Here are 10 tips to set you off on the right path to planning a stress free outdoor wedding day!

1. Consider a photo itinerary

Outdoor weddings are perfect for dreamy wedding photos but consider the advice of this wedding photographer by creating a timeline of your day with your wedding photos in mind. As an example, if you love the idea of sunset couples portraits, then be sure to check the sunset times for your wedding date and then schedule your couples portrait session to begin about an hour before the sun goes down. This will give us enough time to get the photos you want, plus a whole lot more before the sun disappears!

2. Create a wedding website

Publish a wedding website with information about the local area including directions on how to get  there (nearby airports, car rentals, and hotel information), fun things to do, and interesting facts about the destination or your ties to it.

3. Make a mini ”fun things to do and see list” for your out of town guests

Since many of your guests might use this time off from work to attend your wedding as a mini vacay, why not provide suggestions for various activities of fun things to do for all ages and providing them with maps and other information. Hiking trails, golfing, rafting, fly fishing with a guide and ATVs in the backcountry, to name a few for warmer weather activities. For winter, consider horse-drawn sleigh rides to a mountain dinner venue, ski or snowboarding lessons and snowmobile tours.

4. Dress for the elements

When planning to get married outside, consider what the ground will do to your train. Make sure that you or your bridesmaids know how to bustle your dress. If you are holding your ceremony on grass, consider a shoe with a wedge heel (or some sort of boot). If your’e getting married in the fall or winter, always have a wrap or warm coat nearby that compliments your dress. After all, it gets chilly when the sun goes down!

5. Get a Wedding Planner use a Venue Coordonator

It’s quite possible that you won’t be able to make it out to your destination enough times to ensure that all of your vendors and logistics are properly in place. Also, if anything goes amiss, it can be difficult to take care of these problems from afar. Bottom line, nn experienced local planner is an invaluable resource that is well worth the investment. They will have backup plans in place, and will be a great way to decrease your overall stress.

6. Location, location, location

Mountain weddings are like no other, from resort hotel venues to elegant chapels and mountain top wedding decks. You can go 100% hardcore and get married on a windswept rocky cliff overlooking a green valley or at a lovely 100 year old lodge with a roaring fireplace and a five star luxury rating. The venue choice should express who you are and your theme for your wedding day.

Ask yourself...

What experience do I want to give to my guests? What photos are most important to me at my chosen location, backdrop of an endless view? A beautiful lake? A romantic meadow surrounded by aspen trees and evergreens?

7. Help your guests get from point A to point Z

Yay! You’re getting married on a mountain. Now, how do you get all your friends and family up there to join you? Arrange for wedding transportation from the hotel to the mountain for your guests. That way they do not have to worry about driving unfamiliar mountain roads and drinking and driving. 

8. Make sure that your guests are comfortable in any weather

If the weather forecast calls for hot any sunny conditions,,make sure you have bottled water & sunscreen available for your guests and shaded area for the reception. You don’t want your guests (or wedding party) turning beet red, so help combat sunburns with having sunscreen available for everyone. Should the forecast call for cold or windy conditions, provide blankets, hot chocolate, portable heaters and mittens for your guests. Don’t forget to use heavy cotton table cloths and consider anchoring your tables and providing a warming tent if your reception will be held outside.

9. Respect your budget by researching possible dream venue locations by the seasonal rates 

Many mountain venues are in resort towns, so you may find yourself paying resort prices. For example, a ski resort town during the winter peak skiing season can cost you twice as much as off-season dates. Summer accommodations are less expensive than the winter months and will allow for your guests to explore and enjoy the great outdoors.

10. Book your vendors soon

Outdoor and mountain weddings are increasing in popularity, there is a tight window for couples reserving wedding dates during the peak times of late Spring and Autumn here in N.C. By the way, booking doesn’t just include your venue and your photographer; be sure to think about hotel blocks, caterers and DJ’s who might fill up. In mountain towns, there is a limited inventory of services so reserve at least one year in advance!

Outdoor farm wedding photography Roxboro NC-3