After the proposal is out of the way, one of the biggest decisions you will have to make in regard to your impending nuptials is this: will we have the wedding ceremony indoors or outdoors? Outdoor weddings are becoming increasingly popular in this day and age, which can be attributed to anything from the ease of customisation to the simple perk that Sydney’s weather is perfect almost all year-round and it seems like a waste not to make the most out of it! So if you’re planning an outdoor wedding, listen up because Nathalie Green of Pillingers Hiring Service is sharing her expert tips!
After working as Pillingers Hiring Service’s wedding expert for a while, I’ve seen all the good and the bad that comes with wedding planning and have compiled a few tips from my observations…
Location, location, location
What location would you like your wedding in? If you have a district in mind but not an exact destination, it’s wise to consult the local council. They will be able to provide locations of parks and gardens in your desired location. Pillingers Hiring Service have long established ties with local councils and government properties and are well versed in the regulations for events and setting up temporary structures – like marquees. Ask the hiring service operating in your area about the relationships they have with these groups in order to make sure they’re aware of any limitations upon your list of chosen venues. Once you’ve narrowed down the list of locations, ensure that you examine them all first hand to visualise how you’ll place everything. CAD drawings come in handy for things like this. Remember, having an event outdoors has that risk of bad weather, so always have a back up plan, just in case. Steeples come in handy for moments such as these.
Stick to a budget
This seems like a no-brainer but you’d be surprised at how many people blow their “budget” out of the water! Attempt an exercise in discipline: form a budget and actually stick to it. That said, even on a tighter budget you shouldn’t have to forego all of the frills and thrills of the big day, but you will need to be careful and be ready to shop around a lot in the early stages for the best deal.
The little questions with big consequences
If you also plan to host your reception outdoors, there are a few things to consider. How many guests will you be catering for? How far in advance will you need to book your venue?
A structure like a wedding marquee is a great alternative to booking a venue, as it allows for great flexibility of location, ranging from your backyard to a park or even a beach location! When it comes to deciding on a marquee, you are not limited by the number of people who will need to fit under it – marquees can be custom-made to any size.
Making a theme
Now that you’ve gotten the basics out of the way, you can start on the fun stuff. You’ve got a venue and a date, now you can plan on a theme or style that suits you and your partner – if you so wish. Some couples like to stay traditional, but there are others that like to stray as far from the norm as they possibly can – both are fine in my books!
Keep a schedule
After months of preparation, you would not want to see all your hard efforts fall to pieces on the big day due to a lack of organisation. It’s always a good idea to arrange a run sheet to keep things in order – at least just for your own sake – to know what to expect and when to expect it.
Finally, my most important bit of advice: relax and enjoy the ride, it is truly meant to be exciting, not a time of anxiety and stress!
Special thanks to Nathalie for sharing with us!
Are you planning an outdoor wedding? If you have questions for Nathalie feel free to leave a comment below or get in touch with Pillingers Hiring Service directly via their Facebook, Twitter and Google + .
MW x