What are some good outdoor wedding ideas?

Outdoor Wedding Ideas: Breathtakingly Beautiful

If you picture your wedding in terms of sweeping vistas, budding foliage or white-crested waves, this is the right section for you. Great outdoor wedding ideas with picturesque settings include:

Botanical gardens: With pristine landscaping and fragrant flowers, botanical gardens provide a romantic atmosphere for your ceremony and reception. Most major cities have botanical gardens that host weddings, like the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

Conservatories: Like botanical gardens, conservatories feature lush greenery and gorgeous floral displays. Places like The Conservatory in St. Louis provide beautiful wedding environments year-round.

Parks: Find a local park for a low-key, low-cost wedding (be sure to get a permit!) or explore the resources of a national park, where history and natural wonders combine with stunning results. In Colorado, a favorite site for ceremonies is the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Arboretums: For a fall wedding, you can't beat the gold and scarlet hues of deciduous trees. The U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., hosts ceremonies and receptions on its enchanting grounds.

Beaches: Whether or not you live near the ocean, you can consider a beachfront wedding. From local lakes, such as Lake George in New York, to a tropical wedding getaway, beaches offer a fun and romantic outdoor wedding option.

College campuses: For an Ivy League environment, explore nearby college campuses. Even if it's not your alma mater, a college like Harvard University can provide historical architecture and modern conveniences.

Outdoor Wedding Ideas: Unusual Themes

Zoos: Perhaps not the first venue to come to mind, many zoos offer a mix of elegance and whimsy for a one-of-a-kind experience. At the San Francisco Zoo , wedding guests can experience the African Savanna, complete with giraffes and zebras, as they dine.

Stadiums: Sports lovers everywhere concur - Tying the knot where your local team kicks up the dirt is magical! Many cities' stadiums allow ceremonies and photo opportunities, like the Chicago Cubs' historic Wrigley Field.

Old West: Cowboys and cowgirls, why not get hitched in the Old West? The famous city of Deadwood, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, provides colorful history, numerous gaming halls and historic museums. Or check out an Old West replica town for a movie set feel.

Hoedown: Promenade your partner to the altar in a barn or stable. Located just outside Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, the Fearrington Barn can be dressed up for an elegant atmosphere or dressed down for rustic charm. The Barn Journal provides a nationwide list of barns available for wedding rentals.

Destination wedding: In addition to these outdoor wedding ideas, you could opt for the ever-popular destination wedding for the ceremony and reception. Have a barefoot-on-the-beach wedding in Maui, a mountaintop ski-in wedding in the Alps, or a wine-tasting bike trip down the California coast.

Backyard: Another option is to plan your wedding closer to home. It may surprise you, but many brides choose to say "I do" in their own (or a relatives') backyard. For a special, intimate space, the yard you played in as a child may be just right. Or, if an aunt has a big pool and likes to have parties, perhaps you can have your big day poolside!

Outdoor Wedding Ideas: Things to Remember

You can celebrate your nuptials at a variety of outdoor venues. All it takes is a little research, imagination and careful planning. Once you've selected your outdoor wedding spot, keep these things in mind:

Weather: If it's going to be hot, think about providing your guests with refreshments during the ceremony: Bottles of water passed out with the programs should keep everyone hydrated until the reception begins. If it's going to be cool, inform your guests beforehand so that they can come prepared with coats or wraps. Make sure you've got a backup plan in case of rain!

Nature: If you're near water or in an area that has a lot of bugs, think about having the area sprayed for insect control prior to the wedding. Light citronella candles and keep a bug zapper in the vicinity.

Decor: Since you've got the great outdoors providing scenery, you probably don't need much in the way of decorations. If you're putting candles on the tables, don't forget to encase them with hurricane lamps so that the wind doesn't blow them out. And if you think it might be windy, try putting small fishing weights on the ends of your veil to keep it in place.

Food: In warm weather, certain foods spoil quickly. Avoid buttercream frosting on your wedding cake (try marzipan), and make sure any hors d'oeuvres that will be sitting out don't contain mayonnaise.

With a little foresight, you will have every contingency covered so that on the big day you can relax and enjoy yourself. With our outdoor wedding ideas, you can have an unforgettable wedding in a gorgeous setting. Happy planning!