Outdoor Weddings — The Knot Community

What time to start outdoor ceremony?

mandapat21 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 06:49:31 +0000

Hello!

My wedding ceremony & reception is May 21, 2011 in Las Vegas in my dad's backyard. My two main concerns are (1) heat and (2) sunlight

Average weather for May is 88 H/ 60 L, so it could be pretty hot. I was considering a morning wedding, but to avoid the heat, I think I would have to start it at 10:30 AM, which is pretty early for guests to arrive. I am not sure, but I think quite a few of them will be driving 6 hrs to get here.

According to this website, sunset will be around 7:45 PM. So, I am thinking I could have the wedding ceremony from 5:30-5:50, with the dinner & cake from roughly 6:00-8:00 pm.

Is there any way of guessing how the lighting would be during the ceremony? As in, can you know if the light would be blinding? Or is it a bad time for photography?

What do you think is the best time? When did you have your outdoor ceremony?

Thank you so much for any thoughts, comments, or suggestions :)

My apologies if these questions have already been addressed.

Looking for reviews of Steele Hill Resort in Sanbornton, NH

msobol — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 14:15:35 +0000

Anyone out there have a review of weddings at the Steele Hill Resort? I am looking for information on the views, staff, reception area's and accommodations.

Thanks!

How do you decorate?

kaityb40 — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:29:04 +0000

I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions on decorating and outdoor wedding. We are have the ceremony and reception in a secluded park but I'm trying to figure out how I would decorate without spending a huge amount of money. We are on a budget. Also I'm trying to figure out what I can put up to stand behind until I'm ready to walk out so that nobody sees me before I start walking. :)

Venue for an outdoor fall wedding in northern IL- looking for renovated barn

elisesimcox91 — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 20:11:18 +0000

My fiance and I are hoping to have our cermony outside in early October and are hoping to have the reception inside of a renovated barn. We will have somewhere between 120-150 guets attending. Any suggestions? We were hoping somewhere in the Galena or St. Charles area.

Thanks, E.

thought I would share...

rachipooh7 — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:59:47 +0000

I bought these for my bridesmaids and myself of course! We are having our ceremony on grass so now no one will sink :)

http://thesolemates.com/

my co-workers daughter wore these at her wedding and said they were wonderful! :)

hope this helps

Help Ideas for a Camo Wedding

JessicaChambers21 — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:31:14 +0000

I need more Ideas and websites for an outdoor camo wedding? Our wedding date is Oct 22, 2011

mosquitos in october?

sof0830 — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 03:40:03 +0000

We live on the east coast..near philadelphia. Wondering how the mosquito issue will be since we're having an outdoor wedding in October. It will be in our backyard. About a week ago, we were outside and we were bit up...I HOPE this won't happen on the 2nd of October! any thoughts on this?

reception decor help!!!

klhennes — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:10:28 +0000

Sorry for the long post!

I need advice on my reception decor. Our entire wedding is going to be at an outdoor venue in the spring in Arizona and our colors are apple green,medium brown and ivory. The guys' suits are tan and my bridesmaids' dresses are a shimmery tafetta medium brown. I've worked some pink hydrangea into my boquet that is otherwise all green because I feel that our colors are otherwise too plain with the surrounding natural environment being the same colors basically as our attire and decor.

One more thing, is that we already have a theme, which is apples. Some centerpieces are green apples stacked ontop of cake stands, and some will be green and white stock (flowers) in clear vases with sliced apples (similar to how you see limes in vases sometimes) So my first question is, do you agree that our color scheme is too plain and do you think that I should work some more pale-ish pink into the color scheme to liven things up? Also, do you think that if I add lanterns and poms into the mix that I'm confusing the theme when I already have the apple thing going on?

I'm thinking of hanging some ivory paper lanterns along with some apple green and ivory paper poms throughout the space and I may add some pink into the mix if I decide pink is needed. I'm also thinking of doing some sturdier poms on the guestbook and escort card tables with foam balls at the center, which I may do some in pink as well.

I really appreciate any advice! I'm stuck on this one! I don't want to make things too busy, but I feel like the reception needs something!

Here's some pics:

I was already thinking of going poms in these colors, maybe lighter on the brown & a bit darker on the green...

Here's my inspiration for lanterns & poms:

Finally, here's some inspiration for some poms i want to do for the tables. Some of these are pink & I think if I keep them a light color like the ones here, it could be pretty with the other colors.

beach wedding in South FL....

elenam1209 — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 03:18:06 +0000

We are planning our wedding for September 2011 on the East Coast of South FL. Yes I know it's hurricane season but that's when we decided :) (If it rains we do have a back up for the ceremony) My question.....if anyone has is getting married in South FL...West Palm area....are there any places you can recommend? Flowers, cakes, and venues (we're still open for a venue) Any other concerns I need to think of with having a beach wedding?? thanks :)

Dance floor or no dance floor?

KristenMichelle1986 — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:08:05 +0000

We're renting a HUGE party tent for the reception (250 people)....and we're stuck on whether or not to include a dance floor. I've heard good and bad things about them. Would it be a problem to just have people dance on the grass? We're having a semi-formal country wedding (my girls are wearing short dresses with cowboy boots)...so it'll be more casual than super formal...but I kinda feel bad expecting people to dance on the grass...although I think it'd be fun to just kick off our shoes and have fun! What do you think??

our rustic backyard wedding DIY stuff -- almost all done!

sof0830 — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:03:17 +0000

basket of flip flops that we embellished with twine/burlap/flower

basket that was embellished to put in about 70 home-made coffee chocolate chip muffins made by my future sis-in-law

re-purposed wood from a fallen tree from our yard-we carved it & polyeurthaned it for our drinks table

home-made lollipops that look like "leaves" will be part of our dessert table

Re-purposed wood again! It says "Sign in TABLE"

Clear box that we polyeurthaned for guests to put in "wishes or memories
on a 3x5 card"

Mason jars that have LED tealights that will hang from all our trees. hung with fishing wire. At the bottom is sand to hold tealight in place

November Michigan Wedding

meghan_gilliam — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 11:17:32 +0000

I'm planning a wedding for November 12, 2011 in central/northern Michigan - I need to know what you all think about the weather - I'm aware that it may be a little chilly, but only the ceremony will be outdoors and then our pictures. How did you November wedding pictures turn out? I'm trying to nail down the date - thanks!

Backyard wedding tree idea that I loved seeing online. any thoughts?

sof0830 — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:51:00 +0000

http://ruffledblog.com/2010/07/diy-backyard-burlap-wedding-in-virginia-by-heather-espana/

We are re-creating this look of the "swag" on the trees by ordering the burlap and tulle from an online fabric store. My mom is a seamstress and the trees in our backyard are very similar to these in the link. I HOPE and pray things go well. The feel for us is overall "relaxed, small , yet classy"...buffet appetizers all night, drinks, small cake, about 60 people total. no bridal party. just me and our little 3 yr. old and my partner in crime , Joe! lol

moving from ceremony to reception?

molliebrowne — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:49:05 +0000

I need some advice. I am having an outdoors wedding, at a friends house, in the field behind his house. Non traditional wedding. The problem I am having is how to transition from the actual ceremony to the reception. It's all going to be in the same area, so after the "kiss the bride" moment, I'm not sure where to go. Do we kiss then move straight to the reception area to have our first dance? How do we make it not awkward for everyone? As a guest, what would you think is neat?

"Fancy" Plastic

Poppy715 — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 03:18:32 +0000

How does everyone feel about "fancy plastic" dinner wear? Our reception and ceremony are both completely outdoors and pretty much in the woods. I think people will forgive us for not having a huge stack of dishes for everyone to use. I am thinking about having regular silverwear and water glasses and possibly glasswear at the bar also. How does everyone feel about the plastic? I'd love to hear the reasons for the yays and nays.

Should I get a tent

fieldra — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 04:01:02 +0000

I live in Bend, Oregon where it's sunny about 300 days out of the year. I am getting married next summer in July and am worried about the heat with the elderly people. Tents are soo expensive. Do you think I need one for shade if the wedding is at 5pm??

Newbie!

aspe85 — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:01:58 +0000

Hi guys,
I've been creepin' around on this page for awhile now and thought I should finally introduce myself!!

Knottie name: Aspe85
Location of wedding: Edmonton, AB (Canada)
Wedding date: August 27, 2011
Colours: Black and White (main), Pink, Purple and Orange (accents)
Engaged: October 11, 2009

Booked: Ceremony Venue, Reception Venue, Photographer, Florist
Got my dress already too!!

We're getting married in a botanic garden (obviously outdoors) and I've been lurking on this board for a while gathering ideas and such!

Look forward to planning with you girls!!!

A

Bugs be gone.

Hannahandbrandononeal — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:08:27 +0000

I'm getting married outside next June and I really don't want anyone getting bug bites. So how can keep the bugs away and make the citronella chandles part of the decore? I'm not a fan of tiki touches so I would rather not just them. Or is there something other than a candle I can use to repel the bugs? Any help would be great! Thanks!

So lost on colors! HELP!

kates84 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:30:10 +0000

Hi Girls!
I thought I had my colors picked out but now that I am looking into save-the-dates and invitations I don't know if I'm in love with the colors! EEEEk! It just seems so final now.
I first chose chocolate brown, sky blue and a sage green.
Now I am thinking chocolate brown, pale yellow and a sage green.
I want my girls to be dressed in something they can wear again, I don't want them to be stuck with something that will forever live in their closests. So I was thinking chocolate brown for their dresses and we can 'fun' it up with accessories. (aka, a big flower in our hair or something) I was talking with my aunt who will be doing our cake and she pointed out that with blue and green we can't too much flower wise on the cake, or flower wise at all.
I will get married outdoors at a ranch. Taber Ranch to be exact. Taberranch.com <-Heres the website if you need an idea of what it looks like.
My finace doesn't like red and I am not much of a pink princess girl. I love the idea of orange but don't want it to feel like halloween.
The wedding will be next June.
Any thoughts and ideas would be a great help. I am losing my mind in 'color world' over here! lol

Keeping cool in the heat..

texagj — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:49:56 +0000

Hi everyone,

I'm getting married in April next year. I wish i could say I had a pretty good idea about how the weather is going to be but it seems like most times San Antonio is in its own weather bubble where anything could happen. One year around that time we had a freak cold front..another year it was hot and slightly humid.. another time it was a nice sunny 78 degrees. In the end we have decided to prepare for some heat and we are just crossing our fingers :)

Here is my question....I thought it would be nice to have something to keep the guests cool during the ceremony. I have read about giving out beverages before hand or paper fans..I was just wondering what some of you did or are planning to do for your outdoor wedding.

Canopy Ideas?

Lisa50 — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 21:29:39 +0000

Our wedding ceremony will be on a slate terrace. We'd like to get married under a canopy (ceremony start is 5:30 p.m. in July) to keep us, minister and 2 attendants shaded.

Here's the terrace when set up for a bridal fair:

I've just wrapped floral/decor appts this week (with two vendors) and am not impressed by their canopy offerings for a couple of reasons. First, prices ($500; $375) seem high given that all but the decorative flowers are reusable. Second, they don't seem to look like anything special. Those reasons are inter-coupled, really, b/c if they looked like something special, I'm sure I wouldn't think the prices are too high! Ha!

Anyhoo ... I'm thinking of going either the DIY (can't believe I'm writing this, the FI and I are SO not DIYers!) or custom route. I've seen a few resources for DIY canopies. Do you have any suggestions for custom resources? Heck, if we have to dish out $500 or more, I may as well get exactly what I want and then re-sell.

FYI ... the canopy below is over the top (no pun intended), way too ornate for us:

I'm eager to hear your opinions. Thank you, ladies!!

Not an outdoor wedding, but the possibility of snow...(sadly long, sorry)

mstroud23 — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:06:54 +0000

I am having an indoor ceremony followed by indoor reception. My problem (potentially major) is that we are getting married in Yosemite, in March. We always planned on getting married in Yosemite (in the fall). However, we were forced to move our date out to March. The weather in March in Yosemite can be anything from blizzard to beautiful low 70s in the day and low 40s at night. The major southern route is not open and any vehicle entering the park (regardless if its 4x4 or awd) has to carry chains. Most of my family has vehicles that are 4wheel or awd and therefore do not have chains. My family from Los Angeles will have to fly to Sacramento then drive the two hours southeast to Yosemite. Most of my family has expressed the desire to drive home afterwards so we have not blocked off hotel rooms. What do we do if the weather is terrible and people can't get out?? The lodge won't do a refund no matter what. They say the Park is never closed and therefore they do not offer refunds. I can actually recall several times in the past 5yrs the park has closed, but they are firm on the no refund. Any thoughts??

well the future hubby wants a camo weddin

britanychris — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:03:04 +0000

my fiance wants a camo weddin which is cool cuz i act. wanted that to but idk how to do it my dress the flower every thing and use to i always had it in my head but now since its act. time to plan it i have no idea what to do lol some one help plz lol

check out this outdoor venue-relaxed & laid back

sof0830 — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:15:09 +0000

www.stylemepretty.com/2010/09/01/48067/" title="blocked::http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/09/01/48067/">http://www.stylemepretty.com/2010/09/01/48067/
Turns out i just love it! so simple and what a gorgeous day. i like the site quite a bit

One year from today...

ksarnold — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:14:17 +0000

..I'll be getting ready to walk down the aisle!!!! YAYYY!! I'm so excited!! Since I'm so used to writing it, I've been putting today's date as 9-10-11 all day at work! Thank goodness for white out..

Ceremony Decorations

awilson16 — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 02:32:07 +0000

I have booked the Heard Museum in McKinney. I love the reception location but a little unsure to how I am going to decorate the ceremony location. It is an amphitheater and is the only place there that is big enough to have the ceremony. If anybody have any ideas about how to decorate such a big outdoor area please let me know. I picture of it is below.

outdoor rental ovens??

ashes8902 — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:52:01 +0000

i'm trying to plan a wedding in my uncles beautiful backyard with my mom catering.... i'm trying to find like mobile ovens to use... anyone have ideas???

Ball gown at an outdoor wedding?

ksteffen87 — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 02:01:46 +0000

Hi!
I've been engaged almost 2 years and it has taken me as long to find a gown I absolutely love. When I found it, we had not yet chosen a location for our wedding. I bought it on a whim because I just... I don't know how to explain it, but the dress is perfect! Well, we just chose to wed in my Grandma's backyard. It is definitely not a mansion or anything of the sort, but it is beautiful and is very special to us.

My question is... would a ballgown be way too much for an outdoor wedding? I can't imagine giving up my dress, but I can't imagine giving up the location either!

Thanks in advance!!

Vineyard Wedding?

ksarnold — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:06:31 +0000

Are any of you having a vineyard wedding? If you are, head over to Wedding Theme Boards > Vineyard Wedding !!!!! It really needs to liven up, and we have some great ladies here to do it!!! :)

E-Pics!

aspe85 — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:07:28 +0000

Hey Ladies!
Just had to share my excitement a little :) We had our engagement pics done last night at the place we're getting married.. it was SOOO much fun. I was nervous for about a week (what am I gonna wear.. what if I get a zit.. can he make me look good?) haha but it went off pretty much without a hitch.. there was only one.. I woke up on Wednesday morning with a FAT LIP!! I'm not quite sure why, and I still actually don't know why, but by yesterday morning it had gone down a bit, so I'm just hoping you can't notice it too much in the pictures.. haha

When he puts gives me a few teasers I will share them, hopefully it'll only be a week or so :)

Happy Friday!