When love is in bloom, is there any better place to celebrate than a garden wedding?
Imagine walking down the aisle — or, more likely, stepping stones or a grass pathway — amid an enchanting, colorful, and fragrant display … and, possibly, bees, and pollen.
If you’ve always dreamed of being married in a setting brimming with natural beauty, a garden wedding may be the right choice. There is a caveat, however. Even though every wedding venue strives for perfection, there’s no surefire way to control Mother Nature. Which means an outdoor ceremony might require a little more advance — and backup — planning.
We have some tips that can help.
But first, let’s look at the many reasons to choose a garden wedding. Some may surprise you.
Living, Breathing Space
Even when they’re held in the same venue, no two garden weddings are alike. That’s because a garden is a living, breathing space that changes nearly hour by hour. Overnight, a charming display of greenery and buds can become a showy parade of flowers. And as the sun passes overhead (most garden weddings are held during the day), it illuminates the scene differently, highlighting some areas and casting others in quiet shadows — and making for some extremely beautiful and flattering photos.
That said, the garden you see in April won’t be the same garden at all in September. Blooming seasons vary, so if you have your heart set on tulips in the background or love the idea of fall leaves rustling overhead, you have to sync your calendar with nature.
From Simple Beauty to Lush Extravagance: You Set the Tone
Garden weddings are often more affordable and less fussy. With nature providing the backdrop, you’ll avoid the need for expensive decorations and floral arrangements. All you’ll really need for the ceremony, for example, are chairs, bouquets, and boutonnieres. If you and your partner are the wind-in-our-hair, no-need-to-dress-up, types, a garden wedding lets you sidestep the formality of, say, a church ceremony.
On the other hand, you can still go all out if you want to. After all, when it’s a garden wedding, the sky is, literally, the limit! Getting married under an arch or pergola that your florist decorates to match your bouquet theme can help you personalize the setting.
Luminaria or lanterns can help you up the ambiance even more while enhancing the natural lighting at a late afternoon or early evening wedding. Just remember to make sure whatever you add complements and doesn’t clash with the natural surroundings.
Music to Your Ears
Birds, wildlife, and water features make a garden wedding “sound” good.
At the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, for example, couples can say their vows next to the soothing Lily Pond with the forest all around them. At The Bell Tower at 34th, the grounds include private gardens and a gorgeous water wall.
Child-Friendly Environment
Although many weddings are adults-only events, some couples wouldn’t dream of being married without children in attendance. The relative informality of a garden wedding can help kids feel more comfortable and welcome, and it’s easier to keep them entertained with lawn games, bubble wands, even an outdoor hideaway like a tent — things you’d never dream of having in many other venues.
But remember: it may be your wedding, but it’s not your garden. Don’t let anyone — children, adults, or the photographer eager to get just the right shot — trample on or trash the environment.
Don’t Leaf Anything to Chance
If the best part about a garden wedding is that it’s outdoors amid nature, well, that’s the potentially riskiest part as well.
There’s no guarantee that the day you choose for your wedding will be without weather worries. But that’s no reason to cross the idea of a garden wedding off your list. There are ways to prepare for whatever comes your way, rain or shine.
Here are a few ideas.
· Too sunny? To keep harsh rays off your guests’ faces with patio umbrellas placed throughout your venue. Have your florist decorate the stands to match your theme. A basket filled with individual sunscreens and even giveaway sunglasses is a thoughtful touch.
· Too cold? Many venues can provide portable space heaters for a fee. If they don’t, find out if it’s okay to rent propane or even electric heaters from a third party. But remember: you have to have wiring to use an electric heater, and outlets might not be available or accessible outdoors.
· Too warm? Pop-up tents and portable fans can keep your guests cool on unexpectedly hot days. Paper fans are cooling and even elegant. And don’t forget how important it is to have bottled water or pitchers of something refreshing and non-alcoholic on hand. Some couples even provide a stack of wide-brimmed hats as a wedding favor.
· Too wet? Sure, you can offer umbrellas, rain ponchos, or fluffy towels to your guests in case of a downpour. But it’s probably wiser to have paid a “just-in-case” deposit on some large tents that can accommodate everyone, instead. And, of course, some venues offer the use of buildings, too, like River Oaks Garden Club, so you’re literally covered if the weather goes awry.
· Too many pests? There’s no uninvited guest as rude as a swarm of mosquitoes or some flies that don’t get the hint and leave on their own. Work with your planner to keep bugs at bay. Some venues will do broadcast spraying ahead of time (using “green” treatments, if you prefer; others provide citronella candles to light during the ceremony. It’s always a good idea to have bug repellant on hand for your guests, as well as an emergency kit for bites and stings. To deter insects, incorporate natural pesticides, like sprigs of rosemary, lavender, mint, and thyme.
With a bit of strategic planning, you can make sure your garden wedding is remembered most for its beauty — not for unwelcome surprises from Mother Nature.