And if you prefer to read, here's the summary of the podcast episode!

Today I’m sharing with you seven tips on how to have the best outdoor wedding. They’re in no particular order, but the last one is really my favorite hack of all time, so make sure you listen to it!

Regardless of where you are in your wedding planning journey, this episode will help you think through how the elements will affect your plans.

Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best: Contingency Planning Ideas for Outdoor Weddings

If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony or reception, make sure you think of contingency plans for extreme weather.  

For example, I had a wedding scheduled for June 6. Now, in Upstate NY, summer doesn’t really arrive until mid to late June.

I was planning an outdoor ceremony with one of my couples overlooking a vineyard and Seneca Lake behind it. We knew we needed a tent in case it rained. So, we reserved a clear-top tent for our ceremony that wouldn’t block the view of the vineyard and the lake.

 The venue wasn’t so jazzed about us building a tent.  We spent hours going back and forth on the tent logistics. And, of course, Mother Nature decided to surprise us and give us an unprecedented 90-degree day in early June.

If your wedding is going to take place in the fall or colder months, keep in mind that a tent can provide heat and insulation. Always consider what guests will need if there’s an unexpected cold snap.  So, reserve a tent with some heaters AND the tent sides in case it gets cold.

Many couples reserve the tent as an insurance policy and hope that they can cancel it and forfeit the deposit if the weather is 100% perfect. But almost all of them end up keeping it because something unexpected happens and they’re so thankful that they went ahead and reserved it.

Discuss Your Outdoor Wedding Photo Ideas!

 It is also important to think about contingency plans for your photos.

Again, a lot of people think about where they want to take photos during optimal conditions. But you’ll also want to know where you might need to go if there’s a sudden cloudburst and you need to seek shelter.

If you’re getting married in the winter, it’s important to about how much daylight you will have for photos as the sun sets much earlier in the winter.

If you’re getting married in an urban setting, consider if your preferred photo location will also have other wedding parties trying to take photos, too. Some public parks, museums, and monuments require you to request a permit to take photos at the location. So discuss these potential issues with your photographer or planner.

Prepare for Extreme Heat at Your Outdoor Wedding

If you’re planning to take photos outside at your wedding, make sure you pack extra sunscreen and re-apply after you’ve been outside. I’ve had brides with sunburned shoulders and grooms with sunburned heads because they forgot to re-apply their sunscreen

Another idea for your outdoor wedding is for the groom and groomsmen to pack extra button-ups that they can change into if they sweat through one or two of them.

I know it sounds gross, but so many guys sweat through their shirts and then their jackets, so it really helps to have an extra shirt or two to change into!

Order Umbrellas

This is always a question my couples ask me as their wedding approaches. Should we order some umbrellas? I always say yes. I would much rather have cute clear umbrellas standing by just in case and not have to use them that I can just return, rather than feel unprepared and have to scramble if we really want outdoor photos.

Here's the box my couples usually purchase on Amazon. They’re the Totes brand, I think and so far we haven’t had to use them. But you just never know! Also, sometimes photographers and venues have umbrellas, too. So check with your photographer and venue if they have any and what color they are in case you want them to look a certain way.

Outdoor Wedding Drink Ideas: Have a Warm Cider or Champagne and Water Station

Another fun and easy but impactful idea is to have appropriate hydration stations at your wedding. You can have this at your wedding ceremony when guests arrive and before the ceremony starts, at your cocktail hour, or both.

If you’re getting married on a particularly warm day, I think it’s very thoughtful to have a beverage station to help cool off guests at an outdoor ceremony. You can serve something as simple as lemon water or cucumber water, or more elaborate with lemonade and sparkling waters, or you can go the bougey route and have either a station or tray-passed champagne when guests arrive. There are different levels of this idea depending on the style and budget of your wedding.

If you’re getting married during the cooler months, I love the idea of serving hot cocoa, hot cider, or even hot toddies if you want something boozey. Warm drinks are always welcome on a cool day and are a nice way to welcome guests to your wedding.

Cold Weather Idea: Scarves, Blankets, and Jackets for Outdoor Wedding Guests 

Another idea, which you’ve probably already seen, is to order nice matching fur wraps, scarves, muffs, and blankets. The blankets make really nice favors for wedding guests that are outside during your ceremony, or just your wedding party.

Lots of wedding parties have used denim jackets as part of their wedding ensemble and I think they can look really nice if done well. OR if you’re the bride, I LOVE a good leather moto jacket for a slight edge to your wedding day look.

Conclusion