“Outdoor Weddings: The Pros and Cons You Need to Know”
With the current UK wedding laws dating back to 1836, couples who want to marry in a place of their own choosing, along with many venues and suppliers to the wedding industry, are still waiting to hear the government's final discussion on the Law Commission review of outdoor weddings in the UK, which was submitted to the government in July 2022, ( read their full report)
What will it mean for UK couples should the bill be proposed and passed by the government?
Currently, all couples who choose to marry outside of a church need to meet certain requirements to make sure their marriage is legal. You must marry at a venue which is licensed to hold civil weddings and civil partnerships. ( Full list of approved premises in England & Wales )
The law reform, The Marriages and Civil Partnerships: Approved Premises Amendment, was admitted into law on 6th April 2022. Whilst not where many would like it to be it definitely is an improvement for many choosing a less formal setting to say their marriage vows.
As of the time of writing, 13/10/2023, couples can now get married anywhere on the grounds of approved premises. They no longer are required to take their vows under a fixed structure whilst guests sit outside, making it a much more intermate and inclusive moment. The area must have been assessed to be seemly and dignified. This law does not extend to any religious or non-approved setting. If you wish to marry at a non-approved venue or setting you will still need to have a legally binding wedding ceremony beforehand and then have a blessing or ceremony of your choice at your chosen venue.
This amendment does however give couples a much greater scope on getting much closer to the type and style of wedding they are looking for.
We have put together a short list of the pros and cons you need to be aware of for those getting married in the great outdoors!
PRO'S
A natural, blank canvas
Work with the natural setting. Take inspiration from the setting around you. After all, you picked it for a reason!
More budget friendly
If you are looking to keep the budget in check without losing out on all the elements you want, then an outdoor wedding venue might be for you. As these venues are often cheaper, especially if you go for a midweek wedding, there is more left in the budget for all the things you want on your big day.
Natural decorations and light
Natural light. What's not to love? It's complimentary to the complexation and great for those all-important wedding photos.
It’s so romantic!
You get to pick where you say you do within the boundary of your chosen wedding venue. Pick a space you both truly love and speaks to who you are. As night falls fill your venue with twinkly lights, lanterns and candles. Let love shine!
Child Friendly
Let the kids run free! Why not hire a creche service for the day? With plenty of outdoor space, you can hire plenty of outdoor games and set up activities to keep them busy all day long. Our large emperor bell tent can be fully kitted out as an amazing area for your little ones. Check out our website for more details.
Choose your theme.
Love a theme, this is your chance to shine! Festival, Boho, fairground, rustic. You get to decide and have fun doing it. Let your imagination run wild.
Wedding and guest accommodation on sight, no need for cars and taxis. Once you're there, you’re there!
We love this one at Fieldbartentsandevents.co.uk. Bell tent accommodation is amazing. It’s stylish, flexible and can sleep as many people as you need. Most bell tent hire companies will have a wedding bell for the happy couple. The style of our bell tents can be tailored to suit your style. With one of our packages to suit all budgets and an online booking system so guests can book their wedding night accommodation directly with us at Field Bar Tents and event’s, we’ve got you covered.
Flexible Catering options
Fancy a pig roast, graze boards, pizza or a more formal sit-down option? All of these are open to you at an outdoor venue. Many couples chose a sit-down wedding breakfast and a food truck, pizza or pig roast for the evening.
Great for the less formal couples
If a less structured day is more what you are looking for then an outdoor wedding is perfect and no less special. You decide the dress code, style and aesthetics of your day.
Pet friendly
To us, no wedding is complete with four-legged friends. Bear in mind that you will need someone to watch over the dogs, and keep them safe, fed and watered. Consider hiring a dog-sitting service for the day. Limiting the dogs to the immediate family is also a good idea, dogs running loose and out of control is not what you want! You will also need a cool place for the dogs to stay if it’s hot or raining heavily.
Bride embracing the inclement weather as a stunning photo opportunity
CONS
The good old British weather!
It's the UK and the weather is what we do! If you have picked an outdoor wedding, you will likely be more than prepared that the day may not be dry. With that in mind, if the worst should happen embrace it! Be prepared for the rain to fall! Have wellies and umbrellas at the ready, blankets and plenty of hot drinks to hand.
It is always best to have an alternative, indoor space by way of a building, marquee or tipi to move the ceremony into should it be more than a little rain! Make sure you talk through the chance of rain with all your venues and suppliers and be confident that they can carry on regardless.
May Not be suitable for elderly relatives and guests?
As fields and other outdoor spaces may not be on even ground or be a distance from the parking, they may not be suitable for the elderly, disabled or young. Consider hiring a buggy to transport people around your venue site. But again, wet weather may cause issues here.
Takes more planning for the unknown
Although the wedding day may be more laid back and simple than an indoor venue you will likely have to plan more for an outdoor wedding. Planning for different elements you can’t control on the day will add a layer of stress. But don’t let this put you off. Outdoor weddings are hard to beat. Consider a wedding planner with experience in outdoor weddings. Check out sites like Hitched, or Bridebook to find a planner near you.
Guests with allergies may struggle.
As the pollen season has grown over the last 20 years consider any issues your guests might have. Marring in a field next to rape seed could spell disaster! Whilst you can’t plan for everyone if the mother of the bride or groom has raging hay fever, and her being there is crucial to your wedding day and future marital bliss, inside venues may be the better option! Keep a good supply of tissues, antihistamine tablets and shaded areas.
Not suitable for winter months
Outdoor weddings are best if done from April to October. Any later is pushing it weather-wise. July has both low rainfall and is a warmer month. April is a surprisingly dry month but not as warm as July! Bear in mind that when looking for venues try and view them at the same time of year as you intend to marry. This way you will get a true picture of what the venue will look like when you tie the knot. Walking through a woodland carpeted in bluebells in May looks stunning but they won’t be there in late June.
Lack of amenities
Depending on your venue you may need to plan to hire in amenities. There are some amazing options out there. Nomadic washrooms are a great place to start. If they don’t cover your area they are a great inspiration and should give you some ideas about what’s out there. If using bell tents or other forms over overnight accommodation washrooms with a shower option are a must.
Catering can be in the form of a food truck, or large picnic or ask your venue if they have a list of caterers who can set up a catering tent Onsight. There are many great catering companies that take outdoor venues in their stride.
Ultimately, whether to have an outdoor wedding in the UK is a personal decision that depends on your preferences, budget, and priorities. While outdoor weddings offer a unique and memorable experience, they also come with their own set of challenges. By weighing the pros and cons carefully and planning, you can ensure that your special day has all the joy you worked hard to plan for and hopefully, no dramas!
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