Calgary’s recent snow/rain/sun weather in May has prompted me to write this post to all the brides that are planning an outdoor wedding ceremony or reception. I totally understand why brides would choose to have an outdoor wedding. You get lovely natural scenery, beautiful lighting, and tons of opportunities to decorate your wedding outside the box (room).
As a wedding designer, I love designing outdoor ceremonies. It allows my creativity to run wild. Often when I go visit a venue (or a patch of land) with my clients, all they see is an empty patch of land with an awesome view. I, on the other hand, is waving my hands all over and telling them where I imagine guests sitting, the path the groom will walk, and where the bride will walk down the imaginary aisle. One time, my clients asked me if I used to play “pretend” when I was a kid. (I answered proudly, yes.)
As a guest, I am not fond of outdoor ceremonies that haven’t been well thought out. There are so many things that have to be researched and planned prior to the wedding to ensure it runs smoothly. Here are three of my own personal experiences and some tips I can offer.
Wedding #1: The sun was shining the morning of a wedding I was to attend. By the time the ceremony was going to start, dark clouds started to roll in and pour. Luckily for me and three other guests, I had my golf umbrella with me. Tip: Although Calgary weather is unpredictable, you can still check the historical weather data to get some sense of what the weather will be like on your wedding day. If there is a chance of poor weather, remember to:
1. Have an alternative location where your wedding can be held. I always suggest to my clients to check with their reception venue first. This option should be the least amount of cost and confusion to your guests.
2. Indicate on your wedding invitation that there is a “Wet Weather Option.” This gives your guests a heads up that the ceremony venue may change due to weather and where the alternate location may be.
3. Consider renting a tent for the day and buy extra umbrellas for your unprepared guests. Most likely your guests dressed up for your wedding. It is only courtesy that you make the necessary arrangements to ensure they all remain looking gorgeous by the end of the ceremony.
Wedding #2: During the wedding ceremony, the sun was at its peak and blasting in my eyes. I squinted during the entire time of the ceremony and none of my pictures came through. Tip: When viewing your venue, try to visit during the time your wedding ceremony would be at. This way, you will know roughly the position of the sun and can make changes accordingly. For example, you can have your vow area face a different direction.
Wedding #3: Last year, I think Calgary hit 25 degrees twice during the summer. For one of those days, I was a guest at a wedding ceremony. The heat was so unbearable that I was turning my arms like a rotisserie chicken to prevent a sun burn. Tip: Tents are not just for rainy weather, they can also be used to shield your guests from heat. An alternative would be to provide your guests with fans or better yet a nice cold soda.
Here are some pictures of a rainy wedding taken by
Fuller Edge Photography.
