HOT TOPIC: THE GREAT OUTDOORS This issue, we asked the region’s experts for their advice on planning an outdoor wedding BE PREPARED Simone Parkinson, sales and marketing manager from Berwick Lodge (www.berwicklodge.co.uk) says: Keep all suppliers (including registrars) informed of your plans and always check in to see if they’re happy and able to host outdoors. Some areas of the day may need to be tweaked to accommodate various elements: sunshine causing candles to melt, wilting flowers and even bowing musical instruments! Let your guests know too, so that they’re dressed and prepared for all eventualities. You may consider supplying parasols, water bottles and even heel stoppers for the grass. Utilise the outdoor elements as much as you can. Being outdoors means you can use the natural flora all around. Perhaps a beautiful natural aisle, wildflowers for additional decoration, or orchards and woodland for shade. Remember to manage your own expectations! This is England and the weather may not be on your side. Ensure you’ve mentally prepared yourself and that the change of plan doesn’t disappoint or spoil your day. Prepare for plan B, C and D! You’ll need to talk through a weather contingency with your venue and suppliers. If it’s too hot, cold, windy... these things will all affect the day differently. Producing alternative plans will ensure the day runs seamlessly and is just as beautiful and enjoyable wherever it takes place and whichever way things go. OPEN-AIR “I DOS” Jackie Aldrich and Deb Stogell of Just Ceremonies (https://justceremonies.co.uk) say: One of the best things about a celebrantled wedding is that you can hold your ceremony anywhere outside. You’ll have no legal restrictions on the content, or the time and length of your nuptials. Your guests can sit or indeed walk around the area as you spread the ceremony over several different spots. You can even have a toast to start your ceremony or to end it. And if you have four-legged friends, they can be included very easily in the great outdoors. Most choose a place that feels special, but outside you’re offered a different set of walls, bringing you together with the world around you. This gives you the chance to declare your love to that special someone close to nature with the sounds of other life such as birds or water enveloping you as you enjoy the view. Weddings that take place al fresco don’t just offer the fresh air but, when led by a celebrant, can encompass the whole wedding party in celebration. The “I dos” aren’t just a set of words, they’re a story waiting to be told and an open-air setting can only enhance that story on your wonderful wedding day. https://greenantlersphotography.com 53 EXPERT ADVICE www.richardlewisphotography.co.uk
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