Comprehensive Outdoor Wedding Checklist
Your wedding day is one of the most magical days of your life, but it can also be one of the most stressful ones. Planning a wedding—particularly an outdoor one—can be overwhelming. You’ve got a lot of details to remember and you definitely don’t want to leave anything out, potentially spoiling part of your day. We’ve put together a comprehensive outdoor wedding checklist to keep you on track and help you check off the essentials.
Venue and Catering
One of the first big decisions you’ll make when planning your outdoor wedding is choosing the perfect location. With a tent, you can set up camp just about anywhere. Choose your favorite park, winery, or even your own backyard to act as the backdrop to your special day. Tents these days come in just about any style, shape, and size you could want, so you should be able to find something that fits your unique needs. And don’t forget to weather-proof it! In the warm summer months, use portable air conditioning units to keep guests cool. If you’re planning an outdoor winter wedding, bring in heaters that will ensure your guests have a warm, dry space where they can escape from the cold weather.
You should also make sure that your chosen location is suitable for your caterer. If your wedding isn’t near a building that has a kitchen, you’ll want to consider your options. Creating a makeshift kitchen could be an added cost on top of your other expenses. You might opt for a caterer that is able to bring food already prepared make do without a kitchen during the reception. You could also consider providing the caterer with his or her own separate tent if more room is required to prepare the food.
When it comes to the menu, outdoor weddings give you a lot of room for fun, creative choices. Consider having a barbeque in the summer, or light a bonfire and have guests roast s’mores for dessert. Be sure to provide plenty of cool, refreshing drinks for your family and friends when the weather is hot. If there’s a chill in the air, add a delicious hot chocolate or apple cider to the menu.
Decorations and Lighting
When it comes to pulling off the perfect outdoor wedding, it can be difficult to choose decorations if you’re starting with the blank canvas of a plain tent. Research some possible themes and color palettes around which you can base decorations. Renting can be a cost-effective option here, as you won’t have to worry about what to do with the decorations after your wedding is over.
You can also opt to create your own decorations, for a personal touch. Recruit your family and friends to help, and consider reaching out to those who have a business that works for weddings, like a floral design company, to see if they can offer any advice. If you’re wanting a more rustic feel, consider bringing in old, vintage couches and chairs for some unique seating.
Don’t forget to take lighting into account. Your tent won’t come with built-in lights, so it’s important to provide something that will allow you and your guests to see once the sun goes down. Be thoughtful about the placement of your lights, as well. If your guests need to leave the tent to use the restroom, have lights surrounding the path so they know where they are going and won’t wander away.
Restrooms
While you may have nailed down the glamorous aspects of the occasion, such as the venue, the food, and the clothes you’ll wear, you don’t want to miss out on the little things that will keep the event running smoothly. With outdoor weddings comes the all-important task of providing a place for your guests to use the restroom. Take numbers into account. How many restrooms will you really need? You don’t want to rent too many and overspend, but you also don’t want to leave your guests with only a couple of options and cause them to wait in long lines.
While standard porta potties are typically a great option for outdoor events, many couples want a more upscale feel. Consider renting luxury restroom trailers for your wedding. Your guests will feel more at ease in these comfortable units, and the options are endless. Restroom trailers come in various sizes and with several different amenities. With trailers that boast heat, air conditioning, running water, and even enough space for guests to change, you’ll be able to keep your wedding attendees happy throughout the whole day. You may also want to consider offering options for mothers with small children and infants. Having a baby changing station can be extremely invaluable at a busy event like this.
Rent Your Wedding Necessities with On Site
Make your outdoor wedding a day to remember by nailing all those little details! With luxury portable restroom trailers, baby changing stations, and heating or cooling options from On Site, you’ll be sure that your guests are happy and comfortable. Our range of products boasts something for everyone, allowing you to find exactly what you need to make your wedding go smoothly. Contact us today for a quote!