Tents are Beautiful
If you’re planning an outdoor wedding we highly recommend a tent. A tent keeps the feeling of the outdoors, but gives shade from sun and cover in case of rain. At Riverside Farm many of our couples have an outdoor ceremony in our wedding meadow, then walk up the hill for a tented cocktail hour before going indoors in our Stonewell Barn for a reception and dinner.
Pro tip: add a floor or put your tent over a patio for your guests comfort.
Don’t Forget Sunscreen
Mom’s right, wear your sunscreen! Wear it for all the obvious reasons, and here’s one more: If you don’t want sunburned faces appearing in your formal wedding photos wear sunscreen.
Pro tip: apply sunscreen before hair and makeup.
What Are Heel Caps?
If you’re planning an outdoor wedding many of the women there will be wearing heels. Walking in grass can be tricky so we suggest heel caps. They slip on to protect high heels and make walking easier.
Pro tip: give heel caps to the bridal party as a gift.
Ceremony Beverage
Welcome guests to your outdoor wedding with a special drink. In summer lemonade keeps guests cool, in cooler weather we suggest hot cider.
Pro tip: Serve drinks in mason jars with handles. They’re cute and easy to hold.
Throw Flower Petals
Instead of rice, give guests flower petals to throw over the newly married bride and groom. They’re beautiful, smell great, are biodegradable and don’t harm birds the way rice can.
Pro tip: Create little bags of dried Lavender flowers and set it out for tossing, it’s about the same size as rice.
Lawn Games
Lawn games are great icebreakers at your rehearsal dinner or on the morning of your wedding. Putting out games like bocce, horseshoes, croquet and cornhole give guests a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get to know one another before your wedding.
Pro tip: Hand out “BRIDE” and “GROOM” T-shirts, pick teams and set up a tournament.
Some Practical Advice
That beautiful meadow in the middle of nowhere might not be your best bet. Be sure the venue you choose is ready for the weather. Is there an indoor option on site in case the weather turns? What about access to resources like restrooms, electrical outlets and kitchen equipment? Does the venue have a way to get relatives to the ceremony who might have a harder time getting around, we use golf carts.
Pro tip: See if your venue has white umbrellas on hand for shelter from sun or rain.
Interested in a wedding at Riverside or Amee Farm in Vermont? Contact us.