Planning a Beautiful Garden Wedding

With so many brides wanting a summer wedding and there being a limited amount of venues and dates, brides are looking at creating their own perfect outdoor wedding. This is no easy feat though! There are so many things to consider (from weather to bathrooms). I found a wonderful article written by Ms. Jane Fearnley-Whittingstall that sums up all the things to consider for a perfect garden wedding. Here are her tips:

• Check local climate records. Go for a time of low rainfall, warm days and frost-free nights. Make sure your wedding site is in an area that won't get muddy or flood if it rains.
• Choose a date to suit your garden. This may mean planning a long time ahead -- I was sad my beautiful roses were not blooming for Sophy's wedding, but by the time we came to book the church, the only Saturday available was a week too early for the roses.
• Decide where the tent will go. You're convinced it won't rain on the day? Don't push your luck. You can get tents with windows so guests can still see your lovely garden. If the weather turns out perfect, roll up the tent's sides, leaving just a canopy providing welcome shade.
• Provide shade from the sun and shelter from showers. Older guests appreciate a choice of places to sit down, as does anyone in stiletto heels whose feet are killing them. Set out a few tables and chairs under canvas gazebos or garden umbrellas.
• Take your cue for decorating the tent and tables from the garden, basing color schemes and themes on flowers that will be blooming on the day. Keep it simple -- let the garden be the star.
• It may get chilly in the evening. Arrange for heat lamps or splurge on a heated tent.
• Bathrooms! If there aren't enough in your house, hire portable facilities. The nice looking ones!
• Rent a P.A. system so guests can clearly hear the ceremony. Useful too for speeches and music at the reception. Make sure an electricity supply is available.
• Let the neighbors know. If you're using your own backyard, make sure to ask the neighbors if you can use their driveway and apologize in advance for the noise. Better yet, invite them!
• Make a smooth path from car to garden. Nobody expects a red carpet, but some kind of matting is useful to cover mud or dust.
• Have a policy about children and stick to it. They are easier guests in a garden than at a more formal venue, and parents do appreciate being able to bring them along. One of the best things we did for Sophy's wedding was to hire a professional nanny service to look after babies and toddlers.
• Finally, nobody, not the groom, not the maid of honor, not even the father of the bride, should make a speech lasting more than five minutes.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Anne Designs