Outside Wedding Ceremonies: to be or not to be?

Ok, so we all know what the UK weather is? Majorly unreliable. For the last 2 years, we have had some guaranteed warm weather and sunshine during the months of April – September. Very hard to pinpoint when. 

When I was getting married, I choose July. Peak summer season and thought ‘yes, definitely going to be sunny for my ceremony’. I choose to risk it and I booked Plas Glansevin, a beautiful venue in Wales with a stunning oak tree in the front gardens.

I wanted to have my service outside. For all brides who also had this idea, I bet you also spent your time at work on BBC weather, refreshing every day to check the weather forecast (2 months in advance!).

Let’s be serious. Outdoor wedding ceremonies are a dream. Next to nature, breathing fresh air and some gorgeous settings but they come with big considerations. Don’t be scared by it though, you just need to be prepared. 

Here are some top tips:

1    1.  Have a backup plan

You’ve found a lovely field in the middle of the Cotswolds but there is absolutely no shelter anywhere. This is a no, no. At the very least, rent a canopy for the front of the ceremony for you both, or a whole marquee for the ‘just in case’. Marquees and canopies can be decorated to fit your theme and add a touch of personality to an open space. 

2.  Buy some umbrellas

Let’s face it, it could be beautiful sunshine in the morning and then start raining during your service (yes, that happened to me!). Be prepared. Ask you guests to bring an umbrella in your colour theme or purchase enough white umbrellas for your guests. They can look great in pictures and if you are stuck for cash, could be a good favour!

      3. Make it accessible

You can score some great free outdoor venues. You might just need to get permission but you can cut venue costs by far. However, make sure your venue is easily accessible to high heel shoes and pushchairs. If the weather takes a turn for the worst in the week before, go visit and check for muddy patches. Consider laying some wooden slacks or some hay (yes, hay!) to give a better walk way.

      4. Have fun

Although you cannot guarantee the weather in this country, enjoy it. You are British and for your whole life you have had to get used to this unreliable, unfavourable, sometimes wonderful weather. If it is sunny, fabulous. If it rains, go with it. Wear your welly boots, put up your white umbrella and smile. It’s your big day!

Unusual UK Wedding Venues

Finding a good venue is top of most bride-to-bes' to do list, but selecting somewhere that stands out from the rest is easier said than done. Long gone are the days of a simple hotel buffet and now weddings rarely come without elaborate planning and attention to detail, with emphasis on personality and an original slant.

It's becoming harder to find somewhere that's really unique - but not impossible. You can now choose any outdoor location you like, in a treehouse or on the beach for example. You can find castles or village halls that aren't licensed but will you give you the hire for cheap. This saving you money and creating your own experience at the same time.

Take a look at some of these wacky options!

The Treehouse in Scotland - Spirit your guests back to childhood with this delightfully rustic treehouse overlooking Loch Goil in Scotland. With room enough for just 24 people, it's an intimate and romantic venue with sweeping mountain and lake views! 

Everyone does tipis these days - but a wedding in a themed Arabian tent, now that's something different. The Arabian Tent Company specialises in unique wedding marquees, with eight interiors to choose from. We particularly like the William Morris tent (pictured) and the exotically themed Bombay Boudoir. 

We tend to associate beach weddings with Hawaii or Mexico but Beach Weddings Bournemouth recently ceremonies take place around a picturesque ivory-painted beach hut with decking and the option of marquees for more guests. Tie the knot, grab yourself an ice-cream and head down to the sea just yards away...

And so much more!

Featured in Bristol and Somerset Wedding Magazine

Check out the latest Bristol and Somerset Wedding Magazine for the Tailor Made Ceremonies Advert. What do you think? Like it?

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Wedding Ceremonies at Clavershay Barn, Somerset

I have officiated many beautiful ceremonies at the gorgeous Clavershay Barn, North Pertheton in Taunton. 

One that stands out is Tom and Steph's last July. The ceremony was completely tailored to them and personalised from vows, readings and commitments. It was a sunny day full of romance!

Here is a great blog, put together by the couple with a review of their big day, including their ceremony.

http://www.rockmywedding.co.uk/truly-our-own/

Here is a snippet from their rock my wedding entry:

A Very Moving Ceremony

Tom and I had a humanist ceremony outside as our venue wasn’t licensed for our big day. The ceremony was conducted by Jennifer Constant at Tailor Made Ceremonies and felt really special for the both of us as we had a lot of personal input. Jennifer had asked us to fill in a questionnaire about the two of us, how we met and why we loved each other and brought it all together in a very moving ceremony. I had two of my dearest friends Bryony and Nat do a reading which they very kindly wrote for us and was touching to the point of tears. Tom’s friend Darren also read a reading about Relativity from Albert Einstein which was beautiful.

Finding your dream location has got a lot easier!

If you have ever dreamt of having your ceremony in a marquee, by a lake, in a tipi, in a castle, or in just about any location, and you thought it wasn’t possible…well, think again – you now can!

You don’t have to be restricted to searching through a list of (sometimes very overused and standard) licensed venues; you now have the freedom to have your dream ceremony, in your ideal location. You just have to do a few simple things differently with these few steps:

1. Choose a Celebrant led service

Wedding Celebrants offer you the chance to have your wedding ceremony without restrictions on content or location. Each ceremony is individually crafted to you and can take place wherever you choose.

We, at Tailor Made Ceremonies, offer an initial consultation to discuss your requirements.  We will talk you through your options and help you design a service that can be as traditional or modern as you like. It’s your ceremony at the end of the day and it should reflect you as a couple. You will still be pronounced husband and wife, say your vows and exchange rings, and you can have limitless options such as readings, songs, religious content, traditions etc.

You can include anything in your service, as there are no restrictions at all on content.

2. Find your dream venue

Get excited. You now have the freedom of choice of location. The options are now endless! You can find a village hall, a lakeside, on a mountain, at the beach or even in a castle. Wherever your ideal location is, you can now have your wedding ceremony. Quite often, our couples choose somewhere that has significance for them.

Nothing standard or ‘overused’; It’s your unique commitment and the words and venue should reflect that.

3. Get the legal part done

This is the simple part. To legally marry in the UK, you have to register your intent at the registry office and simply pop along to your local registry office (appointments etc are of course needed) and sign the legal paperwork. There is no need to dress up, exchange rings, say vows or anything that would make it feel like an actual ceremony. You can wear jeans, take just 2 witnesses (these can even be the staff at the office!) and as long as you say one particular sentence and sign in the right place you are then legally married! No need to tell anyone about this section, it’s not ceremonial, just the signing of papers.

4. Make a plan

Remember if you are thinking of having your ceremony outside, you cannot always guarantee the weather in the UK, so be mindful of having a back up plan. Consider hiring a marquee or have a room to hold the ceremony in should it rain.

**Have your ideal wedding ceremony ‘Tailor Made’**

Nowadays the sky really is the limit on venue choice. You no longer have to be restricted to licensed venues and standard services. You can have a tailor made Wedding Ceremony, unique to you as a couple, in the location of your choice.