What are all the considerations we need for an outdoor wedding?

Depending on the location there are a number of key factors to take into account:

1. Weather: Have a solid backup plan, not just for wet weather but also for hot weather and possible storms. If you think these factors are going to cause you too much anxiety, plan an indoor wedding.

2. Heating and Cooling: Marquees can be extremely hot in summer so ensure that the sides can open up to allow airflow. Take this into account also when you are choosing fresh flowers. It can be a little like a hothouse if the weather is 30 degrees or more. Fans work well and blower heaters or mushroom heaters also work well in marquees.

3. Stay Hydrated: Keep guests cool with ample shade, hand-held fans and loads of water. 

4. Event Manager: Hire an experienced manager specialising in outdoor events. There are a number of last-minute decisions that will require decisive action. Take yourself away from logistics and allow someone else the responsibility of making those harsh decisions.

5. Ceremony Light and Shade: Talk to the photographer about the sun and where you should be situated so neither of you are looking directly into the sun during the ceremony. 

6. Guest Comfort: Consider how your older guests will access the area and ensure that they have close access to the bathrooms. Keep them informed and have someone look after their needs throughout the evening.

7. Catering: A good caterer will present their food exceptionally well. Just because it's an outdoor wedding doesn't mean presentation should be lacking. Paper plates and plastic glasses are not ok.

8. Communication: Essential to every wedding is the need for good communication. Where, How, When, etc. We all know how a traditional venue works but if you're mixing it up a little, ensure that your guests have an idea of the timeline of events. Custom signage, arrows and blackboards are practical and add character to an outdoor space.

9. Flowers: Hay fever season is no fun for anyone, particularly your wedding party. Hydies and lilies are gorgeous but not very practical in summer. Use lots of native foliage and hardy blooms. 

10. Food Safety and Hygiene: Always hire a portable cool room. This will serve a purpose for your beverage but will also ensure that your food is kept at the correct temperature. Use an experienced caterer who can take care of everything. 

       and lastly... 

If you decide to have a garden wedding, have some fun with it. Lean on your professional suppliers for help and roll with what unfolds.

Taradale House Estate offers fully furnished marquees onsite. There is no need for generator / bathroom hire PLUS the guests may have access to their own cottages and so they can come and go as they please.

We have your covered.

The main pitfall for an outdoor wedding is the weather. However, you don't need to worry about that at Stonebarn as we have indoor ceremony/reception locations as well as outdoor locations. So weddings that plan to have an outdoor wedding but can no longer due to inclement weather, they just have a plan B and use one of the indoor locations instead.

Due to Stonebarn's remote location, there is no curfew at our outdoor weddings - so feel free to party to the early hours without any noise restrictions :)

Hi there, 

thank you for your question. 

Weddings, we hold in our outdoor spaces, are beautiful. The farm and all greenary around creates great backdrop as well as rustic vibe in an oasis in the city. 

However, there are few pitfalls to be aware of:

# Weather is definitelly the most unpredictible and unavoidable factor. Despite most of our outdoor spaces being under cover, the rainy weather cuts of a bit of the space and outdoor wedding vibe.

# Since Camperdown Commons are located in residential area, we have noice restrictions to follow. All events in outdoor spaces must finish by 10pm (12pm indoors) and no amplified live music is allowed, only accoustic music. Whereas you can have DJ or band playing in the Dining Room (our indoor space).

The outdoor spaces are great for casual cocktail style weddings, however if you prefer slightly more formal setup and party, I'd definitelly recomend the Dining Room. 

Zuzana

Events Coordinator at Camperdown Commons

It all depends on your vision for the space! You can use the beautiful views as your backdrop or elivate the space by hiring items like marquees, tipis or romantic festoon lighting. It's ceratinly a good idea to consider the weather conditions when planning your space.

We have amazing outdoor garden options for bridal couples to choose from and everywhere there are mountain views. But it is essential to have that wet weather backup plan and know in your heart that you will be equally as happy with that should plan B be needed. We have our (full climate controlled for all seasons weather) Skyview Barn on hand that has full glass windows to the mountain so that if the weather isn't favorable you can still enjoy the views!

Outdoor weddings are now popular than ever before but the key considerations are - 

1. Time of the year / climate. Even with fire pits and heaters they make great winter additions but the key issue is protection from the rain.

2. Faciities - Make sure the venue has sufficient power, lighting parking, toilet facilities and rubbish collection.

3. The look - Does the venue suit your style? Does it have an old barn or space that can be decorated to suit what your looking for? Country ouback, vintage, modern, qwuirky or marquess if you have the budget? etc

4. Is there room and easy acess for your vendors? (caterers, furniture deliveries pop up bars etc)

5. Does it include everything you need as things like marquess, toilets, generators etc can be very expensive additions.

6. Noise - will noise and music be an issue? what is the curfew time?

Overall outdoor weddings arent vefy different to indoor weddinsg but generally far more enjoyable.

For outdoor weddings, some of the considerations below pending the space. 

- Wet Weather Option is always required, so ensure your wedding can translate in both the outdoor space and back up indoor space

- Access to Power (hire of a generator is available)

- Access to Bathrooms 

- Generally set up is completed at the last possible moment to ensure that flowers don't spend too long in the sun and wilt, placecards are not blown away etc. 

- You also would need to consider the month and average temperature / rainfall, time of day of the wedding regarding sun / shade / tides. 

- Unique to Hayman is ensuring our environment and the wider Great Barrier Reef area is kept pristine, so all items must be eco-friendly and proper disposal of all waste.  

- Likewise, all items that arrive on Island must go back off the Island so delivery is an additional factor for Hayman Island Resort. 

Your wedding executive can walk you through this and any other information you require. 

One of the most important aspects for booking an outdoor ceremony location is that you have a wet weather back-up option either at the same venue, or at an alternate venue. I suggest looking for venues that offer an included wet weather solution suitable for the number of guests you expect to attend, so you don't have to pay additional costs for a second back-up venue, or to hire a wet weather structure such as a marquee, which can add thousands to your budget.

Additionally, you want to consider season and temperatures, shade and position of the sun. If it's Summer, you want to have some shade, or be able to add some nice garden umbrellas to your set-up, and in Winter, you want to have an area where you can have sunshine, which will still be warming, if it's a cooler day.
The position of the sun, and time of year needs to be considered, so you don't end up planning a wedding where the couple end up being blinded by the sun, and can't see each other properly during this important moment (and all the photos are of you squinting), or guests are all facing the sun, and also can't enjoy watching the ceremony, and you are silhouetted again the brightness behind you.

Lastly, try to have the alter set in all shade or all sun, not dappled shade, so your photographer can get the best photos!

Thanks for your query!

For Ceremonies, we have 5 ceremony gardens to choose from. We can offer a wet weather alternative location which a marquee can be placed in this space just in case. This can be decided at 2 weeks out to add on to your package and then on the day if we need it we can set your ceremony underneath still surrounded by gardens. If you choose not to have this option but it doesn rain on the day, your ceremony can be moved inside our Grand Marquee onto the dance floor space. 

For the reception, our grand marquee has clear sides overlooking the gardens. For evening receptions, the reception starts with an hour of pre-dinner canapes on the lawn followed by a reception in the marquee. However if you are wanting a full wedding outside, we would need to conclude by 6pm for noise restrictions.