5 things to consider if you're planning an outdoor wedding in Vancouver

Outdoor weddings are among some of the most beautiful, and when you live in a picturesque city like Vancouver, there are so many ways to incorporate natural surroundings into your big day. On the flip side, the problem with living in a city like Vancouver is that rain is a possibility on almost any day of the year. And so, before you plan your dream outdoor nuptials, there are a few things you should probably consider.

1. Have a rain plan

If your ceremony or reception are planned for a location without any cover, you should have a rain plan in place. Whether you watch the forecast a week out and have tents on standby or there’s a building nearby that you can use instead, make sure you have a plan that’s well thought out, just in case. Your rain plan may involve a different floorplan due to space constraints or configuration, in which case you’ll need a backup seating chart on hand. This may seem like a lot of unnecessary work, but you’ll be so glad you did it if ‘Plan B’ becomes a reality.

2. Like your rain plan

Having a rain plan is one thing, but if you don’t like your rain plan, you might end up unhappy. Obviously, we always hope that the weather cooperates and that the wedding can proceed as planned, but if you have to move into a backup space, we recommend choosing an option that you’re happy with, or at least one that you don’t hate. Keep in mind that there will be lots of photos taken in that space and it’s the space you will spend your day in. It should be something that you won’t look back on with disdain.

3. Keep your guests warm

Even during the summer months, once that sun goes down it can get pretty chilly, especially for the girls in sleeveless dresses. Consider reminding guests to bring a sweater or jacket so that they don’t freeze. We also suggest adding a few stand-up heaters and a basket of blankets for guests to grab as needed.

4. Keep the bugs at bay

There are few things more annoying than sitting down to eat dinner, only to be attacked by mosquitoes. Be sure to include a few bug spray stations throughout your wedding site so that your guests can dance the night away with their legs in tact.

5. Know the noise restrictions

If your venue is in the middle of nowhere, there’s no need to worry about this one, but if you’re planning on blasting the tunes into the wee hours and there are houses a stone’s throw away, you’ll need to consider the noise restrictions. We advise looking into this one so that you know when things need to be shut down and you don’t end up having to end the party unexpectedly.