Outdoor wedding challenges
As a Wedding Planner, Event designer and Florist in Florida, having created many weddings in other warm climate destinations, I have learned, and I am very well experienced that weather is a big factor in planning your wedding outdoors.
Outdoor, Gardens and Beach weddings are beautiful, romantic and very picturesque, but weather can be very challenging, the sun and heat can be almost unbearable to your décor and florals and most importantly your guests. Your flowers can wilt and that will not be your florist fault, please keep that in mind. Your guest will be under the rays of very hot sun and you would not bear the heat standing at your ceremony for more than 5 minutes. Trust me, this would be quite uncomfortable, and let's be real, you want your guest to talk about your wedding being all the rave on how beautiful everything was, and not negative talk like, “we sat under a blazing sun, melting, waiting and it was scorching HOT”.
Tips on Planning your Outdoor Wedding
So, let’s talk about how we can make your outdoor wedding a pleasant one and one to always remember as being stunning and gorgeous. I will share with you some of the things I always make sure to ask when it is a desired outdoor wedding.
- First thing I ask, “What month in the Summer”?
- The second thing I ask, “What time of day are we looking to start your ceremony”?
- The third thing I ask, “Will your wedding be a destination outdoor wedding or local to Florida”?
You may ask "why is this planner|flower designer asking these questions"? Well, do you know that July and August are the hottest months of the year? If you are planning to stay state front, let me tell you that, Texas and Louisiana rank #1 as the hottest states in the US, and Florida coming in at #3, Oklahoma at #4. Here is something else you should know. The time of day is also key to making sure you and your guests are not melting out there in the hot sun, we recommend having your ceremony start time at 5 pm and if you are wanting a late start, evening ceremonies are always the coolest between 6pm or 7pm. The sun is getting ready to drop, the worst hours are from 3 pm to 4 pm, it is said that the sun is giving off the most heat on those hours, so plan accordingly.
These are important factors while you are planning your BIG DAY.
Determining your destination is also a Key part of the planning process, knowing if you want to stay in the states or go to an amazing tropical destination. Please keep in mind the months of June, July and October, and November, these are known and active months for Hurricanes, so traveling and having a beautiful beach wedding in a stunning Caribbean island can be tarnished due to mother natures unpredictable changes in weather. Always plan to have some type of shaded area available for you and your guest. Make sure that there is a PLAN A,B, C !!!
Gifts | Ideas for your Guest
As a parting gift or welcoming gift to your wedding guests, think about beautiful umbrellas, fans for the ladies and maybe a nice Hat for both your ladies and men guest attending, I do not mean a baseball cap for the gentlemen, but that can be a cool idea. Make sure you keep yourself and your guest hydrated, have some ice-cold water whether in a bottle or dispensers.
Guest
Guest should stay away from wearing dark colors, remind your guest that your wedding ceremony|dinner will be outdoors to wear cotton, or linen, even a nice flowing chiffon material, this too will keep them cool.
Décor
When choosing your flowers please keep this in mind, make sure your flowers are in seasons, and very important while making this selection know that they do not wilt with high heat and can sustain outdoor weather.
Decor should be simple and elegant, your backdrop is the outdoor scenery you have chosen. If it is a beach wedding, then let the ocean be your backdrop, and if you want to enhance the already beauty add a green garland around the edges of the structure, maybe a pipe and drape with sheers, and add a garland that will have tropical strong greenery that does sustains the weather.
If you have chosen a stunning garden, let the gorgeous plantation be your backdrop. Know that the possibilities are endless.
Your tables decor should showcase your wedding location, keeping it cohesive with your venue or destination is always quite special.
If you have chosen a beach wedding, keep it organic and tropical, simple and elegant. If you have chosen a garden or outdoor barn wedding, keep it clean, organic, rustic, chic and shabby, keep it always elegant and fun.
From your Planner|Event Designer
As a wedding planner and floral designer, it is always fun keeping up with all the new trends... If you need of guidance and are looking to find an experienced and well season planner and a creative flower designer, please reach out to us. We would love to assist.
I hope this blog has helped you in your planning process.
Happy Planning,
Annie Muniz
Head Planner\ Florist
MODERN CHIC & Shabby EVENTS BY JOEANNIE
