There’s nothing more picture-perfect than standing under a beautiful floral arbour in the sun and exchanging wedding vows with the love of your life. While outdoor weddings are magical and whimsical, they can be tricky to plan in England. First of all, the weather can be infuriatingly unpredictable. Secondly, you need to get married under a fixed roof for it to be legal in England.
While there are some details to iron out, an outdoor wedding isn’t impossible! In this post, we’re sharing some useful tips for planning the wedding of your dreams in Yorkshire. Take a look.
Check the Weather Forecast
Not to state the obvious, but checking the weather forecast before setting the date is extremely important. You can consider getting married in June or August, which promises sunny and warmer weather.
Furthermore, we urge you to have a contingency plan in place. Consider purchasing wedding insurance that will provide you cover in case of cancellation due to unforeseen weather conditions.
Find a Compromise
As previously mentioned, you can’t legally get married without a fixed roof. Fortunately, you can have the best of both worlds. You can hire a celebrant for the ceremony and officiate your marriage afterwards. On the other hand, you can get married under a bandstand or on a veranda, both of which are approved spaces.
Have a Backup
It’s imperative to have a backup plan if the weather takes a turn for the worse. You can choose a venue that has an outdoor space for the ceremony and an indoor area for the wedding reception. If you want a complete alfresco wedding, then it would be best to set up marquees.
Keep Umbrellas on Stand-By
What if it starts raining in the middle of the ceremony? That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a few umbrellas on standby. Even if it starts drizzling, you can continue the ceremony, thanks to umbrellas!
Choose Rainproof Decor
When selecting decorations for the big day, steer clear of anything that can easily get damaged in water. This includes chalkboard signs and paper decorations. Stick to glass, metal and wood that can withstand rain.
Add Person Touches
While an outdoor wedding is lovely, there are limited opportunities for unique decor. We urge you to find ways to add personal touches to your wedding venue. Instead of a traditional seating chart, use your guest’s photographs to create a personalised arrangement. If you are planning to change your name after getting married, you can display it on a custom wedding sign.
Incorporate Rustic Elements
Extremely polished and extravagant decor usually doesn’t work well for an outdoor wedding. Instead, you should explore rustic elements such as floral arrangements in a mason jar, festoon lights, burlap bows, a tree slice cake stand and so on.
Skip Three-Course Meal
A conventional three-course meal is not only expensive but can also be a hassle if it starts pouring down. Why not make your big day less formal and more fun? From buffets to food trucks, there are plenty of options available.
Don’t Forget a Reliable Generator
Though the sun will naturally illuminate your wedding day, you need to ensure there are enough lighting fixtures for the evening. Additionally, make sure the venue is equipped with a reliable generator.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, you can’t ensure everything will go smoothly regardless of how much you plan. And that’s okay! Instead of panicking over little details, focus on enjoying your big day and saying ‘I do’ to your soulmate. Hopefully, the aforementioned tips will help you put together your dream wedding.
