Planning an Outdoor Wedding - 
The weather has been really bad here in the Midwest so far this summer, lots of rain, winds and even tornadoes. The heat and humidity are also taking their toll. As a wedding planner, the weather is one of my greatest concerns when planning an outdoor wedding, BUT it also affects indoor weddings!
Last week I had a friend of mine call and talk to me about what happened at her nieces “outdoor” wedding the week before (notice this was after the fact). I had talked to her many months ago about her nieces wedding and asked who her planner was – there was none. Hearing that, I began to worry for her.
Her niece and her mother decided they could plan and coordinate it all. That was the first big mistake. While many brides begin planning their weddings, usually with Mom’s help, very few look at the total concept. They get wrapped up in the flowers, dresses, colors, etc. Aunts, friends, girlfriends are put in charge of doing the day of coordinating – just because they attended or took part in a wedding. They knew nothing about the proper formation of the wedding party or other ceremony related items. This turned out to be another issue – sending people down the aisle wrong, not to the right music, and more. My friend said it was a little messy.
Dreaming of an outdoor wedding in the spring or summer and often fall in Missouri is a beautiful thought. But it requires much more planning than one realizes. This is where a wedding planner could have guided the bride. Planners are not planning their wedding for you; they are assisting in the planning of your wedding for you! The planner would have given advice on what all needs to happen with an outdoor wedding – to avoid any problems or disappointments.
In listening to my friend, I learned that apparently no plans were made for an alternative location in case of inclement weather – which we had that weekend. The venue where her wedding was held did not offer an indoor location, and no mention of tents was made. However that weekend, no tent vendor would have set up due to high winds. I learned this from years of experience with community events.
While the mother and daughter had the basics planned for the wedding, they failed to plan the logistics. I once again stress the importance of a wedding planner involved somewhere in the picture. Often brides are led to believe that the venue “coordinator” will assist in all these issues, but that is not always the case. Most venue coordinators are not trained or certified in the wedding planning field. They are only concerned with their venue. Everything else is not their concern.
Another one of the logistical problems that came up while everyone was running for their cars, was the parking issue at the venue. It apparently was a nightmare. Many had to park a distance from the ceremony location. There was not enough parking for the number of guests that came to witness this event.
Last week I had a friend of mine call and talk to me about what happened at her nieces “outdoor” wedding the week before (notice this was after the fact). I had talked to her many months ago about her nieces wedding and asked who her planner was – there was none. Hearing that, I began to worry for her.
Her niece and her mother decided they could plan and coordinate it all. That was the first big mistake. While many brides begin planning their weddings, usually with Mom’s help, very few look at the total concept. They get wrapped up in the flowers, dresses, colors, etc. Aunts, friends, girlfriends are put in charge of doing the day of coordinating – just because they attended or took part in a wedding. They knew nothing about the proper formation of the wedding party or other ceremony related items. This turned out to be another issue – sending people down the aisle wrong, not to the right music, and more. My friend said it was a little messy.
Dreaming of an outdoor wedding in the spring or summer and often fall in Missouri is a beautiful thought. But it requires much more planning than one realizes. This is where a wedding planner could have guided the bride. Planners are not planning their wedding for you; they are assisting in the planning of your wedding for you! The planner would have given advice on what all needs to happen with an outdoor wedding – to avoid any problems or disappointments.
In listening to my friend, I learned that apparently no plans were made for an alternative location in case of inclement weather – which we had that weekend. The venue where her wedding was held did not offer an indoor location, and no mention of tents was made. However that weekend, no tent vendor would have set up due to high winds. I learned this from years of experience with community events.
While the mother and daughter had the basics planned for the wedding, they failed to plan the logistics. I once again stress the importance of a wedding planner involved somewhere in the picture. Often brides are led to believe that the venue “coordinator” will assist in all these issues, but that is not always the case. Most venue coordinators are not trained or certified in the wedding planning field. They are only concerned with their venue. Everything else is not their concern.
Another one of the logistical problems that came up while everyone was running for their cars, was the parking issue at the venue. It apparently was a nightmare. Many had to park a distance from the ceremony location. There was not enough parking for the number of guests that came to witness this event.
I could go on, but I think you probably get the idea. While it is a lot of fun picking out the colors, dresses, food, etc., there are other issues that need to be considered. A planner, whether for the entire planning process, or a day of coordinator, it is well worth it. They can handle the above issues while saving you money, and keeping the heartbreaking problems from raising their ugly heads!
This is the event that every girl dreams of; make sure all the items are covered!
Happy planning!!!!! And consult a planner – you will not regret it.
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