10 things you need if you're having an outdoor wedding!

Every wedding should be unique and based around the two people at the centre of it. There are now so many options available to happy couples, and more and more are choosing to exchange their vows outside. This can make for a truly beautiful setting, but there are a great many things to think about too.

Here, Andrew Sinclair, Managing Director of Get Loos has put together our guide on what to have to make the perfect outdoor wedding go smoothly.

A legal marriage

An outdoor wedding can be picture perfect, but unfortunately it is not always legal. Currently in England, you can only be married under a fixed roof, so make sure you check what you can and can’t do. If your heart really is set on saying “I do” on the beach or at the top of a mountain, you may want to consider having an official ceremony at a registry office first before you do it in front of guests.

If you want your outdoor wedding to be your only one, then there are still some fantastic options including bandstands, gazebos, verandas, marquees or even a beach hut if it has been approved by a registrar.

Weather contingencies

No matter how much we pray for sunshine, the weather can never be guaranteed in this country. No-one wants rain on their wedding day, but it is even more of a problem if you get married outside. You might want to have a back up plan of somewhere else to conduct the ceremony or provide plenty of umbrellas which all match your wedding colour scheme.

If you are worried about the temperature dropping then you could leave blankets on seats for your guests to snuggle beneath or think about some well positioned patio heaters.

Portable toilet hire

It’s not the most glamourous thing to think about, but you need to make sure that you provide enough toilets for your guests. If you are outside, it may mean there is a bit of a trek to the nearest toilet, which is not suitable for everyone and can mean that your day loses some of its flow when people disappear for long periods of time. Even if there are toilets close to hand, there is usually not enough of them, and queues can start to form.

Hiring a portable toilet or two can alleviate some of these concerns. They can be placed somewhere safe and discreet so that they won’t intrude on the photos but can ensure that there is always somewhere nearby that guests can use when nature calls.

Keep your guests informed

Make sure that all of your guests know that the wedding is taking place outdoors so that they have the option to dress appropriately. That might mean foregoing the strappy slip dress for something warmer, bringing a waterproof coat or applying extra layers of sun cream.

Those guests who favour a stiletto heel will also welcome the warning to switch to wedges in order to avoid sinking into the grass at regular intervals during the day.

Switch up the food

If your wedding venue isn’t traditional then why should the food be? Don’t be afraid to embrace the fact that you are getting married outdoors and serve up a barbecue, hog roast or even wood-fired pizzas.

They make for a refreshing change and your guests are sure to love them. Many wedding venues also give permission for food trucks to be on site, so have a look at what options are available to really suit your tastes.

Get decorating

We know that nature provides a lot of the decoration for an outdoor wedding, but you will still want to add some personal touches. Flower arches, throws, table decorations and cushions can all work within a theme and make your wedding reflect you even in the great outdoors.

You can add bows or flowers to the back of chairs, runners along tables and decorative wedding favours that all embrace your surroundings and still fit your theme.

Park the seating plan

Being outdoors not only gives you more space, but also takes away the need to follow a lot of the formal rules. If you are worried about who is going to sit opposite Aunt Mabel, then do away with the traditional settings and let everyone choose their own seats, put them all in a circle, or lay out blankets and rugs for a relaxed picnic style gathering.

You can replace chairs with hay bales or tree stumps, swap the top table for a campfire, or even make use of pods and tents.

Let there be light

At some point during your wedding, there will need to be power. Whether it is for food, lighting or the disco, electricity is going to be a must and there may not be easy access. You will therefore need to make sure that there are enough generators to power everything that you need for as long as the party keeps going.

Get people moving

Often guests are expected to make it to a wedding venue under their own steam, but if you are tying the know somewhere less accessible, you may need to look at providing transport. This may also be necessary if parking close to your chosen venue is limited.

This can help to save feet, prevent people being caught in rain showers and help those with mobility issues. Depending on where you are getting married, you could hire a bus or even golf buggies to get people to where the action is.

Get permission

It should go without saying that you will need express permission from the landowner to hold your wedding on their grounds. You should also check whether you need any special permits for parking or access and whether there are restrictions on how long you can play music for.

An outdoor wedding can be a fantastic experience for everyone involved, and with a little planning you can let your imagination run as wild as your setting.