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 Outdoor Ceremonies - Things to Consider...

What a lovely idea, let's have a garden wedding, beach wedding, rainforest wedding or park wedding.  What do you need to consider?

• The weather at that time of the year because every day is not a nice sunny day with a cooling breeze.
• The location of choice is also important. If you choose a Public Park you will need to check with the local Council Authority if you have to pay a booking fee. Some areas are very popular, so you will need to provide a copy of the booking receipt to your celebrant so that when they arrive for your ceremony and if someone else is in the location, the celebrant has proof that you have the site booked and can ask them to move on.
• It is always a good idea to visit the location at the time of day and season that you intend for your marriage to be held. Consider a rehearsal from the arrival in your car/boat/carriage, the walk to the location and the ceremony itself. Positioning can be worked out for the bridal party, the celebrant, the signing table and the guests.
• Important factors to consider should include open water access such as ponds, rivers, waterfalls, if small children are attending the ceremony. Is the terrain difficult to negotiate for those older friends or relatives? Does the area have natural seating or will you need to provide seating. Shelter from the sun, wind, rain would also need to be considered.
• Chilled bottles of water for your guests if you choose a midday outdoor event is a good idea in the height of summer. Sun-block, insect repellent and a numbing insect bite gel should also be considered. I suggest this from experience as recently I received two green ant bites on my thigh while waiting for the bride to arrive in a park setting. It was extremely painful and nothing much I could do about it as the processional had begun. Fortunately or unfortunately the Groomsman didn't receive his bite until after the ceremony.
• With a beach wedding, you can plan your ceremony according to the tides by accessing the government website that has this information. Once again a beach wedding can be quiet exposed so the factors previously mentioned need to be considered. In addition, the sand has to be contended with, is it better to wear shoes (yes, if it is the middle of a sunny day) or not. A good breeze can get up at the seaside, so you're beautiful 10 foot bridal veil may take flight, cover your face, and the celebrant may have difficulty with the paper work that you need to sign. Above all, make sure the bridal attire is practical for a beach side setting and the time of day you have chosen.
• Garden or backyard weddings can be great fun. Fraught with a lot of stress for the host/hostess, but if you are after a less formal affair and truly want to enjoy the company of your friends and relatives it is a great alternative to paying for a venue or being on public display at popular public arenas. Don't think the backyard is pretty enough? A quick make over with bark and pot plants will disguise the worst faults of the outdoor home garden, a couple of budget price gazebos for shade, an arch from the local hardware, flowers, ribbons and greenery can make a wonderful setting. Many of these items can also be hired for the day.
• If choosing to have a garden or backyard wedding and you are not inviting your neighbours, you may consider advising them of your event and ask that for the period of the ceremony they do not mow/whipper snip/chain saw/hammer or many of the other noisy occupations that neighbours undertake.
• If a dog or dogs reside at this venues address, please arrange for the animals to be cordoned off or for them to go to the kennels for the day. Not all animals cope with large numbers of people in their domain, particularly if they have not been socialized with strangers. A frightened animal will bite as a protective measure, not because they are a vicious animal.
• With a garden or backyard wedding it is very important that everything is ready at least 1.5 to 2 hours prior to the advised ceremony time.  Early guests will always arrive, especially if they have travelled some distance. Your celebrant will also arrive up to an hour early to set up any PA system, does a sound check and prepare the signing table. I have seen a host and hostess still running around in shorts and t-shirts attending to last minute items while the guests were arriving.
• You may also need to consider a child minder for little children during the ceremony. An area can be set up with toys, books and activities for the little ones who would find the ceremony tedious.

Regardless of where you choose to marry, your day will be all the more special if you engage your celebrant's experience into the venue planning of an outdoor location.  A final piece of advice, always have Plan B worked out in case the weather turns really bad.  Often the reception venue will allow the wedding to be conducted at their premises if you negotiate the possibility when making your booking. 

Congratulations and enjoy your special day.

Edith Rice CMC

Practising in the South East, based in the Wynnum/Manly/Lota  area in Brisbane, I offer Professional Celebrant Services for your Wedding, Renewal of Vows, Couple Commitment and naming ceremonies for infants, children, adults and pets.

Your wedding day will always be special to you both.  By using my services as a Civil Marriage Celebrant you can choose the location and time that has special meaning to you.

Whether you choose a Theme wedding or a Garden, Park, Beach or a Reception Venue, I will work with you to assist in your choice of ceremony to suit your needs.

I offer you an obligation free meeting to see if we suit.  Celebrants are as individual as yourself, so it is important that  you choose a celebrant that you are comfortable with and are confident that they will perform the ceremony you want.

My delivered service to you to would meet all your personalised requirements as discussed with me.