I need advice for an outside wedding/ reception!!!!

I think having an outdoor reception is a wonderful idea. I think you should have the whole thing outside but what you could do for when the party starts jumping you can have some seating inside for those people who may not want to be directly in the line of music and dancing. If your family is anything like mine most of them will be on the dance floor most of the night but there will probably be those few stragglers that will wiggle their way out of it. If you are having a buffet you could also have the food set up in doors and then everyone makes there way back outside to the tables to eat. hope this helps Good luck!

I can only add that you should have a backup plan due to weather. If it rains, and I hope for your sake it doesn't, everyone will want to be inside, and that includes having your ceremony inside as well.

My absolute favorite reception setting is a tent outside. If you can swing it...go for it! It's so much more of an open feeling...ball rooms can get stuffy.

I agree with Dreameventsbycourtney. To jump start it, you could arrange to have one room (inside) set up for appetizers with pub tables and have another ajoining room set up as a lounge also with pub tables. So if guest wanted to, they can mingle there

We've done many successful indoor/outdoor receptions. Just make sure that whoever is doing your sound puts one speaker inside, but keeps it down just enough so those inside can hear, and then the party can be outside with the speakers out there louder for getting the party going. Those that don't feel like "partying" can go inside and sit at the tables, but still hear the announcements and what's going on. That way, they still feel like they're a part of the party.

We've even done outdoor receptions in the freezing cold, and it was fine! They had a tent/tarp, with outdoor heaters. All was well!

As long as you plan for bad weather, you'll be fine!

I was just thinking about what special day designs said and a tent would be great if you can afford it. But I recently had a bride who was soooo set on an outdoor reception ( and it was planned to rain and be cold windy) and the day of she went to look at the indoor option and said absolutely not. So as her planner I planned for the worst. I went out and bought umbrellas and she had made blankets because they had a fire pit at the site (gorgeous) and It just so happened I found umbrellas that matched the colors of the wedding I set them out for the guest to take. Turns out we didn't need them at all. But the guests actually loved the idea.

This sounds kinda like our site. We are having the cocktail hour in the house and gardens. Then the dinner and dancing will be in a large tent in the back. I like the idea of having plenty of space for the guests to mingle and if they want a calmer setting durring the dancing they can head into the house and relax. Plus if it rains we're not stuck being in the tent the whole time. We can still go into the house so it won't be too horrible.

Ghia, as a planner my first thought for anyone have an outdoor event is what is the inclement weather plan. Check with the venue to see if they even offer a "rain call" option. Like the others rain or shine my advice is to spend the money on a tent. The installers will probaly deliver atleast a day before if not 2 day and that atleasts protects the ground from being "muddy" in case it may shower before the wedding. Being an August bride, you also want a tent just because the weather will be warm and you do not want your guest to "bake" in the sun.

You have always have use the house for you cocktails or small gathering areas where some guests may want to escape for a quieter place to mingle.

P.S.Careful about having your cake outdoors in the heat :-)

Good points!!! I do not think I can afford a tent but I will definitely make a plan for bad weather. I have access to the entire house so we can head inside if it rains. August is a warmer month so this is why I wanted a "sunset" weather so they won't back. I want to also purchase fans fore the guests. I want the reception to start when it gets dark out. The venue has Christmas lights on the trees so it should be beautiful! I like the idea of having some seating inside for those who do not want to dance, etc... Keep the advice coming!!!!!!!!!!

PS: Should the buffet be inside or outside. I am a little worried about people carrying their plates from the inside to the outside....

I am also having my wedding in August in the evening. I live in Las Vegas so it will definately be 'warmer'! I am having everything outside at our home. My house is really small but we have a huge yard! I am having buffet and it will be outside. I figure it will be evening and there will be plenty of chairs so I think it will be ok. My DJ will will playing outside and we are setting up a temporary dance floor too! My one concern is a bathroom! I hate the thought of a port a potty but don't think my one small bathroom will cut it!

Personally, I would keep the food inside. It will be easier for whoever is catering, and it will keep it away from the elements (and bugs!). But if weather permits, I would definitely set up the dining tables outside. Your guest will be just fine carrying their plates from inside out (just have someone keep an eye out for seniors, children or others who may need assistance). I would also keep the cake indoors (again, to keep it away from the elements), but, if possible, move it outside just in time for the cutting so that everyone will have room to view it! If moving it seems a but too risky, then maybe you can just keep it outside under some sort of shelter. Good luck, it sounds like your day is going to be beautiful!

I don' know how the venue is laid out- but I'd go for food inside, seating outside- under a tent if you can afford it.

I'm getting married at a botanical garden, and really I'd like to have the reception inside, just so I don't have to worry about a bug landing in anything- but the only option is to have the reception under tents.

Talk to the venue and see if they have tents- if not, see if they can refer you to a company that rents them.

But I think if there is a door that opens close to where the seating outside would be- it should flow just fine.

Make sure your caterer knows what you're planning to do, either inside or outside, some of them charge more if the reception is outside. Plus- if it's outside, they could possibly take more measures to cover the food.

I spoke with the caterer today and he says the food would be ok either inside or outside. However, we will probably do it all outside because the main house is not large enough for 150 hungry people. People have food buffets outdoors all the time so the bug thing is not too big of a deal. The caterer will take the necessary steps to keep the food bug-free! Eating as the sun goes down will help with that as well. The caterer and I will meet at the venue to see where the food will go, etc... I am super excited!!!

Outdoor weddings are great and everyone worries first about rain which you have to consider no doubt. You also have to take into consideration heat, bugs, mosquitos. Make sure your food can stay at the proper temperatures hot or cold and mosquito repellant, candles etc that will protect your guests, nothing worse than to get eaten alive by mosquitos. Birds, squirrels can also cause you problems. Just think about all of the natural outdoor elements and prepare for them and you and your guests should have a great time. But always have a backup plan!

I think u should an outside wedding, n have a rain plan...

Some bug repellent might be a good "favor". I don't know what part of the country you are in but those little critters seem to come alive at sunset.