Pull Off the Perfect Outdoor Spring Wedding
It’s spring … the tulips are blooming, the temperatures are rising — what a perfect time for a wedding!For most of us, spring means the start of new life. Flowers bloom, and the earth wakes up from a long hibernation. If you live in a warmish climate, the perfect place for your spring wedding might be outdoors in a garden that’s bursting with fresh flowers.
As the weather begins to heat up and gardens start to bloom, many brides find the perfect setting for their special day among the greenery and budding flowers. There are so many ways to set off an outdoor wedding in springtime! Here are a few, with an eye towards elegance:
Props
Make use of formal props such as candelabras and urns, and drape containers and tables with vintage linens and lace. Arbors look their best when decorated with simpler, unfussy garden materials — as opposed to over-the-top heaps of greens and garlands, a heavy look that’s less popular now.
Centerpieces
Try clean-looking centerpieces with one consistent bloom. For example, pots filled with tulips or urns holding only anemones are really making the scene for spring. Color
Vibrant color is hot! Try cool greens mixed with eye-popping hues like coral or hot pink. Garden herbs also look (and smell) wonderful for weddings in spring. Try potting combinations of rosemary, thyme, and other herbs for green centerpieces that also make great take-home gifts.
Bouquets
Many spring brides are choosing bouquets filled with color – structurally simple, but daring! Brides are calling for stunning bouquet made up of tulips, or anemones: a Dutch flower with dark black centers, and vibrant petals of red, purple, or fuchsia. Lilacs or nosegays filled with sweet peas, miniature grape hyacinths, and ranunculus are popular, too.
Shabby Chic
A big trend right now is to mix and match contemporary with vintage – in other words, pure Shabby Chic. Dried lavender bound with dried grasses and tied to the pews lends a uniquely pleasing Shabby Chic feel. Dress windowsills with wreaths and candles in colored mason jars. Later on, reuse these same decorations to brighten up the reception tables.
Spring Wedding Gowns
Wedding gowns with a touch of color are in! Try a dress with sophisticated tan, beige or pink overtones — champagne tones are especially popular.
Nostalgia rears its head here as well — many brides are choosing gowns reminiscent of the 40s, 50s or 60s, while others are opting to wear the gown their mother or grandmother wore (either literally the same — or a loving copy).
Outdoor Candles
Candles lend a soft and romantic aura to any event. But to make the most of them, marry a bit later in the day, or have the reception run into the evening and light your candles then. To add a touch of spring to your candles, wrap bright satin ribbons around clear votive cups. (Multiple layers and colors lend an especially contemporary look.) These can double as guest wedding favors.
Don’t Forget the Backup Plan
Spring weather can be unpredictable. Have your Plan B worked out in case of rain, fog or strong winds. Look for a nearby elegant indoor hall nearby to serve as a backup. Alternatively, line up an event tent for the morning of the wedding, just in case (guests enjoy tents even in perfect weather, too — they help soften the sun’s strong rays). Having a backup plan for any outdoor wedding, anytime of the year, is a wise move.
A wedding in spring can be romantic, elegant, and fun! Knowing what you want — and lining up great planning and event staff — are the keys to a successful spring wedding.
Excerpt from Today's Bride MagazineWritten by Michelle O’Connor www.favorideas.com
