An increasing number of couples are deciding to break the norms and choose unusual venues to get married. A great option to consider if you are thinking about an intimate wedding day is an outdoor wedding or a Garden wedding.

If you worry about the changing weather in our state, there are also options to having an outdoor setting that will survive a rainy day.

How do I organize a Garden wedding?

The ins and outs of wedding planning can be daunting and exhausting. We have prepared this list to get you started and hopefully provide you with some guidance.

1. Consider the season and time of the year of your wedding:

   While planning your wedding day, before you decide on a date try to have a month you will aim for, but keep your mind open, and if possible try to visit the possible locations you have in mind on the same month that your ceremony will take place to have a good idea of what to expect. From previous experience, the best options for ceremonies are during the in-between seasons, which is spring and autumn to avoid extreme temperatures.

2. Define your space and remember to use signs to guide your guests to the ceremony location:

   If you choose a public space like a local park remember to have a way to mark where your guests will come and where they will sit. Make sure that you provide some guidance to get to the ceremony location like a welcome sign. Find way to keep unwanted guests like mosquitos and bugs away from your ceremony by offering mosquito repellant and sunscreen.

3. Keep in mind the time of the day when your ceremony will take place

   Lighting on your wedding day can influence the type of images we can achieve on your wedding day. One of the biggest things to keep in mind is trying to choose a space that has some shade to avoid harsh midday light but also to keep your guests comfortable in the event of having a hot day. In regards to the lighting, the best time of the day for outdoor ceremonies is after lunchtime from around 3 pm onwards when possible.

4. Remember to have a shaded area for the elderly guests

   Looking after your elderly guests is always important to avoid any health-related episodes on your wedding day. I have witnessed many time guests that can be dehydrated on a hot summer day by standing in the sun but also due to the alcohol consumed on a hot day. Another reason to consider a shaded area for your wedding ceremony is the squinting: harsh light can create unflattering shadows on people’s faces and also squinting from both you and your partner and also your bridal party.

5. Consider having a big tree as your ceremony arbour

   When it comes to arbours there are many possibilities nowadays, from hexagons to circles and why not a tree? The foliage will offer a shaded area for your guests and will keep the temperature down on a hot summer day.

6. Plan for a 100% chance of rain kind of day

   Better be safe than sorry! Planning for a 100% chance of rain will allow you to be prepared for the day and hopefully have great weather for it. If you are planning to have your wedding day on a farm, then bell tents and circus-style tents are a great option to keep in mind for your outdoor reception, and they can also be used for the ceremony.

I hope that with these ideas you are now on your way to organising your outdoor wedding ceremony. Another few things to keep in mind will be the seating arrangements: will you be able to rent chairs for your guests, or will you use a different type of arrangement like hay bales? Keep in mind if you have any guests with a disability to have an easy access for them.