Having a garden wedding is a dream for many brides but it can also be a cause for concern being out among the elements. The weather factor is what turns most people off a garden ceremony or, in fact, any outdoor feature in a wedding. Despite this you can still go ahead with a garden ceremony if you plan properly and make allowances for the weather should the worst happen.
Choosing a Garden Venue
Personally, I absolutely love gardens and if I had the chance I would spend many days touring them and taking in the beauty. This is the best way that you can find your perfect garden location. Just have a good look around your area, or outside your area if you are ok with a bit of distance.
You will also find a lot of function centres will have lovely gardens attached so you might be able to kill two birds with one stone. When you look at the gardens also think about the time of year that you will be having the wedding as the plants will of course vary from season to season.
Choosing the Right Time of Year for Your Wedding
One word: SPRING. This is the most popular time of year for weddings for two reasons:
- The weather can be amazing.
- All the flowers and other plant life will begin to come out.
So if you are looking at a garden wedding for the scenic value then you can’t really go past Spring. However there are the other seasons to consider depending on what you want:
- Winter – I know it might be cold but if you have mild winters where you are the bare trees can look beautiful.
- Summer – although it could get baking hot you will still have plants thriving in the warm weather.
- Autumn (Fall for the Americans visiting the site) – If you find a great garden with deciduous trees (i.e trees that lose their leaves) then this can add a touch of elegance to your wedding. Plus the weather is usually quite mild.
Finding Equipment and Wedding Decorations
The good news is that you won’t have to have as many flowers if you are in a blooming garden. However, you will have to find things like an entrance way (such as a red carpet) a gazebo (which hopefully you have in the garden) and most importantly chairs for your guests. You want your wedding to be a relaxing affair if it is in a garden so make sure your guests (and you!) are comfortable.
If you do find a function centre that has a lovely garden then they will usually have all the right equipment. If you are having it at your home or a friends or family member’s home then there are plenty of party hire places around.
Having a Backup Location
I can’t stress this enough and if you have a wedding planner then they are probably screaming it at you too: you have to have a backup venue in case of bad weather. Check with the church that your priest (if you are having one) is from as they may have a hall or the church free that day. Otherwise you can check with your reception venue and they may have options for you.
Lastly and most importantly, good luck with planning your garden wedding and remember to stop and smell the roses!
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