away. But my FH's parents practically had a cow and said that noone would want to go all the way there just for our wedding. Many of my FH's relatives live in Colorado... so it would be an extra hour tacked onto their ride. But we did look there anyway. There's a botanical garden there that is very pretty. However, it cost $3000 just to rent the place for you wedding (that didn't include anything else... just rent)!!! So we were like "no way". We also looked at a "castle" and a "mansion", but they were anything but. They were both pretty tiny and you couldn't even have all of your guests seated on the same floor of the castle/mansion! Oh, and then we looked at a couple of museums there too. But they were WAY too expensive as well. It was a nice thought... but they were all just unpractical. So... here we are... no garden... no grass... no nothing. But we do get to have chairs!
how about a parents yard? or a neighbors yard? no open fields? Why not just get married at the place u are having your reception? That court yard could be great.THink big picture. Tule, lights, Hang lanterns from the trees, roses or petels sprinkled through out the area, the white chairs will make a huge difference. and i see the point of him charging u more, because he has to set them up and take them down. With a white isle runner things will be fine. Have u thought about an arbor? or like hupa looking thing to get a focal point? I also know u metioned sweeping the area, what if u asked the owner to wash the area down the day before? how about some trees like rachel wanted for the front of her isle? what time is your wedding? that makes a huge diference also. have u gone there at the time your wedding is supposta take place? is there sun shade is it hot cool? oh i jus thought about paper lanterns also, from trees, it could be really nice, you arent thinking full pic. I know you have a dream spot in your head, but with limited places theres nothing you can do.

[kyth]

Marcia has some great ideas. One of the wonders of decorating for a wedding is that it can completely transform the location. By the time you arrive in your wedding gown that courtyard will be a romantic "garden" just for you.

[Raspberry]

Are there any colleges around? You dont have to be a student to rent some of the spaces. Our location is the college/state bot gardens and it's $1300 and includes tables and chairs. We looked at the art museum here and it was even less. There are also two chapels on ***pus, one in the main part that also serves as a theater/lecture hall and one at the gardens.

[Vixen]

Are there any colleges around? You dont have to be a student to rent some of the spaces. Our location is the college/state bot gardens and it's $1300 and includes tables and chairs. We looked at the art museum here and it was even less. There are also two chapels on ***pus, one in the main part that also serves as a theater/lecture hall and one at the gardens.

good idea!

[Cashy98]

how about a parents yard? or a neighbors yard? no open fields? Why not just get married at the place u are having your reception? That court yard could be great.THink big picture. Tule, lights, Hang lanterns from the trees, roses or petels sprinkled through out the area, the white chairs will make a huge difference. and i see the point of him charging u more, because he has to set them up and take them down. With a white isle runner things will be fine. Have u thought about an arbor? or like hupa looking thing to get a focal point? I also know u metioned sweeping the area, what if u asked the owner to wash the area down the day before? how about some trees like rachel wanted for the front of her isle? what time is your wedding? that makes a huge diference also. have u gone there at the time your wedding is supposta take place? is there sun shade is it hot cool? oh i jus thought about paper lanterns also, from trees, it could be really nice, you arent thinking full pic. I know you have a dream spot in your head, but with limited places theres nothing you can do.
Okay, my parent's don't have a yard (they have a gigantic garage instead!) We don't exactly get along with our neighbors and neither do my parents. We could get married at our reception place... but I had wanted an outdoor wedding. Our reception place is on the 5th floor of a building downtown. Oh, but the extra charge is just to rent the courtyard. He doesn't set ANYTHING up or take ANYTHING down... if he has to do anything then he'll charge us for it. So we have to put everything back the way it was prior. You do have so good ideas... I mean, its not like I haven't thought of those though. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to set up an "aisle" though. The area looks big in the picture... but once you have all those chairs in there you wonder how they'll fit. Oh, and its pretty cool in there the time of day we'll be having the wedding because its shading by then. :)

[Marsha]

Okay, my parent's don't have a yard (they have a gigantic garage instead!) We don't exactly get along with our neighbors and neither do my parents. We could get married at our reception place... but I had wanted an outdoor wedding. Our reception place is on the 5th floor of a building downtown. Oh, but the extra charge is just to rent the courtyard. He doesn't set ANYTHING up or take ANYTHING down... if he has to do anything then he'll charge us for it. So we have to put everything back the way it was prior. You do have so good ideas... I mean, its not like I haven't thought of those though. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to set up an "aisle" though. The area looks big in the picture... but once you have all those chairs in there you wonder how they'll fit. Oh, and its pretty cool in there the time of day we'll be having the wedding because its shading by then. :)
you only need about 3 feet wide for an isle, the chairs can go in a semi circle so u can bring more chairs up on the sides. Am i making myself clear? remember that not all people will come to the ceremony(sorry) make sure you have reliable people to decorate, and quite honestly if a few people are in the back standing its o.k. i know u had all those thoughts, i wasnt trying to say you didnt. But i was trying to get u to look at the brighter side of things, its going to be wonderful and u are beautiful and well, ill be quiet now

[Cashy98]

you only need about 3 feet wide for an isle, the chairs can go in a semi circle so u can bring more chairs up on the sides. Am i making myself clear? remember that not all people will come to the ceremony(sorry) make sure you have reliable people to decorate, and quite honestly if a few people are in the back standing its o.k. i know u had all those thoughts, i wasnt trying to say you didnt. But i was trying to get u to look at the brighter side of things, its going to be wonderful and u are beautiful and well, ill be quiet now
Thanks, that was very sweet of you to say.
We were just there last night to kind of measure things to make sure there would be enough room. We think it will work... but my aisle won't be straight. I'll have to turn a corner (which worries me if I have a train because I have noone to straighten it). We had a hard time scoping things out though. I guess there was going to be a play there last night and they were setting things up. Then some guy asked if we were with the "group". I think he wanted us to help him carry stuff! LOL! Well... we did have a **** measure and we were pointing at things... so I guess it was an honest mistake. Anyways, I'm still not sure who I'll be able to get to set everything up for the ceremony. We can only begin setting things up 2 hours before the ceremony... and I'm sorry, but I think I'll be a little bit preoccupied that that time. My parents threw a fit because they don't want to have to set things up. So... I'm thinking of having my FH's mom organize things even though his parents are contributing to the wedding. Agh! Why do my parents have to make everything even more difficult than it already is!

[jennandgreg]

My FH and I are having a Western Wedding that will be held at the BM house. We are planning it to be outside and it will be Sept 8th so the heat shouldn't be a problem. We were going to have the reception outside to but I was worried about it so we have booked a hall for the reception. Only family will be at the actual wedding.

[PrincessLaura]

I am having an outdoor wedding in my FIL's back yard, they have a gorgeous house, and beautiful back yard! It is going to be at 5:00pm in mid-November. I dont think it will be too difficult, it sounds like a lot more ladies are having outdoor weddings than I previously thought!

[KatylovesNick]

Outdoor weddings are very popular now. We are having an outdoor ceremony, but we have a gazebo. If it is going to be hot we may give out umbrellas for party favors.. Those really pretty ones.... :)

[steelcutter2003eeda]

We're having an outdoor wedding and the reception at our house. Not sure where the ceremony will be yet though, I just know I want it outside.

[Fordkongffba]

I had a friend get married on the beach in For Bragg, Cali. It was a nice ceremony. She only had 10 people there and her reception was held at the house that she had rented for the weekend. The house was next to the she got married at. It was small and simple. My FH and I are planning an outdoor wedding. I like where we are having it and does he. To us we want somthing small and simple we have found the simple part. Now it is just putting the rest ofthe wedding together.

[KatylovesNick]

Lets all hope for nice weather on our outdoor weddings!!!

[JeanBrian]

I had an outdoor wedding in my parents backyard. They live on the water and the theme was luau and it was just lovely. We had a backup plan in case it rained. Well the backup was go in the house.....:D I did alot of praying but it turned out great. It was hot (Aug 5th in Fla.) but there was a swimming pool and plenty of frozen cocktails to cool us off.......:D It was just a wonderful day. Checkout our website, Brianandjean.com to see pics!

[KatylovesNick]

aww how great. Ourdoor weddings when the weather is good are the best way to go. You get the natural surrondings as your decorations and there is just something about the outdoors to make it even more beautiful. What a great thing your parents live on the water. :) Your pictures are fantastic!

[JeanBrian]

Thanks Katy! Another thing I did that I thought was cool. I bought 6 small palm trees that we lined up along the aisle. These plants now are planted in our backyard. They basically did double duty. They decorated our wedding and now we have a piece of the wedding, year round, in our backyard! :D

[KatylovesNick]

Aww what a great idea. EVery time you see your wedding palm tree's you will remember. What a great idea. :)

[jimnkaren]

We had our reception at our home. It was wonderful, we had a wine theme for our wedding. We had a arch that had grape lights that went on to our decks/dance floor. Everyone was very relaxed and had a great time. Outdoor wedding do seem to be the thing to do now. Both of us are very happy that we had our cermony at our church and reception at home, (even though we spent months getting the yard ready). Good luck with your planning.:)

Karen:)

[KatylovesNick]

aww that sounds like fun karen. What a neat theme to have for an outdoor wedding. :)