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If you are considering having your wedding ceremony in a garden, there are numerous issues you should think about, to determine whether you can manage the special accommodations that are needed.

There are a variety of settings in which you could hold an outdoor wedding. Some examples are: city or town parks, state parks, summer camps, historic buildings/historical society grounds, horticultural facilities/arboretums, Country Inns/Bed & Breakfasts, your own yard or that of friends/relatives. With planning, many of these venues can also accommodate your reception.

The advantages of having your wedding in a garden are that you do not have to put very much time or energy into decorating, and there is a certain country charm and informality in a Garden Wedding. The obvious disadvantages are: weather, other "joys of nature" such as bugs, bees and pollinating trees, and logistics such as renting additional equipment (tent, chairs, tables, arbor, etc).

In thinking through the setting you have chosen, you need to find out what the facility has that you can use for your ceremony. Will you need electricity for musical instruments or amplification? If so, how far is the source of power, and how will you get it to your site? How is the terrain underfoot? Will any special arrangements need to be made for elderly or disabled guests to get around safely (wheelchair, etc)? Can seating be easily accommodated in the area where your ceremony will take place (i.e., is the ground level)? What special arrangements will you make in case of inclement weather?

EQUIPMENT AND LOGISTICS

In terms of equipment for your garden ceremony, you may only need a few items such as seating for your family and guests, something to function as an altar (will you be lighting any candles or having flower arrangements at the altar?), and perhaps decorative elements such as an arbor (this can be rented) or plant hangers. You will also want to be sure there are bathroom facilities available to your guests, and may need to consider renting a portable toilet (These can be rented from Sewer and Septic businesses. There are special ones available now specifically for weddings and parties—they are larger, are often white, and have a wash basin inside them). If your ceremony is brief and your reception is elsewhere, you may not need to be concerned about this.

When planning your garden wedding ceremony, there are a few logistical and aesthetic details to pay attention to. These details relate to: siting the ceremony, entrance, and guest seating, flower-related issues, and photography/videography concerns.

SELECTING THE CEREMONY SITE

Look at the site where you are planning on having your wedding ceremony, and consider where guests will be seated (or stand). Bear in mind where the sun will be at the time of day your ceremony will be held. You do not want the wedding party or your guests to be squinting into the sun. You may want to have shelter over the ceremony area, such as a tent or chuppah. Think about where the bridal party will enter and the path you will walk to get to the "altar". Try to make an arrangement that will allow for a "grand entrance". Perhaps coming from around a corner or inside/behind a building so that your guests cannot see each attendant until they begin their walk down the aisle. Make sure that the aisle is wide enough allow for several inches of space on either side of your feet when walking, so that long dresses or veils do not get caught up on plants or garden accessories. Also remember to leave room to accommodate 2 or more people across if the bride and/or groom will be accompanied by their parent(s). In addition to these concerns, make sure that the ceremony spot is well drained (so that in case of rain during or prior to the ceremony, you won't be in standing water).

FLOWERS

Being in a garden will naturally provide you with a setting accented or filled with flowers. However, it is important to know what types of flowers will be blooming at the time of your wedding and when the peak bloom time is for the particular garden you have chosen. Be aware that even if you have selected the date (months in advance) to correspond to the peak blooming time of that garden, you should be prepared to supplement with flowers and plants in case the season is not a typical one (too much or too little rain, or early or late Spring may push the peak off in one direction or the other). You can fill buckets and vases with wildflowers and put them around the ceremony site to add to the lushness of the atmosphere. Potted flowering plants (such as chrysanthemums in Fall) and small potted shrubs will also add greenery and color, and can be bought or rented from gardening centers or rental companies. Resist the temptation to overpick the garden for flowers to put in your bouquets and arrangements. Purchase flowers from a florist, farmstand or floral warehouse for this purpose and leave the garden in its full glory.

Another consideration unique to outdoor weddings is taking care that your flowers are not exposed to too much sun and heat before the event begins. Do not rely too heavily on wildflowers for bouquets and special arrangements, because they are apt to wilt more quickly than "florist flowers". (In particular, fruit tree blossoms -- apple, pear -- are best avoided unless they can be properly accommodated.) If possible, all bouquets should be arranged so that they have water throughout the wedding (water picks on the ends of stems, or arrangements made in "oasis" or in vases of water. Make sure tall vases are weighted at the bottom so they will not tip over in a breeze.) Be cautious of using flowers in your hair, or be sure that the type of flower you select will stay fresh for the duration of the wedding, even in the heat/sun. Wait until the last possible moment to remove those flowers from water and put them into your hair or headpiece. Keep bouquets and altar arrangements out of the sun in a cool place for as long as possible. Assign someone the task of checking that they have water and putting them out shortly before the ceremony commences.

Certain varieties of flowers may be problematic, too. Some flowers are poisonous (such as foxglove) or have thorns. It is best not to include these in bouquets, arrangements or cake decorations. Beware of siting your ceremony under pollinating trees or trees that may drop flowers or seeds down on wedding party or guests (pine pollen can be prolific in summer in some locales; this may stain clothing or chairs). Gardens and flowers are likely to attract bugs and bees, as will wearing heavy perfumes or aftershave. Be sure to let your guests know ahead of time that this will be a garden wedding, so they can plan accordingly (this will allow them to prepare with sunscreen, hats, bug repellant, tissues for allergies, proper weight clothing, and proper footwear).

PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY ISSUES

The final type of arrangements you may need to think about are in the area of photography and videography. Firstly, these services providers need to be informed early on that this will be an outdoor wedding, so that they can bring any special equipment they might need (photographer may need special light meters or shades for the portraits; videographer may need extra amplification or tripods). Ask them to come to the rehearsal or to arrive at the site half an hour early so that they can see the ceremony site and make any special set-ups that they will need. If the videographer is going to be in back of the guests, s/he may need to put remote microphones on the altar or officiant or other participants. (personal note: be sure that they do not set up near the spot in back where parents will bring the fussy babies to keep them from disturbing the ceremony!)

Make sure that the photographer is cognizant of the background, and be sure that there are not plants or trees behind the wedding party that will look as if they are sticking out of people's heads in the photographs! Make sure you have some sort of focal point or background scene which will enhance the photographs of your ceremony (such as stone walls, attractive hedges, an arbor or gazebo). It would be a good idea to think out beforehand where you would like the formal posed portraits (of family and wedding party), and find a setting with a nice backdrop and convenient space.

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