Bugs at outdoor wedding

Backyard meaning your private property? If not you can ask your venue what they can do. I appreciate your concerns because this is honestly the worst thing about outdoor weddings. So far you've got good ideas.

You could hire a company to come and spray. I have a friend who does this a few times a season around her pool. Tape dryer sheets to the bottom of your guests chairs, citronella candles and fans to blow them away.

We use a mosquito spraying service. They come every 3 weeks. If they spray and we find that in between services there are still mosquitoes they come out again at no charge. We love them. Been doing it for over a year and no mosquitoes.

Fans are a great idea. Also, definitely ensure the venue is sprayed for mosquitoes in particular before your wedding. We went to an outdoor wedding last year and the venue didn't believe in spraying toxins. There were so many bugs, the cake was inedible (unless you wanted something extra in your frosting) and people left early from the mosquitoes and gnats flying in your drinks. I had over 15 mosquito bites, despite covering myself (and my sort of expensive dress) in bug spray. People still talk about it, and not in a good way

I've heard lemongrass keeps away bugs, maybe have pots of it sitting around?

Does off brand still make those bug spray fans? If so, keeping those by tables in addition to the citronella candles might not be a bad idea. I've also heard peppermint spray can help. Maybe in any bathroom baskets you have (if you do) have anti-itch cream in case anyone does get bit

ETA grammar/punctuation (sorry was on mobile before)

I went to an outdoor wedding in GA in July. The gnats/blackflies were terrible. They had industrial fans in each corner of the tent which helped if you were standing next to them. They sprayed the area for bugs before the event. The thing that I found that was the most helpful were those little handheld battery powered fans. We grabbed some at the local store after finding how bad they were at the rehearsal. They at least kept the bugs away from your face!

Maybe have some available as favors?

If you can have a company come out and spray the property. You don't want bugs or anything getting in drinks or food.

I don't know, I think anytime this is a serious consideration, everything needs to be moved indoors. The last thing I want when I'm all dressed up at a wedding is a bracelet bug spray.

I agree Elizabeth. Reading about pp story about a handheld fan to protect your face... that would be too much.

We've hired a pest control/lawn company now to treat our yard... we will use yard guard on the morning of-

ETA- by late July in this area evenings start to cool a bit so generally it's not as bad- but we will also have citronella torches- candles- bon fire (this will be a bit away from the main set up)--- and I am going to put the bite cream in the bathroom! Thanks @becky c