Top Tips for Garden Weddings

Everything you need to know about planning a garden wedding

• When selecting a garden venue, be sure to take note of what flowers are present in the garden, and when they will be blooming. This will give you ideas for colour schemes and floral arrangements. In autumn and winter you can supplement the natural blooms with potted plants in colours of your choosing.
• Be aware of where power outlets are and how far away they will be from your planned ceremony or reception spot. Be sure to organise adequate extension cords, safety switches and surge protectors, and carpet to cover any cords or joins.
• Always have a backup plan for if the weather turns bad. A marquee can work well as both a shady seating area and food service area in hot weather, and shelter from the rain, making it a wise investment. You can easily decorate it to suit your theme, and use it as a central gathering point for significant moments during the day/night, such as the speeches, cake cutting, and first dance.
• Keep bugs at bay by using citronella candles. They are much easier on the nose than insect repellent, and come in a variety of colours, so you will be able to find one that suits your theme.
• Be mindful of ground cover – if you’ve chosen a gown with a train, you don’t want it dragging along the grass and being stained! Be sure to organise carpet or other floor coverings to protect your gown
• Think in three dimensions – gardens usually have plenty of trees, bushes and branches that can be used to create an all-round effect: stringing lanterns, streamers, or flags in the trees can create a magical look. You could also erect a trellis or arches covered with ivy or flowers, or build a chuppah or other canopy to cover you and create an elegant focal point.
• Be creative – a garden wedding lends itself to beautiful colours and patterns, so don’t be afraid to embellish your occasion with beautiful items collected from your favourite stores, vintage or op shops, or from mum or grandmas collection. For example, cups of tea served in miss-matched vintage cups and saucers can look truly charming.