Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony in natural surroundings, or you want to put on your very own weekend wedding festival, outdoor weddings are becoming increasingly popular. But with so many options to choose from, what type will suit your wedding aesthetic?
Take a trip to the beach
One of the most popular types of destination wedding – getting hitched on the beach – doesn’t necessarily mean having to jet off to another part of the world. There are plenty of stunning parts of the UK where you can plan intimate weddings on private beaches, including some very special hotels and boutique venues along the Jurassic Coast.
Beach weddings make for some of the most stunning backdrops for wedding photos – even on a stormy day, there is something strikingly dramatic about waves crashing on to a sandy shore.
Festival vibes in a countryside setting
If music, partying and day-long celebrations are part of your dream wedding, a countryside venue can provide the perfect way to host your very own wedding festival. Whether you’re glamping or staying in a boutique hotel, an outdoor countryside venue is the best place to throw such a big party, away from neighbors and noise limitations.
There is a booming catering industry that can supply a whole range of food trucks to keep your guests well-fed for the entire event, including pizzas, fish and chips, and burgers.
Intimate and magical woodland settings
Intimate and magical woodland settingsPerfect for a Bohemian bride, there is something really magical about tying the knot with leaves gently rustling in the wind, beneath strong trees. There are some incredible ancient woodlands around the country, where you can start your journey into married life under a canopy of trees that have weathered the test of time.
In the UK, weddings must be conducted under a fixed structure (something like a gazebo can count) – so you can either look for a formal wedding venue set within your favorite woodland or have an informal ceremony in a beautiful setting and complete your formal wedding vows in a registry office.
What to do about the weather
Although there are lots of positive aspects to planning an outdoor wedding, it’s really important to remember that even in the height of summer, the weather might not always be on your side. As this blog explains, an important factor to bear in mind is that you should think about how to provide shade from the sun, and shelter from unexpected rain. Wedding insurance can also help you to re-plan in the event that you are hit by severe storms that put your special day at risk.
Otherwise, you could also consider a hybrid venue like a barn conversion or country home that can offer you both indoor and outdoor options for the ceremony and reception.
