If you’re having your wedding at a beach, park, farm or forest, there may be some extra planning needed, especially if you’re doing the organising yourselves:
1. Who will set up the hired chairs, signing table, arch and aisle carpet? For a stress-free start to your day, consider recruiting your hire company’s set-up specialists.
2. Who will pack down? Do you really want your guests to be dragging chairs and flower-covered arches off the lawn or over the sand dunes? Again, having a team on hand to do moving for you will make for a smooth-running celebration.
3. What’s the go with serving food and alcohol? Many beaches or public reserves will have rules against serving booze onsite. Your local council will help with this information,
4. Love the idea of a beach wedding? Remember to check the tides well in advance of printing your invites – unless you want your guests to be paddling in the shallows while you say “I do”. Also check where the sun will be. Your photographer will be very grateful!
5. What will the weather be like for the celebration? You can only know for sure on the day itself – so be sure to have a Plan B in case it’s less than ideal. Even if the weather is fine, crashing waves and wind can be noisy, so a portable, battery-operated, PA system is usually a must, even for a smaller gathering. This can be used for music too.
6. Is your location easily accessible? Particularly if your vows are taking place in a private or remote location, it pays to consider whether your guests – particularly the older ones – will be able to traverse the beach or bush necessary in order to watch your big moment. A basket of jandals can be handy for guests, or warn them to wear suitable footwear.
7. If the weather doesn’t come to the party and you’re forced to relocate, how will you let your guests know? Consider setting up an email group before the big day, so you can notify guests of the change with the click of a button. Advise on invitations to check emails if the weather’s looking questionable on the big morning.
8. Can you use rose petals? Many venues – particularly outdoor ones – have rules about what you can use. Leaving no rubbish behind you is a given (and it can be good idea to check the location before the ceremony in case other people have left rubbish lying around).
9. Everyone loves a sunny day, but spare a thought for your guests who could be sitting in the sun for a lengthy duration pre-wedding. If your ceremony is due to kick off in the heat of the day, consider hiring parasols, umbrellas and marquees. And if you’re the bride, try not to be more than 15 minutes late. On time is even better!
10. Particularly if you have arranged a post-ceremony portrait session, consider what your guests will do during that time. Arranging entertainment – such as a photo booth, a musician or lawn games – will prevent that break in events from dragging out. Or they may need time to change into more formal gear before the reception.