OUTDOOR WINTER WEDDING

     THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN CHOOSING  AN OUTDOOR WEDDING VENUE

There are some special things that you need to take into consideration when you’re choosing an outdoor venue for your winter wedding. While some of the same concerns that exist when choosing an indoor winter wedding venue like parking and cost, it’s also important to consider a few other things.

What will the weather be like?

Unless you have a working crystal ball, there is no way to predict exactly what the weather will be like on your special day. However, there are tools you can use to predict what the weather might be like. First of all, consider the area that you live in. If you live in Florida, it’s unlikely that you will be facing snow or sub zero temperatures on your wedding day, but if you live in Minnesota you might be facing exactly that. Take into account what the weather is usually like at the time of the year when you’re planning your wedding. Get a Farmer’s Almanac and check the Almanac’s weather predictions for several winter wedding dates in different months.

Where the location of the outdoor venue?

Is it hard to find? Is there adequate seating? Are seats provided or do you need to rent chairs or benches for your guests? If the venue is in a park is the path well marked? All of these factors can influence what outdoor venue you choose for your wedding. If you’re having 100 guests coming to the venue then you need to make sure it’s accessible for everyone, even guests who might be elderly or handicapped. If you want to exchange vows on a remote mountaintop that is only accessible by ski lift, it might be a good idea for the ceremony to be attended only by immediate family and celebrate with the rest of your family and friends at the reception.

How will your guests get to the location?

If the ground is snowy, you don’t want your guests plowing through the snow in their fine clothes. Is there a path for the guests? Is transportation, like a horse drawn sleigh, available to bring guests from the parking lot to the spot where the ceremony will be held? If there is no snow but the ground is wet and muddy you might need to lay down indoor/outdoor carpet or some other surface for your guests and the bridal party to walk on in order to be safe and to keep their feet dry and comfortable.

Is there a pavilion or shelter nearby?

Every bride hopes the weather will be perfect for her wedding day, but every bride also needs to be prepared for the worst. If it begins raining or snowing, is there a pavilion, shelter, or clubhouse at the outdoor venue where the reception can be held? Be sure to check out the pavilion before agreeing to hold your wedding at that venue. If you do hold the wedding there, decorate the pavilion or shelter beforehand so that if the worst happens the pavilion will be decorated and comfortable for your guests. If the weather is nice, guests can mingle in the pavilion and outside of it.

INSURANCE FOR WEDDINGS

A few words about protecting your investment when choosing an outdoor winter wedding

Planning a wedding is time consuming, and can be very expensive. You will need to put down deposits on the venue, catering, and possibly things like tent rentals, chair rentals, arranging for limos or other transportation, and a back up venue in case the weather doesn’t cooperate with your wedding plans.

If you’re planning on having an outdoor winter wedding you should very seriously consider investing in wedding insurance. Wedding insurance can help defray your costs if you lose your deposits on venues, transportation, catering and all the other costs associated with planning a wedding because of a natural disaster like a fallen tree, a hurricane, a snowstorm, a fire, or some other event that makes it impossible for your wedding to go on as planned.

Wedding insurance can also help repay your costs if the wedding doesn’t happen for any other reason. While some people think that planning for the worst by buying wedding insurance is somehow inviting bad luck, it makes a lot of financial sense to protect your investment in your wedding.

With standard weddings costing thousands of dollars, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars, it’s only prudent to protect your financial investment in the wedding with wedding insurance. There are many wedding planning websites that can help you find a reliable wedding insurer. It’s a good idea to at least talk with an insurance agent who specializes in wedding insurance about the cost of a wedding insurance policy when you’re planning an outdoor winter wedding.