Outdoor Destination Wedding: Tips for Picture-Perfect and Weather-Ready Events

Whether it’s a scenic garden, a beachside venue, or a mountaintop retreat, there’s no shortage of beautiful outdoor locations for your Destination Wedding, to say “I do.” But as any seasoned event planner knows, Mother Nature can be unpredictable, and even the most carefully laid plans can be derailed by unexpected rain showers, gusty winds, or sweltering heat.

Although it doesn’t usually rain much throughout the year in Greece, however when it does you should be prepared! As you plan for your Outdoor Destination Wedding, here are a few tips to ensure you have a wonderful wedding or even if the weather is different from what you expect.

Research the Area of your Destination Wedding

You may already have a wedding venue in mind. While you can’t always predict the weather on your wedding day, a little research can help you choose the best day or season. Some weather apps provide weather predictions months ahead of time.

You could also contact a local meteorologist from the country or city of your venue and ask for insight. Check online for advanced meteorology services and enlist the help of weather professionals to keep an eye out for your wedding date specifically.

Have a Contingency Plan for your Outdoor Destination Wedding

Even if you feel you have chosen a date that will most likely have good weather, it’s still important to have contingency plans for all phases of your wedding. Speak with your planner about what you could do if it rains or if there’s a lot of wind, like on Mykonos for instance. You will also need to ensure that your chosen venue can accommodate last-minute changes in case of bad weather.

Ask if a tent or indoor space is available and if there are backup generators or inverters in case power goes off. A tent can enhance the ambiance of your wedding. Look for clear-top tents that will allow guests to enjoy the view of a beautiful mountain vista or the sea.

If your reception will be outdoors, consider a menu that can withstand both the heat and the cold. Ideally, the caterers should be as close to where people will eat as possible. That way, the food will be served hot and people don’t have to travel a long way for seconds.

Prepare Your Guests

A destination wedding already requires you to communicate with your guests constantly for things like hotel bookings, flights and other information about your chosen destination. You can create a wedding website to tell your guests what to expect at your wedding. Let them know what the weather might be, so they are aware of the environment and the right attire to wear. Consider adding “Frequently Asked Questions” to your wedding website.

You should also let them know about the terrain. Will it be grassy? On a hill? Is there hiking involved? Or will they need to wear shoes that are suitable for the beach? Communicating ahead of time will ensure that your guests will be comfortable and focused on celebrating with you.

Enhance Guest Experience

Prepare your guests for the weather, but consider ways you can keep them comfortable in the outdoor wedding experience. For hot days, incorporate shade in your decor with umbrellas or canopies. Consider providing sunscreen, hand-held fans, and misters on a hot day.

For rainy days, clear plastic umbrellas will help your guests to have unobstructed views as they walk around. They will look great in pictures, too! You can also place towels in the bathrooms for guests to use if they need to dry themselves off.

If you’re having a winter destination wedding, you can keep your guests warm with a hot cocoa station or open fire pit station, and a blanket box filled with pashminas or throws in case they need more warmth. You might not be aware, but Greece is a wonderful destination for a winter wedding!

Use the Weather to Your Advantage

An outdoor wedding is perfect for incorporating nature into your design and decor. Use flowers, leaf garlands and natural elements that complement the nature surrounding the venue. The outdoor atmosphere will be a big part of your wedding decor, and you want to create a harmonious balance with your decor and environment.

Although it does not rain that much in Greece, however, if it turns out that your ceremony will be on a rainy day, have no fear. Your photographer can still take beautiful pictures. They can use backlighting in rain or snow to put the focus on you as a couple while highlighting falling raindrops. They can also use puddles and water to capture your reflections for unique photos.

Remember to Enjoy Your Wedding

Whatever happens, enjoy and take in the beauty of all you have prepared. Your big day will be a success if you have a backup plan and are prepared for any sudden weather changes. From renting a tent or canopy to having an indoor space available, there are plenty of ways to ensure that your special day goes off without a hitch, no matter what the weather brings.

About the Author:

Author bio: Cora Gold is a wedding writer and editor of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. You can find and connect with Cora on Facebook, Pinterest or LinkedIn.