Top Tips for Outdoor Weddings

Many destination wedding couples choose an outdoor location to exchange their vows, and while this is by far one of the most beautiful ways to be married, there are some things to be aware of.

Photo courtesy of Hamilton Island Weddings

Choose a sheltered location

If possible, choose as sheltered a location as possible to avoid heavy winds that can wreak havoc with ceremony decorations, hairstyles and acoustics. If you’re having your ceremony out in the open, consider erecting gazebos to protect you and your guests from the hot sun. I once attended a summer garden wedding in Australia where guests were left to sit out in the hot sun in searing 40 deg c (104F) heat, it was completely unbearable. It’s also a good idea to have a back-up location set aside in the event of bad weather setting in. Keep an eye on local weather reports (or nominate someone to do this for you) so any changes to the ceremony setup or location can be made if it becomes necessary.

Select an appropriate hairstyle

Select a hairstyle appropriate to your outdoor setting. In a hot, humid climate it’s wise to choose an up-style to keep you cool. A windy location can also pose a problem for certain hairstyles so be sure to consider this when deciding on your wedding day hair. If you’re marrying on a hilltop for example, you don’t want to spend the entire ceremony brushing hair out of your face and eyes. Likewise, think about hair pieces that might be affected by wind, heat and humidity. A hairpiece fashioned from delicate orchids might sound like a good idea for a beach wedding, but flowers can quickly wilt if exposed to direct sun and humidity. Not the best look for your wedding photos!

Choose suitable wedding wear

It seems like a no brainer but you’d be surprised how many people neglect to properly consider how their wedding wear will cope during an outdoor wedding. Rather than looking at the average temperature for your location at the time you will be married, also take into account the typical highs and lows. Prepare for weather extremes such as heat and cold, rain and sunshine. This goes for the men too, not just the women in the bridal party. Fabric selection is important since you’ll want to be wearing outfits that will either breathe to keep everyone cool or be heavy enough to block out the cold.  Choose the wrong type of fabric for your circumstances and you will regret it within minutes of arriving for your wedding ceremony.

Make sure the site is accessible

Site accessibility is important, particularly if you’ll have guests attending your wedding with disabilities. A wheelchair-bound guest will find it impossible to manoeuvre themselves across beach sand or up stairs. Elderly or physically impaired guests will also be unable to access certain sites that you and others may find perfectly accessible. Think about who will be attending the ceremony and what, if any, special needs they might have.

Have ushers keep uninvited guests at bay

Weddings naturally attract the attention of passersby, but it’s likely you’ll want to retain some sense of intimacy during your outdoor nuptials. If marrying on a beach, you will want to make the most of the gorgeous ocean backdrop minus curious onlookers. Have a couple of ushers on hand to shoo people away when necessary and to ensure that your photographer and videographer get optimum shots without strangers lurking in the background.

You’ll find more great tips and advice related to outdoor and destination weddings in Destination: Wedding – A guide to planning the destination wedding of your dreams. Order from www.destination-wedding-book.com also available to order from your local bookstore in Australia and the UK.


Feel free to share your own tips in the comments below we'd love to hear them!