by Ronda Addy

Congratulations, you're getting married. As luck would have it, both you and your fiancé are outdoor enthusiasts and would like to have an outdoor wedding and reception. But your friends and family think you're nuts. After much discussion and consulting of weather patterns, you've decided to go for it. Now what?

Deciding on a location is an excellent place to start. Do you want your wedding to be in a park, a beach, an historic estate, a scenic landmark or in your own backyard? Just in case Mother Nature doesn't cooperate, it would probably be a good idea to have an indoor backup close by, or at the very least, a tent. When scouting wedding locations, check around the area for construction projects, insect problems and major intersections. If you choose a public area, find out if you will need a permit and how much it will cost. Ask if there is a limit on the number of guests you can invite, if alcohol is allowed and who is responsible for trash removal. Parking is another thing to take into consideration. If parking is tight, you may have to hire a valet or have everyone park in a nearby lot and shuttle them over.

Check out the wedding site at the same time of day that you are going to have your wedding. Doing so may help keep the sun out of your guests' eyes. Having an outdoor wedding means that Mother Nature will provide most of the decorations, but not necessarily all of them. If you have chosen a public location, it would be wise to check the area a week before the wedding, as well as the day before, to make sure the grass has been mowed, the ground has been raked and the flowers are in bloom. If there are no attractive flowers onsite, bring in your own potted flowers. Many experts recommend using a trellis or an arch to put the focus of the ceremony on you and your groom.

When sending out your invitations, be sure to let guests know that they will be attending an outdoor wedding so they can dress accordingly. Send out-of-town guests who will not be familiar with the area weather information. Make sure you have these things on hand to help make your guests more comfortable: . Bottled water . Sunscreen . Lap blankets . Large fans and a generator . Portable heaters . Wooden chairs rather than metal, which absorb and cold . Citronella candles If, after the wedding, you haven't gotten enough of the great outdoors, it is possible to have the reception outdoors.

Make sure the caterer has experience with outdoor receptions and can provide food that will hold up under warm conditions. Because alcohol is dehydrating, consider serving tea, lemonade or punch and keep plenty of ice and water on hand. Have a central location for guests to gather for the cake cutting, dancing and tossing of the bouquet. To help make your guests more comfortable, rent tables, chairs, an electric generator, a portable dance floor, a dressing trailer and portable toilets. Decorate the area with torches or Chinese lanterns, especially if you're having the reception at dusk. Having an outdoor wedding often poses more logistical problems than an indoor one. However, with a little bit of luck and the cooperation of Mother Nature, you will have a majestically memorable wedding.

Source:  MultiAd Builder