|
Outdoor Tent
Weddings
by Rose Smith
I think
everyone, at one time or another, toys with the idea of having
an outdoor wedding. The fresh air, the room and the freedom it
inspires fills us with romantic notions of how perfect our
wedding could be.
However,
having an outdoor wedding comes with its own challenges. Here
are a few you should take into consideration:
The Weather
Consider
the climate conditions of where you live. Is it normally hot and
sunny...or do you tend to get quite a bit of rain during the
season of your wedding date? How much does it cool down during
the evening? If the wedding is in the late afternoon while it's
still hot, but the reception goes on late into the night, will
guests get cold outdoors? Remember, most of us tend to dress for
the weather at the time of the wedding, and often don't consider
what the temperature will be like later in the evening.
The Costs
Outdoor
weddings tend to be more expensive than indoor weddings. You
will need to rent everything, then pay to have it all set up.
Having a tent is a must. You will need it to help shield people
from the hot sun during the day, as well as from any sudden
downpours you may unexpectedly receive.
You will
also need to rent the tables, chairs, tableware, etc. and have
to pay for someone to set it all up for you.
With an
indoor wedding, all of these items are supplied by the location
of your choosing. So, be prepared to budget more for an outdoor
wedding and be sure you get estimates (in writing) from various
vendors.
Booking Early
With any
sort of outdoor tent wedding, you must be prepared to book
everything early...at least 8 to 10 months in advance. However,
be sure you book and consult with your caterer first, to
determine whether they know how to handle and accommodate an
outdoor wedding.
Arrange for On-Site Consultations
Make sure
to have on-site consultations with all your vendors, including
the tent rental company, the caterer, the florist, the
decorator, the musicians, etc. You will need to give each of
them a run-down on how you want the area set up and where items
(and people) will be located. You will also need to determine
with your vendors how much advanced time they will need to set
up.
Also be
sure to make arrangements to have everything dismantled after
your wedding. Remember to budget this into your costs as well.
It might be a good idea (if you budget allows) to hire someone
to oversee the setup on the day of the wedding, so that nothing
goes wrong.
Keeping Track
Having an
outdoor wedding can be very romantic and fun, but it does take a
lot of advance planning and coordination.
Keep a
small notebook handy so you can quickly jot down all upcoming
appointments, ideas (which often appear at the strangest of
times), vendor names and phone numbers, plus anything else that
you think is relevant. This will become your "little wedding
bible" as your special day draws nearer and you will probably
refer to it quite often.
Remember,
advanced planning and budgeting will keep everyone happy,
healthy and sane.
Rose Smith
has been providing helpful information on wedding planning for
many years. For wedding theme ideas, articles and resources,
visit her website Wedding Themes and More at
http://www.wedthemes.com.
 |
