Wedding Blog: Outdoor vs Indoor Wedding

(Photo of La Toundra Hall in Parc Jean Drapeau, Montreal)

Always dreamed of a summer wedding outside in a lush garden? Or does the thought of the humidity and chance of rain deter you against anything to do with the outdoors? Whether you have your wedding indoors or out, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option before making your choice.

The time of year, of course, plays a big role in your decision. If it's a winter wedding, opt for an indoor wedding. However, if your wedding will be in the summer, an outdoor wedding can take place in many beautiful outdoor settings, such as on the beach, by a beautiful garden, or a gorgeous backyard.

Outdoor Wedding: Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages of having an outdoor wedding include the natural beauty that is all around you. From palm trees to flowers, to gazebos, lush greenery, and sunsets, nature is your breathtaking décor, which can save you money on flowers and other decorating expenses.

Besides saving on décor, you will save on rental fees for a hall or any inside venue. Public beaches, gardens, and parks do not charge a fee so the only fee you would incur is the minister or priest. This casual approach also allows you to skip the pricey formal attire. You can wear a simple sundress, if you’d like, thus saving more money.

Another advantage is that you can choose whatever theme you’d like. Some churches can be very strict and might not allow you to be creative and dress them up with fun themes, but when you're outdoors, you have greater freedom to do whatever you'd like. Outdoor weddings also allow your guests to feel more relaxed because it's a fun, casual environment, rather than a stuffy and formal place. Having lots of space for movement is more comfortable for them as well.

Of course, one must also consider the disadvantages of an outdoor wedding. The biggest disadvantage is Mother Nature’s power over the weather. Because weather is so unpredictable, this can be a cause for concern. Sometimes, the weather forecast may call for sunny and clear skies, but come the day of your wedding, the exact opposite might be true. This is when a back-up plan is vital. It's this back-up plant that can increase the budget, as booking a room or a tent for your Plan B will entail costs, especially in the case of booking a tent. The worst-case scenario is that you pay to have the tent installed and then have a gorgeous sunny day and lose your deposit or the entire amount.

Another thing to think about is humidity. Hair might not cooperate in humid weather, makeup can be runny, and seasonal allergies can bother you or your guests. Also, make sure your priest or officiant is willing to marry you at your venue, since many Catholic priests will not perform marriage ceremonies outside of the church.

Indoor Wedding: Advantages & Disadvantages
If you love the look of an outdoor wedding, but don’t want the stress of possible rain, you can create the outdoor look inside as well. For one client, I rented a venue encased in windows and this allowed everyone to feel like they were right in the middle of the natural beauty outdoors, while still inside, saving my client the stress of possible rain or need for a Plan B. {See photo above.)

The advantages of having your wedding indoors is the year-round aspect. Whether your wedding is during the winter, spring, summer, or fall, there is no issue with weather. There are so many options for an indoor wedding, from historic buildings, stunning hotel banquet rooms, luxurious reception halls to indoor greenhouses, just to name a few.

The opportunity of having an "off-season" wedding in an indoor venue is also a plus, as hosting a wedding when venues are not busy may save you some money by the discounts that these venues can offer during their quiet season. Golf clubs, for example, welcome events with open arms and sometimes reduce their rental rates and offer special wedding packages to bring in some business during their off-season.

Lighting is a great way of creating ambiance at a wedding and indoor venues allow you to maximize its effect, creating the perfect mood and allowing you to have the exact lighting you desire. Indoor weddings also mean better climate control.

Before making your choice on whether you prefer an indoor or outdoor wedding, consider all the pros and cons of each option and see what works for you.

Written by Rita Wong, Rita Wong Events http://www.ritawongevents.com

Rita Wong is a wedding and events planner and owner of Rita Wong Events. Based in Montreal, Rita also plans many weddings every year for brides living in Toronto and abroad. She is a dedicated follower of new trends and her goal is to give each bride a wedding that is fresh, unique, and a personal reflection of who they are. She now shares her professional insights with slice.ca.

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