One of the best things about a humanist celebrant-led wedding is that your ceremony can take place anywhere, and that includes in the great outdoors!
For that very reason, I’m asked to take a lot of outside weddings and when the weather is playing ball, outdoor ceremonies are magical . . .
If you’ve always dreamed of getting wed in an enchanting woodland, by a beautiful lake, on a windswept beach or you want the simplicity of a relaxed ceremony in your garden under your favourite tree, then that is exactly what you can do – if you opt for a humanist wedding.
When planning an outdoor wedding ceremony there are several important things you’ll need to consider, to ensure you have the most memorable day – for all the right reasons!
My top 5 things to consider when making your decisions . . .
Shelter & Shade
We all know that the weather is unpredictable whatever the season. That’s certainly a given here in the UK!
Whilst we are all willing Mother Nature to be kind and dish out a dry day with wall to wall sunshine and nothing more than a light breeze on your big day, that’s just not always the case. We’ve had some incredibly hot midsummer days, as well as some extremely wet and windy weekends, in recent years. Preparing a plan B really is essential, as most importantly, it takes away the stress.
You’ll need to provide some shelter, in case of rain. Whilst it may be fine to dish out brollies for each of your guests (or ask them to bring their own), in the case of light drizzle, something more substantial like some gazebos or even a marquee in the event of monsoon conditions, may be needed! Keeping your guests as dry and as comfortable as possible is very important to the success of your special celebrations. No one wants to sit in wet clothes for the rest of your wedding day. Your guests will not thank you for forcing them to sit on damp hay bails!
At the opposite end of the spectrum, if your wedding is taking place between May and September here in the UK, you’ll also need to consider shade, just in case it’s a scorcher! The last thing you’ll want is anyone passing out, as a result of heat stroke during your vows. And yes I’ve had that happen – on the hottest day – a few years ago! If any of your guests are pregnant and/or there will be older guests attending, they will be grateful for a few strategically placed parasols.
Bottles of water under the seats never go amiss on hot wedding days – a really sensible idea – to keep guests cool and hydrated – particularly if alcohol is being served!
And giving all your guests the heads up from the outset, as regards your outdoor plans, is key to making sure everyone is well-prepared. Asking people to dress appropriately ensures all will feel comfortable and well-equipped on the day. Wellies for a woodland wedding are perfectly acceptable in my book. High heels on the beach are an absolute no no!
I’ll happily help you think about options and back up plans, making suggestions as needed
Ceremony Seating
First and foremost I highly recommend having all your guests seated throughout the ceremony. This ensures comfort and focus, which equals enjoyment and engagement. That’s what we’re always aiming for, after all!
In my early days of leading ceremonies outdoors, there were a couple where many guests stood rather than being comfortably seated. This was the couples’ preference and as a fairly new celebrant all those years ago, I didn’t question it. Looking back I have to say it really wasn’t ideal. The ceremonies I lead are usually 30 mins (or more) in length and expecting guests to stand for that amount of time really doesn’t feel reasonable.
Likewise if guests arrive at the wedding venue early, it’s a great help to have somewhere they can sit and chat while they are waiting; even if it’s a garden wall to perch on, or just a few stools or garden chairs dotted about.
You’ll need to consider the layout of your ceremony space. Again I can help with this. Different seating arrangements can really dictate the feel, the aesthetics and the comfort of your guests. Think about sight lines and guests being able to hear all that is being said.
An outdoor wedding ceremony gives you the opportunity to consider creative ideas. For example, getting married ‘in the round’ or creating a spiral aisle are options that I’ve experienced. I’m always up for new and interesting ideas that I’m not already familiar with.
You’ll need to consider the type of seating that feels right for the setting. Perhaps a combination of hay bales and informal mismatched chairs might work well, for a woodland or farm wedding? You might consider garden chairs, benches, or giant cushions (particularly fun for children)?
The two of you will be seated at certain points during the ceremony too. So think about what you would like to sit on – be that comfy armchairs, a cosy sofa, a beautifully decorated bench, or carved thrones perhaps?! It’s your day after all, so your seating needs to be comfortable and feel just right!
Chairs can always be moved from the ceremony space to the entertaining area, after the ceremony.
Sound & Acoustics
Outdoor ceremonies can be affected by unexpected or unwanted noise and this is often something couples overlook. Road noise, passing trains and busy air traffic (if your ceremony happens to be taking place near a busy airport or on a flight path) can spoil things a little, making it difficult for guests to hear what is being said.
I can help you to decide how we might position things around the ceremony space in order to minimise disturbances. It’s a great reason to visit in advance – and have a rehearsal at the venue or location you’ve decided upon. I highly recommend this and always offer it free of charge.
Setting & Backdrop
Have you thought about what will be seen behind and around you during your ceremony? This is an important thing for you to consider – both from the point of view of your guests’ view, but also your photographer and/or videographer capturing images.
Is there a particular view ‘window’ that you want your guests to experience and will all get the same view depending on your seating arrangement?
Will you go for an arch or a focal point behind you and if so, how will this be constructed and made to stand up safely (with no risk of being blown over or collapsing!)?
Do you need to cover something up, or distract guests from, in your ceremony area? Draping florals and greenery can be a great way of disguising or hiding anything you’re not happy with.
Thinking about your ceremony space aesthetics can be as simple as considering the angle of the sun at the time of day your wedding will take place (ideally you don’t want sunlight blazing in your faces and squinty eyes in all your photos as a result).
Looking for an amazing outdoor wedding venue or space? Here are just a small selection I’ve conducted weddings at over the years.
Woodland Weddings
Two Woods Estate www.twowoodsestate.com
A glorious 42 acre site where you’ll find a magical redwood forest with a beautiful ceremony space in the centre, as well as a10 acre meadow with fire pit, and a barn with seating for 100 guests. There’s even a huge wedding loft available to book, for the couple to use on the wedding day and stay overnight night.
Farm/Barn Weddings
Fitzleroi Barn https://www.fitzleroibarn.co.uk
A stunning traditional barn venue, situated in the peaceful Sussex countryside; with an enclosed courtyard for sun-drenched outdoor celebrant-led ceremonies and also two barn options (one small and one much larger) should the weather dictate an indoor plan B
Southend Barns https://southendbarns.co.uk
With it’s stylish, lovingly created, secret garden ceremony space, alongside two breathtaking indoor barn spaces, the outdoor ceremony option here comes with a plan B guarantee, should your day be wet
Countryside Weddings With A View
Bury Manor Barn https://www.burymanorbarn.co.uk/ceremonies/
A unique stone-stepped amphitheater in the grounds of a historic school and a fabulous large barn building, overlook a dramatic vista across the South Downs. This is the most incredible setting for an outdoor ceremony. With other ceremony options being inside in the barn itself, under the canopy on the lovely stone patio or even in the woods, there is so much choice.
South Stoke Barn
https://www.southstokebarn.co.uk
A unique 19th century granary barn. Originally built by the Duke of Norfolk on the Arundel estate, and tucked away in the idyllic hamlet of South Stoke. This venue truly is a hidden gem; well and truly off the beaten track. Peacefully situated within rolling hills and farmland. There is an enclosed field within the grounds of the barn, should you wish to have an outdoor ceremony. Then the barn can be used afterwards for the continuing celebrations.
Long Furlong Barn
An Award Winning venue (Highly Commended Best Countryside Venue in the South East in The Wedding Industry Awards) in a stunning rural setting. There is a fabulous outdoor ceremony space with a beautiful wooden arch – which can be decorated as you wish; a gorgeous gateway view to open farmland and uninterrupted views across the hills of the South Downs. The cart shed is your wet weather ceremony plan B, with the large barn available to set up for your further celebrations.
Garden Weddings
With a humanist wedding, you can choose to hold your ceremony in any private garden. As long as you have sufficient space for your desired number of guests and a plan B up your sleeve for inclement weather, then a garden wedding can be the perfect option for many.
Many country houses for hire, as well as some barn venues have garden wedding options available. These are sometimes not so obviously advertised. If an outdoor wedding ceremony is definitely for you, then it’s worth spending a little time investigating the very often under-used outdoor spaces at venues.Venues don’t always capitalise on their outdoor ceremony spaces, so don’t be afraid to encourage them to consider your thoughts and proposals. You’re likely to find interesting options and even some hidden gems.
Here’s a real corker of a garden venue –
The Walled Garden At Cowdray
https://www.cowdray.co.uk/event-venues/weddings/the-walled-garden-wedding-venue/
A beautiful private garden and a historic and charming venue, just next door to the fascinating Cowdray ruins. A very romantic, quintessentially English setting. Your adventure begins the moment you pass through the old wooden heart gate. Immerse yourselves and your guests in a magical country luxe setting, reminiscent of Frances Hodgson Burnet’s story, ‘The Secret Garden’.
Waterside & Beach weddings
Holding your ceremony on any stretch of beach is possible, as long as there is safe access to the spot you’ve chosen. Having a plan B for rain is difficult, unless you know of a sheltered spot near by. So it’s likely to be long coats with hoods and brollies, if you’re determined to go ahead whatever the weather! Beaches are so often breezy, therefore dressing appropriately for the windswept look is a must!
Duncton Mill Fishery
https://dunctonmillfishery.co.uk
A tranquil lakeside setting and with a beautiful timber entertaining barn on site, should you need it. Immerse yourselves in glorious nature within The Barlavington Private Estate.
Remember that any outdoor wedding ceremonies taking place in England and Wales (with no cover over the ceremony space and therefore no marriage licence), will need to be celebrant-led, rather than registrar presided. So if you’re wanting to go ahead with the outdoor (or even indoor) option, and you want a deeply personalised, uniquely YOU ceremony, do get in touch – I’d love to chat with you about your wedding plans!