Every bride and groom who decides to have their wedding outside
of a church usually already have a good idea of where they want
their ceremony preformed. Many couples have planned their
wedding in a park or beautiful garden area. If you are trying
to decide where you want to make your memories, here are a few
considerations to think about if a garden wedding is on your
list.
Many things should be thought about before planning your garden
wedding; however the biggest factor that could ruin your dream
garden is the weather. It’s okay to go ahead with your plans as
is, however you should have a backup location chosen or be
prepared to set up a tent in the event the weatherman has made
a mistake! You can also talk to your florist about weatherizing
flowers and helping to protect them in the event bad weather
should become a factor. Mother Nature cannot create magic, so
using common sense is necessary.
When planning a garden wedding, remember that the weather can
also take its toll on food. If you intend to have dairy
products, such as butter, cheese or mayonnaise, hot weather may
spoil them and leave you with hungry guests. Think about serving
hot food that will stay preserved in hot weather. You can also
create ice bowls, in which you place dishes in bowls of ice,
keeping them cool and helping them to last longer.
Another factor to take into consideration when planning a
garden wedding is the noise level. Visit the garden and listen
before making your decision. Is traffic going to cause a
problem? It is not romantic to say your vows while horns are
honking and tires are squealing! Also, is the garden located in
a busy park? Will there be children playing close by and
families picnicking? Stop and listen for sounds that may become
a problem in making your day special.
Wedding attire is another thought to be considered when
planning your garden wedding. While choosing attire for
yourself and your wedding party, keep in mind that with hot
climates and sticky temperatures, heavily lined dresses may not
be suitable for the outdoors. A sweaty wedding party will not
compliment your big day and will create misery for those who
want to help make this day special. Also keep away from heels,
which can sink into grass, making walking down the aisle
awkward for everyone.
The guests also need to be thought about when planning your
garden wedding. Although they will be sitting comfortably
listening to you and your groom exchange vows, think about
restroom facilities. Are the restrooms clean and free of
unpleasant smells? If not, you may think about renting clean,
portable facilities for the day.
Even if you take all of these things into consideration when
planning your garden wedding, mishaps may still occur, however
using these tips can help to make your day just the way you
want it to be: memorable.
Kirsten Hawkins | 
