There's No Need for a Formulaic Wedding!
Weddings happen every day, but no one wants to have a wedding that feels formulaic. Make your outdoor wedding reception stand out and throw a party your friends and family will never forget. Décor, comfort and personal touches are the main pieces to keep in mind when planning your outdoor wedding reception.
Find the Perfect Location
Finding the location for your outdoor wedding reception is the first and most important step you’ll take in the planning process. Pick a place that you love. If you and your fiancé are wine lovers, consider holding your reception at a vineyard. The beach, parks, forests, lakes, boats, estates, backyards and mountains are all fantastic outdoor reception locations. Just make sure to choose a venue that is clean, quiet and offers a bathroom, or at least has enough room for a rented portable restroom.
Outdoor Decorations
The décor can make or break your reception. A great way to beautify your reception is with light. If you’re having a nighttime wedding, consider using the following lighting ideas:
- Place tiki torches around the boundaries of your reception.
- Light your tables with candles. Use real or battery-operated candles and place them in large vases full of water. Invigorate your guest’s senses with scented candles. You can also hang candles from tree branches as part of the centerpiece.
- String white holiday lights around surrounding trees, dinner reception chairs and reception table centerpieces.
- Use white or colored lanterns as decorative centerpieces.
- Spotlights are a great way to light up the bride and groom table, as well as the entire wedding party.
- Old-fashioned outdoor street lamps are not only unique but would lend a vintage feel to your reception.
Create Another World
Make your reception even more memorable by renting outdoor wedding tents and creating a world of your own inside. If you’re having a winter wedding, consider creating a winter wonderland with fake snow, snowflakes, ice sculptures and decorated Christmas trees. If you are having an outdoor themed wedding inside a tent, bring your outdoor wedding decorations inside the tent. A creative wedding theme is 'new beginnings,' where the entire reception venue is decorated with trees that symbolize life. For this theme, situate the tent either around a real large tree or have potted trees delivered.
Special Touches
- Add something extra special to your outdoor reception with the following ideas:
- Hot cocoa and latte station. When the weather is chilly, this is the perfect treat for your guests to warm up and boost their energy for a late night of dancing.
- Specialty cocktail station. Perfect for an outdoor wedding reception during the summer when you want to give your guests fun cocktails to choose from.
- Buckets of fun. Tasteful buckets on each reception table stocked with sun block, sunglasses, and sun hats will ensure your guests are protected from blazing rays in the summer months.
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