Outdoor wedding do’s

There are a few key things to keep in mind when you are looking to plan an outdoor wedding, and none is more important than the simplest fact -- the best outdoor weddings use the space they have and are kept simple!

Use what Mother Nature gave you

Nature doesn't need any fancy embellishments. You are given the natural elements to work with, and they don’t need anything added to them. Rather, look to complement them! It is very easy to do and leaves a lot of space for creativity. Take for example, a garden-type setting. It is the perfect opportunity to blend your creativity with the natural setting. You already have greenery and varying floral elements, so look to complement them. Centerpieces or accents can be flowers that match those of the natural setting.

Similarly, you can look at something like a beach setting. You wouldn't necessarily have your go-to colors or floral arrangements set up with rich, lush greenery. Instead, you would complement it with light, airy hues and simple décor.

Think about your set up

In addition to decor, think about how you are going to set up your outdoor setting. Do you plan on having something like a tent? If so, that is an opportunity to create something that makes a statement. Can you decorate the interior of the tent, such as the poles and the canopy? This can include accent colors, lighting or even flowers. Think about what you have, what would be a nice complement to your space, and then consider where to go next.

Comfort is key

Perhaps the biggest tip I can offer for an outdoor wedding is to understand the space, the conditions and your guests. Guests must be comfortable. So, while it is obvious that the dead of winter will not be an ideal candidate for your wedding day, it is entirely possible that a summer scorcher occurs as you prepare to celebrate your nuptials. In that case, you can add decor items such as gazebos or umbrellas to offer your guests some refuge. But, make sure they fit! While gazebos and umbrellas are fairly universal in where they can go, they will have to serve as complements to the setting as well.

The outdoor wedding has many advantages, none greater than the pure, raw space you get to work with from the start. Beware of overdoing your decor, because your space loses its charm -- the reason you chose it to begin with! Outdoor weddings are all about flow in a pure, organic space. Highlight what makes that space what it is, and forget about making it something it is not.