Al fresco nuptials How to plan an outdoor wedding Love for the great outdoors is blooming. After being shut up indoors during the pandemic, there’s a growing appreciation for open spaces, fresh air, and all that nature has to offer. Demand for chilled al fresco weddings continues to rise and shows no sign of stopping any time soon. Luckily, we’re blessed in East Anglia with everything from a beautiful coast and countryside to magical forests and more, so the world’s your oyster. Read on for top tips on how to pull off a dream outdoor wedding in style… THE PERFECT LOCATION Karen from The Meadow Garden (www.themeadowgarden.com), a charming venue in Ely, Cambridgeshire, shares her advice on planning an outdoor wedding. As a mother of five who has spent many a church wedding desperate for the children to keep silent, it makes my heart sing to witness a happy outdoor ceremony. An al fresco wedding can be more involved without time restraints that can cause stress and being surrounded by nature offers a calmness that is much more relaxed. There is a lightness and joy to the ceremonies, which, when combined with personal vows, are so meaningful and create memorable moments. For guests, there is more involvement, listening to the couple’s vows, and being free to rejoice and share in their joy. A marquee allows a couple to add their own style; whether they are thinking rustic country charm, traditional, festival vibe, or a vintage soiree, any style of décor can be added to a marquee. Using faux flowers means you can prepare in advance and be creative; they are ideal for archways, entrances, ceremonial areas and displays, plus they are generally not affected by the weather. Hiring decorative items can save on cost and waste, which is better for the environment and your wedding budget. Plus, while a traditional wedding dinner can be enjoyed, an outdoor reception can open the doors to so many catering options, giving couples more choice. Mobile kitchens can cook Caribbean, Thai, barbecue or hog roasts. Street vans can provide burgers, fish and chips, waffles, etc. Cold options for a summer day can be an afternoon tea or a picnic hamper. If you have a wedding cake, use this for dessert; it can be offered with fresh fruit, cream or ice cream. At the Meadow Garden, we offer a faux floristry service and decorative item hire to assist our couples, including the option to hire an ice cream cart. Photographs taken in The Meadow Garden are beautiful and romantic. Some truly amazing moments have been captured by great photographers, plus some fun moments too! Think about your backdrop and make time for photographs; there can never be too many, as they will be your lasting memory of the day. www.eloiseandmitch.com www.fountainphotography.co.uk www.amyblairphotography.co.uk www.sallyrawlinsphotography.com OUTDOOR WEDDINGS 61
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