Outdoor Wedding Tips

My previous blog post was about decorating outdoor weddings. Now (assuming) that the ceremony venue is all decorated and pretty, I would like to provide some tips on outdoor weddings itself. While there are many aspects to planning a wedding, there are also many considerations when planning an outdoor wedding. Here are some of my tips.

1. Have signs that direct your guests to your ceremony site. You don’t want your guests to break a sweat (walking around or stressing out driving) to find your ceremony site!


2. If there is a “hike” to the ceremony site, tell your guests that. This information can be relayed to guests on the invitation “A short 10 minute walk is required to get to the ceremony site” or by word of mouth. Whichever way you chose, communicate this to your guests, they will thank you for it (and wear appropriate footwear!)


3. Check the weather and be prepared. If there is a 30% chance of showers, have extra umbrellas for your guests. If it is going to be 30 degrees outside, have some bottled water and/or fans for your guests. The more comfortable your guests are, the more they are going to enjoy your ceremony.


4. Seated ceremony. It does not matter how many guests you are having at your ceremony. It is necessary to have chairs for your guest to sit on if your ceremony is going to be longer than 30 minutes. Standing any longer than 30 minutes is just plain uncomfortable.


5. Let guests know what to expect next. After the ceremony, have your friend/family member/MC tell all your guests what is next on the agenda. Guests like to know if they are to leave for the reception, stay behind for pictures, or help move chairs (hopefully, not!)

Here are some inspiration pictures from fellow WPIC wedding planner, Terra Law with Inspired Occasions. Terra definitely thinks about all the details to ensure you and your guests have a wonderful time. If you are in need of a fabulous wedding planner, contact Terra!

Outdoor Weddings

Last weekend I went camping in an attempt to enjoy the outdoors, relax, and not think about weddings. I succeeded on the first two, the last not so much. I really didn't think I had a chance to succeed on the last. As I was sitting at the camp site I started to look around and really enjoy my surroundings. Immediately I thought about outdoor wedding ceremonies and how they are decorated. Here are some of my tips for brides that are planning to decorate their own outdoor wedding.

1. Work with your surroundings – The advantage of having an outdoor wedding is you may already have a beautiful backdrop. Don’t cover it up by adding a lot of “eye clutter.” Keep it clean and simple.
2. Plan around your surroundings – If there is a beautiful pathway with wild flowers, make this the aisle that you walk down. Have your ceremony at end of the pathway.
3. Resist pruning, cutting or laying down sod – Even if there is a bare patch of grass, resist the urge to lay down some sod. Instead of standing on top of this bare patch, you can turn your ceremony 180 degrees and face the other way. Your guests won’t notice they are sitting on a bare patch of grass.
4. Add natural elements for decorations – Add decorations that would fit in with your surroundings naturally. Potted plants, leaves, and stones are all good choices.
5. Take in the outdoors, the good and bad – You get a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony but you also get the insects and pests along with it. Relax, ignore pests, and enjoy your day. Afterall, they were there first. You are actually interrupting their space and possible wedding ceremony.

Here are some inspiration pictures taken by the talented Wei Quek at Photobolic.

Tropical Flower Arrangements

A couple of weeks ago I was "twittering" my excitement about the tropical floral arrangements I was making for the Puerto Rican themed wedding. For the wedding, I made three large and tall arrangements for the fire place mantel where the ceremony was held; a small arrangement for the guest sign-in table; and eight centerpieces. The flowers used include orchids, birds of paradise, helicona torch, and ginger flowers. Here are some pictures of the floral arrangements!

Puerto Rican Oasis Wedding

With only one and a half months before their wedding date, Magdalis and Kevin contacted me to provide wedding decorating services for their wedding at the Prince of Peace Manor in Chestermere. As we were talking during our consultation, I felt that my heart stopped a couple of times. My heart stopped because the venue presented a number our challenges for me. First, the Prince of Peace Manor is a retirement home. The room that was booked was for the ceremony and reception. Second, the room was fully (and I mean fully) furnished with furniture that could not be moved out of the room. Third, both the ceremony and reception was supposed to be held in room. There will be at least 50 guests in the room.

In order to get my heart pumping again, I had to talk about something else. I asked Magdalis and Kevin why they picked this venue. Kevin told me that his parents live across the street from this Manor, it is very convenient for them to attend the wedding. Magdalis told me that her parents will be coming to Calgary from Puerto Rico for the first time one week before the wedding.

After hearing their stories, I suggested that we brighten the room with the color of burnt orange and tropical flowers. The look that we wanted to achieve is a Puerto Rican Oasis. We want the guests to forget that they are in the game room of a retirement home. The ceremony will be set up in front of the fireplace with aisle style seating. Tables and chairs will be set up around the room for the reception. Check out the pictures from the wedding!

Guest Sign-In Table

Signing of Registry Table

Cake Table

Ceremony

Overall Look of the Room