A Wedding in the Woods? Why, how Wonderful!
If you are planning your wedding, or even just dreaming of your perfect future wedding, unless you have a specific venue in mind, you have probably asked yourself (and Google), Where should I have my wedding ceremony? Well, with more and more people opting for an outdoor wedding these days, I thought I would share my experience as the lucky celebrant of a beautiful forest wedding in the summer of 2022.
To have an outdoor wedding, one thing that is super important to check out is who, if anyone, owns the land you want to use. It may be that you have to pay to use an outdoor space if it is privately owned land, but you would be surprised at how many options you have when it comes to free public spaces. Great news if you are trying to keep costs to a minimum. In England, a legal ceremony needs to be held in a ‘fixed and permanent structure’; however, if you have chosen to have a celebrant led wedding, doing the ‘legal stuff’ separately, that rule does not apply to you. The world is your wedding venue.
Now, not only was this wedding in a forest, it was also in Canada. Yes, yes, I know how amazingly lucky I was to have been chosen by the bride and groom as their celebrant. When that request came through, there was no way I was turning it down! Off I flew to Ontario and was whisked away to Ganaraska Forest, about an hour east of Toronto. What a venue!
Ganaraska forest is a conservation area and plays host to a forest centre (where the reception was held), dormitory accommodation, an education centre and many events and activities for its members. Weddings in the forest are a ‘do-it-yourself’ kind of set up, with a small clearing in the trees having been set up with a wooden arbour set just in front of a babbling brook. Honestly, it was stunning.
Of course a forest ‘DIY’ wedding means that there is a lot more you have to do, well, yourself! However, if you are lucky enough to have an amazing wedding party who are ready to chip in, you can have such a unique experience amongst nature for your wedding day, just like my bride and groom did. From the groomsmen making numerous trips down to the forest clearing with chairs and benches for the guests, to the bridesmaids stringing up fairy lights and putting batteries in what seemed like hundreds of electronic candles, the whole unforgettable event was a team effort and came together beautifully on the day. There was even a DJ with a power generator who rigged me up with my mic and played music as the guests and wedding party arrived. The vibe was earthy, bohemian chic and every single guest was mesmerised by the surroundings.
The ceremony, if I do say so myself, was perfect. The couple had written their own vows, had family members doing readings and had chosen to include a handfasting ceremony to symbolise their union. This was my first ever handfasting so I had practised that knot many, many times beforehand! I can confirm, it went to plan. So, other than a couple of curious bugs who joined us for the nuptials, this extraordinary wedding ceremony was certainly an unforgettable experience.
Here is my top 5 list of outdoor wedding tips:
Consider the climate. This may seem obvious but even in Canada in the middle of summer, there was no guarantee we would get the perfect weather conditions. Luckily, Mother Nature was on our side.
Consider your guests. Some outdoor settings can pose accessibility problems if you have guests with mobility restrictions so find out about their options before locking in your outdoor venue.
Consider footwear. If you opt for the beauty of nature as the setting for your wedding ceremony, make sure you and your guests are prepared for the possibility of uneven or soft ground.
Consider the logistics. Outdoor weddings are amazing, but can also add another level of planning into your busy schedule. Make sure your plans and ideas are feasible as well as spectacular.
Consider timings. If you or your future spouse suffer from allergies, a flowery meadow in early summer may not be the best option. A beach wedding can be unbelievable, but have you checked when the tide comes in? Definitely worth a thought.
If you are considering an outdoor wedding, I say go for it! You can find some great ideas here: https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/organising-and-planning/outdoor-wedding-ideas/
Even better, if you would like to discuss your outdoor wedding plans with me as your potential celebrant, get in touch and let’s get this al fresco party started!
