Your Sussex Wedding - June/July 2020 (Issue 85)

THE GREAT OUTDOORS Plan your al fresco celebrations with a world of wisdom from local suppliers Plan for success L ike any wedding, al fresco nuptials need careful planning to avoid any on-the-day stress. Make sure you agree together a clear and realistic budget, as it’s easy to get carried away by the sheer space you’re faced with. Kim Stewart of Great Betley Farmhouse says, “At an outdoor venue you potentially have far more scope with your guest list numbers and the style of your wedding, but obviously, things are going to need to fit within your budget. Don’t forget to factor in essentials such as a generator for power, loos, furniture and lighting. It’s also a good idea to check if your guests can camp at the venue. In which case, you could hire some bell tents for the ultimate glamping experience.” Also consider how you envision your vows. “Having a registrar at a licensed venue can cost around the same as having a celebrant. To get a truly personal wedding service think about doing the legal bit at a registry office beforehand and having a celebrant conduct a romantic and meaningful ceremony at your venue,” Kim advises. Not all of your guests will feel as passionately about the great outdoors as you do, so it’s important to make sure everyone is as comfortable as can be. Kim says, “Have plenty of bottles of water on hand. If it’s a scorcher, everyone will need to stay hydrated. You could also supply paper fans and sunscreen, or if the budget doesn’t permit, suggest to guests in the invitations that they bring these along. Similarly, you could offer blankets for the evening – even in the summer the temperature can drop when the sun goes down.” Plus, there are bound to be some creepy crawly guests showing up uninvited: “Citronella candles and flares will help to keep them at bay,” Kim shares. Finally, be sure to consider sustainability and eco-friendly factors, and check your venue’s rules. As Kim explains, “Here at Great Betley, we only allow real petal or leaf confetti as even the biodegradable paper version takes an age to break down. Fireworks and balloon or Chinese lantern releases can have a devastating effect on farmland and livestock, so consider this carefully.”  www.lauramarthaphotography.com for To Have and To Hire www.photographybybond.co.uk for Great Betley Farmhouse www.photographybybond.co.uk for Great Betley Farmhousw www.realsimplephotography.net for Great British Bell Tents AL FRESCO WEDDINGS 65