Do you want to have an energetic outdoor wedding or simply a chill and relaxing one? Imagine giving each other vows under the blue sky with cool breezes. What a truly romantic experience! However, as a matter of fact, an ideal outdoor wedding party requires careful preparation, because there will be many challenges.
Make sure that you won’t skip any detail during the preparation. In doing so, you can totally minimize the possibility of unexpected incidents.

I . Are outdoor weddings costly?

The answer in general would be yes. Especially if you are looking for a big outdoor wedding, the cost per guest goes higher with the increasing number of guests. Why? Everything is from zero to hero. Not only the price of venues but also the food and beverage could influence the total cost. Not to mention the wedding decoration is a must to add on the price list when nothing is “pre-decorated”. However, when bitterness is finished, sweetness begins. Your effort will be paid off with a unique and unforgettable wedding! Isn’t that exciting? 
If cost is your biggest concern, you might want to check out some tips from Getweady to save your wedding budget.

Data: In the United State, lower-end outdoor weddings can cost $500-$4,000; mid-range $4,000-$10,000; and higher-end $10,000-$50,000. In Vietnam, the average cost of an outdoor wedding venue is around 1.000.000 - 2.500.000vnd per guest, while the average cost of an indoor wedding venue is 300.000 - 800.000vnd. The cost of an outdoor wedding is 2-3 times higher than an indoor wedding.

II. Checklist to keep in mind when organizing an outdoor wedding party

Our checklist was designed specifically for couples who want to have an outdoor wedding. Let’s start sketching your perfect outdoor wedding.

1. Location

There are many things you must consider when choosing a venue for your outdoor wedding: number of guests, reservation fee, guest parking area, and so on. The bride and groom should have their private room for clothes changing, makeup, and keeping wedding gifts.
If you plan for an outdoor wedding, venues like school campuses or vacant grounds can help you save your budget.Holding a micro-wedding party right on the rooftop where you live is not a bad idea as well.

Looking for a special spot to hold your wedding: 6 Unique spots for weddings in Vietnam
An ideal outdoor wedding on the beach: 10 Astonishing Wedding Venues to Accomplish Your Beach Wedding Theme.

2. Weather problem:

Since the wedding takes place outdoors, it depends dominantly on the weather. A great tip is that you should hold the event in the dry season. However, recently the weather has been unpredictable, so even if you check the forecast carefully, you should still have a backup plan. The best solution is to prepare large umbrellas for guests or set up a canopy. You can also hold a "half-and-half" wedding which has outdoor entertainment and indoor dining. This flexibility is going to solve the weather problem thoroughly.

Tips: If you have to change the venue at the last minute because of the weather, how should you inform the guests?

That's the reason I told you to have a plan B from the beginning. On the invitation, note in advance that if the weather is nice, the wedding will be at location A. In case it’s raining, they should move to location B. Make sure these two locations are not too far apart to avoid traveling problems for your guests. If A and B are right next to each other, place a signboard in the most noticeable position so everyone can see it.

3. Menu

There are many dining options for an outdoor wedding. You can hire a restaurant service for a traditional menu setup; or if you want your guests to have a more memorable experience, consider throwing a buffet or a BBQ party. All you need to do is estimate the portions for your guests.

With a BBQ party, you need to prepare many different grills. Moreover, you should guarantee the safety of small children, be aware that they might get close to the grills. For the buffet, you need to find an affordable cooking service. Remember to make your menu varied and match the appetite of the majority of guests.

4. Decoration

When choosing an outdoor location, you have probably considered the landscape of that area, so consider decorative elements that also match the landscape.

The outdoor decoration often takes the majority of your wedding budget. To prevent overspending, reuse home furniture such as lamps, vases, and even tables could be a nice idea. This not only makes the wedding space more creative but also brings a touch of familiarity to the guests. Your wedding will turn out to be more impressive than whatever the guests could imagine. Keep in mind to avoid using decorations made of absorbent materials such as cloth or cotton wool.

You may want to check it out: Wedding colors trend in 2022.

5. Sound and light

If your wedding takes place in the evening, make sure that electricity and all lights are in good condition. A clear sign that guides guests to the restroom or leads guests safely to the parking area is very important.

An indispensable element and also the soul of every party is music. If you're planning to hire an acoustic band or a DJ for your wedding, ask them to come in early, make a rehearsal to ensure everything is ready before the ceremony.

6. Outdoor activities

What do you prefer between exciting celebrations and chilling activities? To make your wedding full of energy, consider arranging small games like hoop throwing or Jenga. Or, organizing group games which always attract the attention of all ages. For those of you who love relaxing activities, an outdoor campfire is always a good idea. Everyone could gather together to dance or chat in the soft music and cool breezes. 
Your purpose of choosing an outdoor wedding is to make people have fun and be more connected, so just go for it, whatever makes you happy and so as your guests, dancing floor, karaoke, tugging, truth or dare... 

7. An adding corner

What will go along with games? Alcohol, of course. An all-you-can-drink self-serving small bar or a big chest of wines and beers could definitely bring the wow effect. This is also an important part of the decoration, everyone loves a beautiful and instagrammable wedding bar so don’t disappoint your guests with a sparse corner of icy beer boxes. 

8. Guests

The number of guests attending an outdoor wedding is often limited. The reason is not only to control the budget but also to make sure all guests are taken care of in the most thoughtful way. For example, think about if the location is going to be kids and elder-friendly. Be specific when you plan the wedding to have a perfect experience for everyone. 

To ensure the health of the seniors, adjust the music volume accordingly and serve healthy dishes separately. In addition, you could arrange a quieter space for them to gather and chat. On the contrary, children are more active. The best plan is to create a playground area specifically for those little guests. Make sure this area is close to the main hall of the party so the parents could keep an eye on their children and at the same time enjoy the moment.

A final reminder, don’t hesitate to ask guests for feedback a few months before the time of the party so that the wedding could be better arranged. And since your guests will spend a lot of time outdoors, to ensure they have a complete experience, you should include a small note on the wedding invitation reminding guests to attend with the most suitable clothes. And for brides who enjoy dancing with no burden, here is the new trend that you might want to have a look: Jumpsuit Wedding Dress Inspiration For All Cool Brides.

III. Conclusion

Although the preparation process of an outdoor wedding is quite laborious, the result is worthy. Your wedding party will bring an extremely memorable experience to you and your guests. If you are worried about not being able to handle all of the above issues, don't hesitate to ask for help. You can find wedding planner services, with extensive experience and a wide network of relationships in the wedding industry, maybe they will have great deals to reduce a part of your wedding costs.

Last but not least, enjoy your wedding preparation. If you are not having fun, then you are doing it wrong!