* When a bride is selecting an outdoor location
for her wedding, what do you suggest to her regarding a bad weather
back up plan?
There
are many lovely outdoor wedding locations - beach
weddings, lake
front weddings, forest weddings, mountain weddings, garden weddings...the
options are endless! With any outdoor wedding, it is vital that the
bride and groom work with their coordinator or wedding company to establish
a backup plan in the event of bad weather. If the wedding location is
on the grounds of a hotel or inn, coordinate ahead of time to have a
banquet room ready for you in the event of inclement weather. This option
may cost a little more, but it will save you worry and potential heartache
later! Another option is to plan to have only the ceremony outdoors
and the reception inside (or inside with an outside portion).
In the event of inclement weather, you can simply hold the entire event
in the room you planned to have the reception in - without incurring
extra costs! This is by far the most "secure" and least expensive
way of having an outdoor wedding, and one of the easier backup plans.
If your outdoor wedding will be held in an area with no building nearby
(or a building too small to hold your guests), such as in a forest clearing
or in the garden of a private estate, consider using a tent for the
reception.
In the event of bad weather, you can move the ceremony and reception
into the tent. Be sure the tent is water tight and sturdy! Whatever
backup plan you select, be sure you tell ALL of your wedding vendors
(especially those that require lighting and electricity) of your plan
ahead of time. They may bring up alternate concerns you have not thought
of and can help you solidify a great backup plan. After all, your wedding
vendors are professionals, and have likely had experience with this
sort of thing before.
* Can you give us an example of a wedding you've
planned which had to be relocated due to weather and how you worked
with the indoor option to create a memorable event?
Last
January we had an intimate outdoor wedding planned for approximately
55 guests. The bride had her heart set on an outdoor wedding in the
mountains in the winter! She loved the lakeview and wanted to bring
heaters outside so all could enjoy the atmosphere. That morning it began
snowing - and did not stop until late that night! This was a destination
wedding so most of the guests were already in accommodations nearby.
The bride and groom did not let this spoil their day! They had many
gorgeous photos taken outside in the snow, the guests loved it, and
everyone enjoyed a lovely ceremony and reception inside with a snowy
lake as a backdrop. Both fireplaces were roaring and the beverages flowed.
The Lake
Arrowhead Weddings staff had a job to do! We had to figure out what
to do with all the guests while we moved all the ceremony seats (that
were supposed to be outside) after the ceremony to make room for the
reception dinner seating and tables! We asked everyone to adjourn to
the great room for appetizers (not part of the original plan) while
we speedily setup for the reception - the guests didn't even know this
wasn't the original plan! Given that the bride had purchased one of
our outdoor wedding packages, she didn't even have to worry about plan
B. We simply asked her if she liked our plan (which we discussed with
her well before the wedding day) and that, in the event of inclement
weather, we would just implement it without further distracting her
on her wedding day. She was able to sit back and enjoy her day without
worrying about what to do about the weather and where to put her guests.
* What's your most popular outdoor venue? What makes that location
especially magical for couples?
Our
most popular outdoor wedding
package is our All Inclusive Resort Wedding Package. This package
features an exquisite lake front venue at a well-appointed full service
resort hotel. Couples can exchange vows on an elegant stage overlooking
Lake
Arrowhead, surrounded by towering trees and blue sky. Couples may
also have an intimate wedding poolside with views of the lake in the
background. There are numerous reception banquet rooms to choose from,
and a variety of wedding package options. The grand Arrowhead Ballroom,
with its stunning crystal chandeliers and oak and brass detailing, makes
for an elegant reception. The warm wood tones, mirrored walls, and glass
doors that open to an outdoor terrace with a fabulous view of Lake Arrowhead,
make the Lakeview Terrace Room a very popular reception choice. This
all inclusive wedding package features a stunning atmosphere of blue
skies, towering trees, mild temperatures and a pristine alpine lake.
Add to that the fact that the wedding packages are truly all inclusive
(just bring the dress and rings!) and you have an equation for the "perfect,"
stress-free wedding day!
* What special advice do you have for outdoor brides in regard
to dress, veils, makeup?
If you are planning an outdoor
wedding in the summer, and you think it will be hot - wear a light
gown so that you do not overheat and sweat unnecessarily (not becoming
in photographs). If your dress does have a train, be sure to consider
what the ground you will be walking over is like. Is it dirt that will
turn your train brown? Is it grass? Is the train heavy enough to where
the grass might stain it? Using an aisle runner can help with this,
but, in a windy outdoor setting, if not secured, the runner will come
loose. Be sure to solidly secure your aisle runner before the ceremony
if your location is windy. Also, consider consulting a professional
makeup artist and your photographer about your makeup plans. The shimmer
powder that is so popular today can, if applied too liberally, and photographed
in sunlight, produce a slight glare in your photographs.
You will also want to use makeup that holds up nicely, even if you do
sweat (or "glow") a little. You want you makeup to hold up
well during the outdoor sunlit ceremony, and through the reception,
without looking caked on or streaking. If your outdoor location may
be slightly windy, opt for a veil that can be secured behind your head
before you walk down the aisle (or don't wear one at all). You do not
want your veil floating in front of your face and moving about during
the ceremony. A bride (or officiate or bridesmaid or groom) swatting
at and moving your veil around during the ceremony does not make for
elegant photographs.
* Do you have any special advice for brides which
take a boat wedding package in regard to dress, shoes, decorations?
For
those brides having a boat
wedding, be sure to plan accordingly. It is a good idea to bring
along some motion-sickness medication (available over-the-counter),
or take some ahead of time if you have a tendency to be affected by
repeated motion. If the wedding will be proceeding into the night, be
sure to bring a shawl or other decorative piece to help keep you warm.
The air is typically colder over water, and as night falls, you may
get chilly. You can have an informal or formal wedding on a boat, depending
on the time of day and the decor and style of the boat. For more informal
weddings during the daytime you may opt for a gown with a shorter train
and veil.
For more formal evening weddings, you may choose to wear a more embellished
gown with a longer train (be sure the train bustles well for ease of
dancing later on) and a longer veil. Whatever style your dress, wear
shoes that have the look you want, but that are also comfortable! You
will be walking and dancing most of the reception. Another option is
to have only the ceremony or only the reception on the boat, while having
the remainder of the wedding at your favorite hotel, inn or country
club.
Article By Michelle O'Connor
Lake Arrowhead Weddings - Outdoor
Wedding Packages
