A beautiful and budget-friendly venue is an ideal concept for many couples, but what may seem to-good-to-be-true can easily prove to be just that unless the wedding couple and the wedding planner are educated about all that is involved when hosting a wedding in a park or other public space.

Here are helpful reminders for planning a wedding in a park:

Location

Outdoor public spaces such as recreational parks or state parks are natural, gorgeous settings for a wedding, however, there can be various things to consider before selecting just any spot to say I do. For example, a couple had their first kiss by the large fountain in the center of the park. It’s grand, and in the spring has tulips blooming all around so that means no need for flowers at the ceremony.  

You, as the planner, may want to point out a few questions.

1. What if it is very windy on their wedding day?  
2. Is the couple and their wedding party okay with some of the water from the fountain spraying them during the ceremony?  
3. Will the sound of the water make it too loud for guests seated in the back of their space to hear what is being said?
4. Is there is a workable back up plan in case of terrible weather?

It may be a good idea to tell them that yes, that would be a great spot for their vows to be said, but to avoid any issues, what about having the ceremony a little ways back from the fountain and have it be in the background. They can also take pictures by it after the ceremony.

Make sure you walk around the area with the couple at various times of the day so they can see what is going on during different times. Consider where the sun will be during the ceremony time. Will it be directly in the guest’s eyes?

It is important to consider public events that take place in the park such as little league or soccer practice. Those could majorly disrupt a wedding ceremony. Being prepared now will avoid any annoyances or regrets on the wedding day.

Helpful article: 6 Challenges With Unconventional Wedding Venues

Who’s the Boss?

Once you’ve determined the perfect place, contact the park’s administrative office and find out if weddings are allowed there. Or, the better idea would be to know this before a couple falls in love with the space, only to be told they cannot use it. Schedule a time with the person in charge of events and ask about rules such as does the site have to be reserved, will it be blocked off by the park on the event day, what are the rules, what type of parking is available, and what is the fee?

It is also very important to ask about any required permits. The permit will state what is allowed on-site such as seating, facilities, music ordinance guidelines, alcohol, parking, cleanup, etc.  If the reception will be held at the same site, a separate alcohol permit will most likely be required as well. It would not hurt to ask what events are also scheduled in the area that day to make sure parking will not be an issue for guests.

Helpful article: 7 Tips on Finding the Perfect Wedding Venue

Mother Nature

Yes, Mother Nature will be the most important guest that day and depending on the time of year and location, unpredictable as well.  Make sure that your couple is 110% in love with their wedding site and plan to have the event come rain or shine.

Should Mother Nature let tears of joy fall from the sky on the day of the wedding, you need a back up plan if the weather is too unbearable to sit through.  If the time of year calls for showers, suggest umbrellas at each seat or if it will be very sunny, one fun idea is sunglasses for each guest as a favor for them to have on their ceremony seat.  Pinterest is full of weather proofing ideas to check out.

Of course, the couple will want to make sure their guests know that the events are taking place outdoors and in what kind of setting so they can dress accordingly.  For example, if the wedding will take place in the middle of a grassy field, stilettos may not be the best footwear for women as their heels would be sticking into the ground with every step they take. It is also important to ensure that the wedding party, while looking amazing, is also comfortable for the weather conditions.

Keeping these details in mind and not leaving any questions unasked will leave much less room for an stressful wedding day.  Prior to scouting out locations, get a list of the places that your clients are considering and do your own research on the internet or take a solo tour so that you are prepared to point out various details to your couple and be ready with facts and questions.

This is a guest post from Christine Pirkle.

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