Outdoor ceremony - wedding planning in Melbourne

Your guide to planning your outdoor wedding ceremony.

If you are a couple that enjoy the outdoors and find it peaceful when you are surrounded by nature then an outdoor ceremony can be your way of sticking to what you love and making your wedding day a true reflection of your relationship and who you really are. We hope that this comprehensive guide will be useful on your planning. So let’s get started. 

What options do I have for an outdoor wedding ceremony in Australia? 

If you are considering having an outdoor ceremony then your options could be: 

- A fun landmark in your city (like the local Zoo, or an amusement park like Luna park. 

-A national park: for the adventurous couples that love to be in touch with nature. This would be the perfect setting for a small ceremony. You can consider hiking to a lookout and get hitched at the top of a rad mountain or with the sound of a waterfall in the background.

- The beach. Coastal weddings are a great option if you want to go for a more relaxed vibe and if you enjoy activities like surfing or Stand up paddle 

- A winery. This is a more formal option, most wineries can offer a specific location for your ceremony and you can have the entire day at this one venue which can be more relaxing.

Now that you have an idea of the options you have when considering an outdoor wedding ceremony, it’s time to start thinking about the logistics. 

Outdoor wedding venues Mornington peninsula Victoria | Mornington wedding photographer

5 things to consider when choosing your outdoor wedding ceremony site in Australia. 

The logistics of organising your ceremony will be heavily influenced by how big your ceremony is. Some couples choose to elope and do a post wedding party with loved ones on a different day than their ceremony, so don’t think that you have to go down the road that everyone else has followed and make sure that you plan a day that is really YOU. While you are considering your options, here are 5 things you should consider while planning your ceremony: 

1.- How accessible is my chosen location? 

2.- Do we care if it rains? 

3.- Is my celebrant willing to officiate on this location? 

4.- Will I have enough light to make my way back? (In case you are planning a wedding at sunset) 

5.- Do I need a permit to be able to have a ceremony at this location?

Now that we have given you a heads up and a few things to keep in mind while planning your day then I can point you to the most comfortable times of the year to get hitched.

Every couple’s stories are different and circumstances also change, so this will influence your chosen wedding month. If you are at the beginning stages of your planning and you are still not sure what month of the year would be best, then here are a few suggestions from our own experience. 

What is the best month of the year for an outdoor wedding ceremony in Australia. 

Spring and Autumn are by far the best times of the year to get married in Mornington. Most days by that time of the year are warm enough to be comfortable but not hot or too cold. 

The light during those times of the year is also not as strong as the summer month, and therefore more faltering. 

Pro Tip: Visit your wedding venue or outdoor location for your ceremony on a time of the year that is similar (hopefully around the same month) of your wedding day and around the time you want your ceremony to take place. This will allow you to keep in mind the type of light you could have on the day.

What is the best time of the day for an outdoor wedding ceremony in Australia?

As a photographer the most important thing for us is the light and the type of light we have to work with on your wedding day. You see … not all light is created equal. 

Sunrise Wedding day: more common in the Northern states (Queensland), it could be a hard ask for extended family and some guests but if you are eloping then a sunrise wedding could be a great option. By having your ceremony early, you ensure you have incredible light to work with as well as you have the entire day to celebrate and share with your family and friends. 

Avoid Midday outdoor ceremonies without any shade can cause harsh dramatic shadows that will sometimes accentuate texture in skin like wrinkles. Another difficulty of the harsh sun of a midday ceremony is the squinting, and you will also have more people wearing sun glasses. Another challenge of having your outdoor ceremony at midday is the green tint that your wedding dress could have as the light bounces from the grass / Tree foliage onto your white dress. Another thing to keep in mind if you are still considering an outdoor ceremony at midday on a warmer month is that this is the warmest part of the day and when the sun is the harshest, if you want to keep your guests comfortable then consider a different time of the day. 

A sunset outdoor ceremony can also be an incredible time of the day. For this option if at all possible try to place your harbour so that the sun is hitting the back of your celebrant. This would allow me to photograph you with incredible sunbursts that would be a great addition to your images. If you choose a sunset ceremony keep in mind that it would be too late in the day to have your creative couples portraits so I would suggest that if you are aiming for this option then it would be great if you could consider having a first look earlier in the afternoon, allowing you to do the creative portrait then and also the formal family portraits. 

PRO TIP: If you are having a sunset outdoor ceremony then keep in mind you might need some generators for light to guide your guests once the ceremony is over. 

17 Wedding venues in Mornington for a relaxed wedding

The Mornington peninsula provides a great variety of options when you are planning your wedding day: quiet beaches, wineries, and rustic barns all while been less than one hour away from Melbourne CBD. Hopefully this roundup will help you to decide on the ideal backdrop for your day! Have you booked your photographer yet?

7 tips to prepare for your outdoor wedding ceremony

Tip 1: Mention to your hair and makeup artist that you will be having an outdoor ceremony, she will be able to suggest wind and humidity proof options for your hair and makeup 

Tip 2: Avoid shoes that have heels as they will get buried in the sand/lawn and you will not be able to walk properly.

Tip3: Consider if rain is an issue for you and if it is then consider a backup plan 

Tip4: Consider providing guests with a map and clear instructions to get to the ceremony location 

Tip5: Have gifts for guests to keep them comfortable, things that will cool them down in warmer months and that will warm them up in cooler months.

Tip 6: Consider a wide isle (wider than 3 meters, as this will give you more space to walk down and it will look better on photos. 

Tip7: Consider avoiding table cloths for the table you will use to sign the registry, if it’s a windy day it will be hard to keep in place. 

Tip8: Have some insect repellent and sunscreen available for guests as well as parasols or shade tent for the elderly guests. 

Now that you have a better idea of what your outdoor wedding ceremony will look like, it’s time to prepare the order of the ceremony and your vows. We have prepared a guide to assist you with your vows here, and your celebrant will be able to help you in selecting a ceremony that reflects both of you. We hope that you have found this guide useful, and we have also prepared a downloadable checklist for you to start ticking everything off your to do list and get closer to the honeymoon planning! Don’t forget to hit us up if you are still looking for a wedding photographer, or drop us a line in the comments if you have found all this information useful. Happy planning! 

Fran Jorgensen is a Mornington based Wedding photographer available for wedding and elopements in Mornington, Rosebud and around Australia. Wedding photography and Bridal portraits are available in Ballarat, Bendigo, Mornington, Geelong, Torquay, Flinders and Yarra Valley.

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