Pros & Cons: Outdoor Ceremonies

If you’ve ever scrolled through Pinterest or Instagram and spotted a couple saying, “I do” under a big oak tree, or in front of a mountain backdrop, it’s easy to fall in love with the idea of an outdoor wedding. There’s something magical about getting married under the sky…fresh with air, natural light, and maybe a few birds chirping in the background.

But as dreamy as it sounds, outdoor weddings come with their own set of challenges. If you’re trying to decide whether to take your ceremony outside, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons to help you.

Pros:

Gorgeous scenery. Nature is the best wedding decor. Whether it’s a beach, garden, forest, or meadow, outdoor settings are stunning. You can spend less on flowers or decorations, because the surroundings are already beautiful.

Natural lighting. Photographers love outdoor ceremonies because natural light is extremely flattering. Your photos are likely to come out bright, soft, and beautiful. Consider the photographer’s “golden hour” if you’re having your ceremony at sunset.

More space. Outdoor venues usually have more room to spread out. That means less crowding, more freedom to move around, and even some creative seating arrangements. Plus, kids can run around without knocking into anything that’s been rented or would be expensive to replace.

A relaxed vibe. There’s something about being outside that just makes things feel more laid-back and casual in a good way. It’s perfect if you want a ceremony that feels natural and less formal.

Cons:

Weather worries. This is the big one. Rain, wind, heat waves, sudden cold snaps…Weather is unpredictable, and it can seriously affect the plans you’ve carefully crafted.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve sat with brides an hour before their ceremonies watching the Weather Channel to track potential downpours, wind gusts, and snowstorms…waiting until the last moment to decide whether to hold the ceremony at the outdoor site. Instead of feeling happy, nervous and excited about walking down the aisle, they are worrying if the weather will cooperate and align with their plans. I’ve seen beautiful—and likely expensive—bridal trains ruined by wet grass and mud. (Consider, also, the threat of damage to the DJ’s or musicians’ equipment if the weather takes a turn.)

Extreme temperatures and humidity are other factors to think about. A great deal of money and time are spent buying just the right dress and having hair and makeup done, so take that into consideration when deciding whether you want to subject this investment to high temps and humidity or the cold. Additionally, your elderly guests may have difficulty managing these severe elements.

Bugs and wildlife. Mosquitoes, bees, flies…Outdoor weddings can come with uninvited guests. And depending on where you are, you might have to worry about ants in the grass or birds overhead.

As I began officiating for a lovely couple who chose a meadow for their ceremony on a beautiful hot summer day, I noticed that a wasp was caught under the bride’s veil. I motioned for the Maid of Honor to assist in releasing it, with the intention of keeping disruption to the ceremony at a minimum. As the veil was being adjusted, the bride snapped her head around, saw the wasp and began freaking out. The wasp was released without harm to the bride or anyone else, but it definitely upset her and the groom, and the ceremony vibe was altered.

Sound and technical challenges. Outside, there are no natural acoustics; in other words, there’s nothing for sound to bounce off of. If you don’t have a microphone or sound system, guests might not hear the music or your vows—especially if there’s wind or traffic nearby.

Noise. Depending on the location you choose, there are outdoor sounds and noises that can crop up without warning and are impossible to control.

I’ve officiated ceremonies while party boats with lots of people cheered for the couple, a nearby cow frequently moo-ed, a train whizzed by behind us, dogs barked, steamboats blared their horns, and even a cannon went off.

Extra planning required. Outdoor weddings usually involve additional logistics to consider: a solid path to the ceremony site for the wedding party and guests (especially those who are mobility-impaired), site set-up, locating bathrooms and ensuring they’re ADA accessible, putting up tents or shelters from the weather, obtaining permits for public space use, researching local noise ordinances, assessing parking availability, and more. It can be done, it just requires a different approach when planning.

So… Should we do it? If your heart is set on a ceremony surrounded by nature and you’re okay with a little unpredictability, an outdoor wedding can be absolutely unforgettable. A solid back-up plan is essential, though; think tents, umbrellas, or even an indoor Plan B, and communicate clearly with your vendors and guests what to expect so they can prepare.

On the other hand, if you want to avoid technical issues and reduce potential stress and discomfort for yourself and your guests, there’s nothing wrong with choosing an indoor venue for your ceremony and stepping outside for some beautiful photos afterwards.

At the end of the day, however, it doesn’t matter whether you’re under twinkle lights in the backyard or in a temperature-controlled banquet room, what’s most important is the declaration of your love and commitment to your spouse done in the presence of your family and friends.