by guest blogger Kacey Bradley of The Drifter Collective
Whether you're returning to your childhood home to walk down the aisle or opening your home for a pair of lovebirds, a backyard wedding is a unique occasion that comes with responsibilities. Backyard weddings are a personal and fun way to exchange vows, but you need to consider a few extra things to host the outdoor celebration. Here are six things to remember when planning a backyard wedding.
For couples who aren't into the snowy, cold weather winter brings or the searing temperatures of summer, spring can turn into a beautiful time to get married. The flowers bloom, and the weather is, hopefully, a perfect 60-70 degrees.
If you decide on a spring wedding, consider these 10 factors for smooth planning and an absolutely gorgeous wedding day.
1. A Venue With a Plan B
Spring weather is unpredictable. One day could be sunny with a light breeze, while the next you're dealing with a torrential downpour. If you choose an outdoor venue, make sure it has an indoor option, whether it's a barn or a tent. If your venue doesn't have an option on-hand, consider renting tents big enough for your entire wedding—just in case you need to move the ceremony and reception indoors.
2. Decorating With Lots of Flowers
Decorating for a spring wedding is easy with so many flowers and greens hitting their peaks. Flowers such as peonies, calla lilies, ranunculus and tulips are all in-season and more affordable during the spring. You can even purchase hanging installations as an easy and affordable way to decorate your reception.
3. Avoiding Spring Holidays
Most people think of avoiding weddings on winter holidays, such as Christmas, or the Fourth of July. However, there are some spring holidays you need to keep in mind when planning your wedding date. Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, Easter, Passover and Ramadan all occur throughout March-May and could prevent some of your guests from attending.
4. Dressing Your Bridesmaids for the Weather
Spring style can feel notoriously difficult because of the shifting weather. To make up for this conundrum, choose a dress that pairs well with a shawl or bridal cape in case there's any inclement weather. For example, one of these chiffon gowns is lightweight enough for a warmer day but can easily transition to a cooler night with a beautiful shawl over it.
5. Lighter Suit Jackets for Guys
You can't leave the guys hanging. For the groomsmen, opt for a lighter suit jacket or no jacket at all in case of a warm spring day. If your wedding is more casual, consider khaki pants or rolled sleeves to complete the relaxed vibe and keep all the groomsmen comfortable. Make sure both your groomsmen and bridesmaids have umbrellas on-hand for any passing rain showers.
6. Using a Spring Color Palette
Since spring is a period of transition between summer and winter, you can get away with any color scheme that fits your personality. Mint, pink, green, pastels or a shimmery gold all work well. Incorporate these colors into your decor for everything from your table centerpieces to your bridesmaids' dresses.
7. Crafting an In-Season Menu
Lucky for you, spring is a great time to score fresh fruits and vegetables at a lower price. Early in the spring, you'll find carrots, peas and other leafy green vegetables. Toward the later months, such as May, you can use watermelon and tomatoes in a fresh salad. Talk to your caterer ahead of time about what fruits and vegetables will be in season during your wedding.
8. Planning in Advance
Spring is a popular time to get married, so you'll need to plan your date and venue early to get above the competition. You also need to realize that your wedding won't be the only one happening in the spring. Send out save-the-dates early so your friends don't have too many conflicting wedding dates and can attend.
9. Fading Light
Talk to your photographer ahead of time about the optimal light and when to find it. During the spring, you'll have longer days and later sunsets. You and your photographer can plan a time to leave the reception and sneak outside for some good sunset photos. Make sure you don't plan any formal toasts or dances during the golden hour.
10. Weather, Weather, Weather
No one can predict spring weather, but you can plan for it. Arm everyone with umbrellas in advance and even swing for some cute monogrammed rain boots for your bridesmaids in case the ground is muddy. If it's a comfortable day, but a cooler night, see what you can do about heat in your venue. Or, add some outdoor fire pits with blankets around the benches.
Plan the Perfect Spring Wedding Day
No matter what happens on your spring wedding day, you'll feel less anxious when you prepare for the worst. Follow the 10 tips above to help create the perfect day that you'll remember for the rest of your life.
Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, SUCCESS, Ruffled, and more!
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