Do you want to get married outside? A lot of people do. I would, if I weren't so worried about unpredictable weather changing everything at the last second. I'm not a huge fan of things not going according to plan. I can handle it well, but I'd rather avoid the possibility, of course--as anyone would. So you can settle for an inside wedding somewhere...or you can have a contingency plan.

In the Army we have a contingency plan for any mission we plan, because in combat, as in anything, circumstances can change dramatically and quickly, and we need to have already prepared for that eventuality. In the case of outdoor weddings, there are three major factors that can ruin a ceremony: weather, wildlife, and walking. (I'm a sucker for alliteration.)

Weather: Rain is usually the major concern. If you live in a place where you know it's prone to rain (I'm looking at you, Seattle and London), you know the risk. If you were planning to have a tent set up for the reception, be prepared to get it up for the ceremony so you can keep everyone undercover. Or consider finding a venue with picnic shelters or a gazebo, so you can move under cover while maintaining the lovely outside view. Ask family members to bring tarps to erect quickly, just in case.

Heat and wind are also major factors. Being too hot or too cold will ruin a guest's experience and completely distract them from the ceremony. If you live somewhere hot, provide fans, sunglasses, a station to apply sunscreen, or refreshing wet towels to make them more comfortable. If it's windy, consider providing pashminas or blankets. Also consider that wind can make it very hard to hear the ceremony--which, obviously, they're all eager to witness. Bring a sound system to make sure everyone can hear your heartfelt vows.

If the weather becomes inclement, you're probably going to have to go inside. Have a backup plan for that. Stage yourselves near a building so that you can run to safety--and save everyone's dress clothes--if the weather suddenly goes bad. But hey--if nothing else, you can get some great photos!

Wildlife: If there's one thing that irks people above anything else, it's bugs. If your lakeside venue has mosquitoes, or your farm wedding has beehives, or, for some reason, you're in cougar country, take precautions to make the day better for everyone. Burn special candles outside your ceremony area to keep bugs out. Advise your guests not to wear meat dresses if you're in the woods. You know how it is.

Walking: The most common complaint I hear about outdoor weddings is that there is too much walking. I understand you want your wedding to feel authentically outdoors and away from civilization. But you need to keep in mind that you have friends in stilettos and grandparents shuffling on canes. No one wants to walk for ten minutes to your lovely garden; no one wants their heels to aerate the entire golf course; and certainly, no one wants to hunt for restrooms or cocktails.

Make life easier; supply transportation for guests who need it, be it buses, trolleys, or golf carts. Provide paths that go as close as possible to the ceremony seating, and clear signage so everyone knows where they're going. Let your guests know beforehand that you'll be on grass, so they should dress appropriately, but consider providing flip-flops or heel caps for the ceremony. Best of all, walk through the whole thing yourself beforehand so you know it's doable--and to practice. The last thing you want is to fall on your face in your wedding finery!



There you have it: contingency plans for your major outdoor-ceremony troubles. Plan wisely; a little extra effort beforehand could save you a lot of trouble on your wonderful wedding day.