If it is a summer wedding prepare for both good and bad weather.
If it turns out to be a really hot day be prepared to have your ushers give guests bottles of ice-cold water as they are seated and also have sun screen on hand.
Some venues may provide a canopy or marquee. If they don’t, ask them if they provide electric fans. A novel option is to have your order of service printed on something suitable to use as a fan!
Try to organise it so that the sun will be on your guests' backs rather than in their eyes.
If it turns out cold you might want to organise lap blankets to be on hand, or rent portable heaters.
Should the forecast predict rain, the ideal venue should have other options for you: either move the ceremony to a room inside or provide a tent or marquee.
Venues able to provide outside marriage ceremonies, may, by virtue of their secluded locations, suffer from windy conditions. Brides should therefore avoid light fabrics like chiffons and silks for the bridal party dresses and choose the veil and headdresses carefully; a long veil may become quite unmanageable.
It is wise at the outset to explain to the dressmakers and hairstylist that it is to be an outside wedding so that the worse of weather conditions are compensated for.
Make sure everybody can hear. Ask if your venue can provide a sound system with clip microphones for the bride, groom and officiate, or, maybe your musicians can arrange this for you.
Your location will probably offer superb views so you won’t want to overdress the occasion. However, visiting the location the week before will enable you to see that the lawns are mown and the flowers are in bloom and, if it is not as colourful as you want, there is time to supplement with potted plants, arches or trellises.
Choose a venue/caterer experienced in delivering food at its best no matter what the weather conditions. For example, a prawn cocktail must be served chilled and a meat course needs be piping hot by the time it reaches your guests.
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