There are so many reasons why couples choose to work with a wedding celebrant. However, when I speak to my lovely clients, there’s one reason that comes up time and time again - outdoor wedding ceremonies. As a celebrant-led wedding can take place anywhere, everywhere is a potential venue. I’ve led ceremonies in woodlands, in gardens, in a vineyard and even on an island in the middle of the River Thames! If you like the thought of taking your vows outside, here are a few tips to make sure that your ceremony is absolutely perfect.
Image: Dominique Bader
Always have a Plan B. Whatever your plans, you can’t control the weather. Always have a back-up plan in case of showers and make sure that all your suppliers know what this is. Also, decide who’ll make the decision to move to the alternative plan and when they’ll make that call.
Get creative with your seating. To make sure that everyone feels part of the ceremony, you could seat everyone in a circle around you or even let some guests stand whilst others sit. Of course, if you like the traditional format, that works perfectly too.
For summer weddings, consider where the sun will be when you work out the layout of your ceremony space. You might want to make sure you’re standing in shade or that you’re not facing into the sun and squinting throughout your vows! Little details but they’ll make a big difference.
Think about microphones. I’m pretty good at doing ‘the big voice’ when needed but if you want to make sure everyone will be able to hear your readers, or your vows, you might need to think about mics, particularly if you’ve got lots of guests.
Consider your backdrop. It might be that you’ve got a particularly pretty spot in mind that will form the backdrop for your ceremony or you might install a super cool backdrop to frame you both. A great backdrop really does make a difference and really brings the wow-factor.
Don’t be afraid to sit down! Standing up throughout your ceremony, particularly on a hot summer day, wearing a big dress or heavy suit, can get hot and tiring. Why not set out two seats so that you can sit down for part of your ceremony?
If you’d like to talk to me about your own outdoor wedding ceremony, do get in touch. I have a real soft spot for al-fresco ceremonies and would love to work with you to create something super special.