Design vs. Disaster: How to Successfully Prepare for an Outdoor Wedding Reception
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Things happen. We all are usually pretty prepared for the fact that not everything will go exactly according to plan. There's no sense in letting little hiccups ruin your wedding day but you also need a solid contingency plan in place! Today's favorite blog post is by Genna who blogs for Chef's Market. The post lays out the reality of situations that could occur on your wedding reception and the best plans you could make to avoid them. This is a must read which why we just had to share it!
Featured Favorite Blog: Design Vs. Disaster: How to Successfully Prepare for an Outdoor Wedding Reception
Summer is the one season that will unapologetically book your calendar with weddings months in advance. Plans on the fourth of July? Canceled. Your sister’s getting married on the beach. A weekend trip to your favorite vacation spot? Sorry, you’ve got MOH duties. The wedding fever epidemic hits every year between June and September and it’s no surprise why. Summer is a gorgeous time of year to be married and it’s the perfect season to celebrate outside. So if the sunshine, fresh flowers and extra daylight have you dreaming of skipping through a field to say ‘I Do’ you’ll want to sit down and create a strategy that will keep you from falling head over heels in the mud when it starts to rain on the big day! Read on for 10 things to consider when planning for an outdoor wedding reception:
1. Pick a menu that can stand up to the heat - if you’re getting married in July and you’re going to be eating at five o’clock there’s a good chance it’s going to be hot and humid while you’re guests are standing in the buffet line, so you want to serve food that will stay fresh. Think non mayonnaise based salads and things like poached salmon that are typically served at room temperature. Rice salads, such as our Wild Rice Orzo, are a great option as well.
2. Hire a caterer who knows their way around an outdoor reception – Catering outside has a lot more logistical kinks to work out than a typical indoor reception. Make sure your caterer will not only be able to get the set up down perfectly, but will also have no problem serving foods the way they’re supposed to be served ( keeping cold foods cold and hot foods hot).
3. Have a back up plan – Plan B is never ideal, but knowing you’ve got a safety net in case Plan A falls through is comforting and will keep you from stressing out if you have to switch gears on your wedding day and set the reception up inside the nearest building. Have a go to list of who will move what, how you’ll rearrange the tables, chairs, decor and food in case of emergency.
4. Rent a tent or have one on hold – if you’re banking on clear skies and have skipped #3 then you’re pretty much guaranteed to have nature tease you with rain, wind and whatever else she can come up with. OK, maybe that sounds harsh but haven’t you ever heard of Murphy’s Law??? The point here, is that it’s smart to at least have a tent on hold in case inclement weather does show up…and if it doesn’t? Well, spend the night dancing under the stars!
5. Provide lighting for the catering tent/food prep area – This sounds so simple, but it’s because it seems so obvious that many people forget until it’s too dark to see anything and you have servers dropping dishes. Make sure that any space where your caterer will be unloading/packing up the food is well lit.
6. Keep bottled water on hand – The last thing you want on your wedding day is for your grandmother to get heatstroke…bottled water is an easy way to make sure your guests stay cool and have as much fun at your reception as you had planning it. You can even make sure that necessary items like bottled water get their own personalized spin by creating monogrammed labels to fit around the bottles.
7. Beverage stations – Much like the bottled water, a beverage station will ensure that your guests have something cool to sip on while they eat dinner, mingle with friends and enjoy the reception. Beverage stations are perfect for an outdoor reception. At Chef’s Market, we love to use large apothecary jars filled with different colored lemonades and teas. You can place flower wreaths around the jars or add sliced fruit to give the drinks more color and flavor!
8. Air Conditioning/Fans are important – Whether you’re under a tent or under the sky, bring something to keep the air circulating as your reception gets underway. Rental companies often carry large industrial fans for just such occasions and if you’ve got a tent and your budget allows for it, you can actually have air conditioning set up for your celebration.
9. Bugs – It doesn’t matter where you are, if your reception will be outside you’ve got to consider the bug factor. Think about using citronella candles or providing bug spray for guests to use prior to hitting the dance floor. Another trick to keep pests away, is to wipe down tables and chairs with a wet cloth before setting them up for the reception (this will get rid of any food/drink residue that might be lingering on the surface).
10. Wind – With an outdoor reception, the first step is to accept that there will be some things you just cannot control, like the weather. You’ve got a tent on hold in case it rains right? Make sure you’ve got a plan for rain’s best friend named wind. Even with a tent, wind can sneak up under the sides and wreak havoc on table settings and food arrangements. The best way to deal with this possibility? Have decorative weights that can be placed on tables to hold everything in place. For a cute and simple DIY tutorial click here.
The bottom line when it comes to planning an outdoor wedding reception? Accept that it will be a little more challenging than a traditional ballroom or indoor venue and then go for it! If your heart’s set on having an outdoor celebration in the middle of August then there’s no question that that’s what you should have, just be a little strategic, prepare for the unexpected and enjoy your day!
Visit the Chef's Dish - the Chef's Market blog for more wonderful catering planning ideas and posts from the lovely Genna.
About the Author:
Ashley of Ashley's Bride Guide
Hey - I'm Ashley! I started AshleysBrideGuide.com to give Nashville brides, or folks planning a Nashville wedding, a local resource for inspiration and resources. Hope to see you at a bridal show soon! Happy Planning.
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Posted on July 14, 2010 |
Filed under: Advice & Planning, Cakes & Catering
1 Response to This Post
Posted on July 14, 2010 @ 5:43pm