Having an outdoor wedding is a dream of many brides, but many factors may impact your big day, especially if you are getting married in Texas. These 7 tips for planning an outdoor wedding in Texas will help you plan a spectacular celebration and feel prepared for any obstacles that may come your way.
Without a doubt, outdoor weddings are dreamy! There is something so romantic and beautiful about letting the scenery of the outdoors be the backdrop for your special day. Aesthetically, outdoor weddings produce some of the most beautiful wedding images I’ve ever seen. Whether you want to have your wedding at the beach, in the botanical gardens, or even on a hilltop, Texas offers many beautiful options for your outdoor wedding ceremony and reception.
As beautiful as outdoor weddings can be, planning an outdoor wedding in Texas is not for the weak! It can be a downright logistical nightmare. For starters, you need to consider the weather on your wedding day. All of your efforts to plan a beautiful outside wedding will go down the drain (literally) if it suddenly rains, and you’re left without any backup plans. But if your heart is set on having a gorgeous outdoor wedding, fret not because we’ve come up with several ways to battle the weather and other unforeseen outdoor elements that may threaten to ruin your wedding vision.
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1. Make Sure You Come Up with a “Plan B”
It may never rain in southern California (extra points if you get the song reference!), but this is Texas! When planning an outdoor wedding in Texas (or anywhere in the country for that matter), you MUST have a backup plan in case of inclement weather. There is a reason that this is at the top of my list of tips. Between heat waves, cold fronts, hurricanes, floods, and baseball-size critters, Texas is no place to just wing it. Thus, having a “Plan B” is a must if you want your outdoor wedding to succeed.
What If It Rains on Your Outdoor Wedding?
Rain is the number 1 concern for brides planning an outdoor wedding. The ideal solution to this common wedding concern would be to choose a venue that has an indoor area or areas where your wedding ceremony and reception can take place in case of inclement weather. If you plan to have an outdoor wedding ceremony and an indoor wedding reception, and the weather precludes you from going outside, you can see if the venue has an indoor space to hold your wedding ceremony. Having an indoor/outdoor venue can save you a lot of stress when planning your outdoor wedding.
Alternatively, you could use the indoor reception area for your wedding ceremony. Reception tables can be scooted to the back of the room to create a dedicated space for the wedding ceremony. Or you could leave the tables in place with guests seated at their designated places and have the ceremony in an open space, such as the dance floor. Make sure that you have discussed this wedding backup plan with your wedding coordinator and venue coordinators so that they are aware and can act quickly if there is any sign of rain on your wedding day.
Another option is a tent to protect your outdoor wedding from the weather. However, this solution is only suitable for light to moderate rain storms. A heavy rain could soak the ground underneath, leaving guests with soggy and muddy shoes. No one wants uncomfortable guests on their wedding day! Ensure any tent you rent or buy is sturdy so it won’t flip over and has thick and weighted sides.
Rain is never pleasant on your wedding day, but with a little pre-planning, the presence of rain does not have to ruin your big day.
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2. Choose the Best Time of the Year
Rain isn’t the only inclement weather that could ruin your wedding day. This is a newsflash to no one from the state, but Texas can get really hot! And in certain areas, it can also get very cold. You will want to choose a date and a time for your outdoor wedding where the temperature won’t have your guests melting in the sun or freezing their bums off.
What Is the Best Time of Year for an Outdoor Wedding in Texas?
When holding an outdoor wedding in Texas, it’s best to schedule it during the spring months of March and April and in the fall months of October and November. These times of the year provide ideal temperatures (65 to 80 F) for an outdoor wedding. You can also choose to get married in January because the winter months are usually mild in Texas (depending on your location). Additionally, few social events occur in January, allowing you to score discounts from wedding suppliers. Your guests (and your hair and makeup) will thank you for choosing an optimal time of year for your outdoor wedding.
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3. Make Sure That Your Outdoor Wedding is Not Too Hot to Handle
Even when choosing an ideal time to have your outdoor wedding in Texas, you must be prepared for unseasonable weather changes.
How Hot Is Too Hot for an Outdoor Wedding in Texas?
If a heat wave swoops in and the temperature reaches 80 F or higher, it may be uncomfortable for guests. But you don’t have to let unplanned weather changes ruin your outdoor wedding dreams. Be prepared with the following tips for having an outdoor wedding during a warmer month in Texas:
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4. Make Sure That Your Outdoor Wedding is not Too Cold to Hold
Just as a wedding could be too hot, it can also be too cold! If a cold front cools down your plans for your outdoor wedding in Texas, you can take a few steps to make you and your guests comfortable for the big day.
How Cold Is Too Cold For an Outdoor Wedding in Texas?
Wedding planners caution that temperatures below 65 F are too cold for an outside wedding in Texas. Remember that even though the temperature may seem comfortable on paper, you must also consider the wind chill on your wedding day. Fortunately, you can keep your wedding party and guests warm by offering complimentary wraps or shawls to shield them from the cold. This is a nice touch that will keep everyone cozy and comfortable on your wedding day. In addition, consider renting or buying heat lamps so that your guests can dine and dance in comfort.
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5. Gone with the Wind
Wind on your wedding day is something that many brides don’t think about. The wind can affect your hair, your decorations, and even the sound during your outdoor wedding if it is not planned for. Many outdoor weddings suffer from windy conditions. Avoid windy wedding day disasters by incorporating these tips:
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6. Keeping the Bugs Away on Your Wedding Day
Making sure that the weather isn’t too hot or too cold on your wedding day is just one element when planning for an outdoor wedding in Texas. Once you’ve addressed all weather-related issues, you’ll have to address another Texas staple–bugs! Keeping bugs away during your outdoor wedding ceremony and reception is a must as you don’t want your guests to spend most of their time swatting critters rather than focusing on the wedding ceremony, right?
How Do I Keep Flies Away From My Outdoor Wedding?
One of the easiest tactics to keep flies and other bugs away from your outdoor wedding in Texas is to place citronella candles around your entire event venue. Bug spray is also another effective tactic for keeping bugs off your skin and clothes. If you’re having an outdoor wedding and are concerned about bugs pestering your guests, you can provide individually sized bug sprays to your guests by placing them in their welcome baskets or passing them out as wedding favors before the ceremony. This is a nice added touch that will help your guests feel comfortable during your outdoor wedding.
Finally, you should also be careful when picking flowers for your outdoor wedding in Texas because some varieties attract bugs more than others. To ensure that your wedding venue is bug-free, incorporate lemon balm, lavender, citronella, and marigolds in your floral decor. These flowers repel insects and will keep your wedding venue free from them. An added bonus? They smell amazing!
How Do I Protect My Wedding Cake From Bugs Outside?
To protect your wedding cake from bugs during your outdoor wedding reception, hang fans in your tent or place the food in areas where guests will be eating. You can also light citronella candles and tiki torches where the food is served.
7. Helping Guests Prepare for Your Outdoor Wedding
A final piece of advice about planning an outdoor wedding in Texas is to inform your guests ahead of time that you’re holding the event outdoors. The sooner you give out details about your wedding, the easier it’ll be for your guests to find the right attire for your outdoor wedding.
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Planning an Outdoor Wedding in Texas May Seem Risky, But it is Worth It!
Planning an outdoor wedding in Texas is challenging, but by implementing these key planning tactics you can make it a success! If you’re eyeing to hold an outdoor wedding in Texas, bookmark this article and come back to it over the planning process to ensure you’re covering all of your bases.
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