Is there anything better than an outdoor wedding in New England? We have so much gorgeous scenery, and each season brings its own beauty and challenges. It’s no wonder that many couples opt for an outdoor wedding. But if you’re going to have your wedding outside, it’s crucial to prepare properly. There are several things to keep in mind, so you can have the wedding of your dreams and create a good experience for your guests.

Hire the right vendors

When it comes to planning an outdoor wedding, it’s so important to hire the right vendors. Ideally, you’ll want vendors who have worked an outdoor wedding before. This is especially true for your rental company, DJ, caterer, and wedding planner. We highly recommend hiring a wedding planner for your outdoor wedding. They can help you avoid any classic mistakes. Meanwhile, if you hire other experienced vendors, they’ll also have a good idea of what they’ll need to give you and your guests a good experience. If your caterer has worked outdoor weddings before, they’ll have a better idea of how much electricity they need, or they might even be able to bring their own equipment. Your vendors can make your wedding amazing or difficult, so choose wisely.

Keep the season in mind

One of the benefits of living in New England is having all four seasons. But depending on your season, you’re going to want to take different precautions. For example, if you have a fall wedding, we recommend a tent with sidewalls and heaters. It might kill your vibe a bit, but when the sun goes down, it’s going to get cold, and your guests will thank you for keeping them warm. Meanwhile, if you’re having a summer wedding, New England can still get hot, so provide lots of water and maybe even individual fans. We recommend not having an outdoor winter wedding. This just doesn’t work in New England. It’s too cold and snowy, so do your guests a favor and keep the New England winter wedding indoors.

Have an inclement weather plan

Regardless of when and where you’re getting married, you need a backup plan for the weather. The reality of planning an outdoor wedding is that sometimes it ends up indoors or under a tent. Honestly, you could have a weird fall day that’s too cold for an outdoor wedding, or it could just simply rain. That being said, there are many tent types out there that are gorgeous or that you can upgrade with decor. We recommend either having a tent put up regardless so you have a backup plan or picking a venue with indoor options. Have a bad weather plan ahead of time to save yourself stress on your wedding day.

Make sure you have the essentials – like electricity

If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, it’s important that you have everything you need to be able to pull off an amazing wedding. If you’re working with a venue that has outdoor locations, this shouldn’t be an issue. But if you’re having a backyard wedding, it’s so important to think about things like bathrooms, electricity, and a safe place for your caterer to set up shop.

We cannot overstate how important it is to have multiple bathrooms. You don’t want people going through your house or waiting in super long lines. Nowadays, you can rent nice restroom trailers and add in lovely touches like florals and toiletries.

You’ll also need lighting throughout your reception area. Tents can look amazing with bistro lights, so reach out to your rental or lighting company to see how you can get creative with it.

While you’re at it, if you’re planning on your guests dancing, it’s a good idea to install a dance floor. It’s hard to dance on the grass!

Choose the right decor

The good news about an outdoor wedding is that you might not need too much decor. If you’re getting married in the mountains or with a gorgeous fall background, you might be able to keep it minimal. However, you can still always go all out! Add chandeliers to your tent or get super creative with lighting. Your wedding planner, rental company, and florist can help you figure out what makes sense for the space.

Let your guests know

You want your guests to be prepared for an outdoor wedding. Be sure to include the details on your wedding website or even your invitation. The last thing you want is guests showing up not properly dressed for the season or unprepared to be walking on grass.

Outdoor weddings can be magical, especially in New England. But it’s important to plan accordingly because you never know what’s going to happen. Always be thinking about your guests and what makes sense for where you’re getting married. Taking precautions and understanding the difficulties of an outdoor wedding can save you a lot of stress in the long run.