Wediquette Wednesday - Outdoor Wedding Etiquette

You and your finacee are an outdoorsy couple so it just makes sense that you would celebrate the beginning of your new life together outside.  Outdoor weddings are fantastic and can be as simple or as formal as you want, but there are some simple etiquette rules that you need to keep in mind when planning your outdoor wedding.




Inform Your Guests
You must make sure to include the information of an outdoor wedding on your wedding invitations, along with the formality of your celebration.  This will give your guests enough time to purchase the appropriate attire for the wedding day. 

Accomadate Your Guests
It is totally up to the hosts (you and your fiancee) to offer items to your guests for comfort purposes.  Water bottles, umbrellas, fans, or flip-flops if you like, are all great things to hand out to your guests to keep them comfortable.  Also, depending on where you live and the time of the day, sunscreen and bugspray might be appropriate.  You might want to have your attendants hand out extra tissues to those that might need to cover a sneeze due to allergies.

The Backup Plan
You should always have a "Plan B" when you are planning an outside wedding.  Renting an indoor site at the same place the celebration is being held is optimal, but renting tents or making sure your church is available on that day are also very appropriate.

The Sound System
You should arrange for microphones for yourselves and your officiant to guarantee all guests will hear every wonderful word being said.  You can ususally work something out with your band or DJ, but many wedding rental companies will have a system available to rent.

Decor
I am all about the simple wedding decor (the less is more rule), and when you will be getting married outside, even less is needed.  Keep the colors complimentary to the surroundings.  Let your colors and the simple decor enhance the beauty of the place you chose to exchange your vows. 

Enjoy!!