Planning an Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
Welcome to today’s blog on all things outdoor wedding ceremonies. An outdoor wedding ceremony is the perfect setting to celebrate your joining in marriage. There are countless locations where you can have your outdoor wedding ceremony that will have you surrounded in a backdrop of natural beauty and leave all of your guests completely mesmerised. Imagine standing by the sea with your toes dipped in the sand, or amongst lush greenery or blooming flowers as you marry the love of your life. Nothing can compare to this. There really is something special about being outdoors for a wedding ceremony.
Ok, let’s get right into it! A question I often get asked by my upcoming brides and grooms is:
Where are the best outdoor wedding ceremony locations in Sydney?
There are endless possibilities to choose from for outdoor wedding ceremonies in Sydney. Sydney really is one of the most beautiful and scenic cities in the world and has the best landscapes to offer from stunning coastlines and ocean views, to unique cliffs and bushlands. There are so many incredible locations you can choose from that will create a tranquil atmosphere to enhance the romance of your wedding ceremony.
It’s important to choose your location wisely and to consider the location’s scenery, accessibility, noise levels and traffic to make sure your ceremony meets your expectations. Take a trip out to all of your favourite outdoor wedding ceremony options and have a think about these points carefully while you are there to help you get a feel of what it will be like on the big day and to help you find the perfect spot. Let’s take a look further into these 4 points now:
Scenery, View and Landscape
Try and envision how your ceremony will be set up in the space you have chosen. Consider what you would like as part of your backdrop and that of your guests. Think about the time of day you are having the ceremony and ensure there is ample natural light to make your photos look fantastic. This can be something you discuss with your photographers, videographers and stylists.
Accessibility
Consider if there is parking available close by to the ceremony location. Consider if the location can be easily accessed for all of your guests from the parking or drop off points. Many outdoor ceremony locations may require some level of walking on uneven paths and surfaces, which may be difficult for some guests.
Noise & Traffic
It’s ideal to choose a quiet and private location with minimal noise from interfering traffic or the public. Make sure you go to the location at the same time and day you wish to have your wedding to pay attention to the noises that you can hear. Listen out for background noise from animals/nature/water/water transport/cars/trains and see if there are people passing through regularly and causing more noise traffic. Consider how busy your location is and if it is a popular spot for tourists, adventure seekers or locals on a beautiful sunny day.
Below you’ll find a list of my top picks for outdoor wedding ceremony locations in Sydney.
and if you’re a photos type of person, here is the list of Sydney’s outdoor wedding ceremony venues
in visual format
Favourite outdoor wedding ceremony locations in Sydney
There are some stunning beach front venues in Sydney that you can have your wedding ceremony at if you also choose to have your wedding reception there too, for example Bathers’ Pavilion in Balmoral can be hired exclusively for both your wedding ceremony and reception.
And some breathtaking tree lined venues in Sydney for both your outdoor wedding ceremony & reception, for example Springfield House in Dural.
The above locations all have ample parking available and are easily accessible for all of your guests to enjoy. They all have adequate accessible restroom facilities available for guests.
Make sure that you visit the location in person before making a final decision to ensure that it meets all your needs and expectations.
Bather’s Pavilion, Balmoral
Ok ok. Now I can hear the doubts starting to kick in… ‘but we live in Sydney, and Sydney’s weather is so temperamental’.
Is an outdoor wedding ceremony practical? Will it cause me more stress on my wedding day?
I hear you. Sydney’s weather can be very unpredictable. One day it’s sunny, the next day we’ve got all 4 seasons in the one day. It’s hard to predict what the weather will be this weekend, let alone know what it will be like for your wedding day, which may be some months or years away. Not knowing what the weather will be like doesn’t necessarily mean more stress on your wedding day.
Have a wet weather plan in place
If you’re planning on having an outdoor wedding ceremony, the best thing you can do is to be prepared for potential poor weather. Have a plan and wet weather option in place so that you can easily make changes and not cause yourself unnecessary stress leading up to your wedding. Outdoor wedding ceremonies with ideal weather are simply stunning, but if the weather is not on your side then it’s important to accept this in a timely fashion and move to your Plan B. You will need to be able to make a decision early on your wedding day or the day before to avoid last minute run arounds and stress.
Consider renting a marquee, umbrellas, or fans. Check with your ceremony venue if they allow for tents, marquees or other forms of shelter to be set up in the event of rain, high winds or other weather events.
Many of the ceremony locations above have outdoor as well as indoor options, so for example if the outdoor option cannot go ahead your venue team can easily and conveniently set up an indoor alternative hassle and headache free.
If you’re going with a beach or garden wedding then this can be a little tricker as you may not have a close by wet-weather option. I would recommend you speak to your wedding reception venue to see if they may be able to host your wedding ceremony just before your wedding reception commences. This could be your back up option for the day of your wedding. This option is also great for your guests who won’t have to travel as much on the day of your wedding. It ends up being incredibly convenient and your guests will thank you later!
Some more important considerations for your outdoor wedding ceremony.
Think of what month you’d like to be married in
According to our trustworthy source, Google, September is the driest month of the year in Sydney. Try and aim for the drier months of the year if you’re opting for an outdoor wedding ceremony. We wouldn’t recommend booking an outdoor wedding in winter as all of your guests will be very cold and it’s likely going to be a wet day.
Consider booking a wedding planner to help coordinate your outdoor wedding
Having a wedding planner, wedding coordinator or wedding day manager can really help alleviate the stress of making decisions in the lead up to your day and on the day of your wedding. They will be able to communicate with all of your guests and vendors on your behalf on the day of the wedding to inform them of any changes of plans or details that they need to know. They can also help you plan your dream wedding by making suggestions on styling, locations, decorations and a schedule to suit your personal preferences.
Choose appropriate decorations and seating
Find a stylist who has experience setting up in outdoor locations as they will need additional materials to combat the weather and wind to ensure your florals and styling stay in position.
Decorations
Vaucluse House, Sydney
Choose decorations that are sturdy and appropriate for an outdoor setting and avoid items that could be blown away. We have been to many weddings where decorations cannot withstand the wind and this has resulted in guests (and sometimes even the groom) left holding parts of the display and arrangements together during the ceremony (or even while having to say his vows!)
Seating
Ensure you arrange ample seating for your guests so that those that need to be seated can have a seat available. This may include renting chairs or benches.
Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Music Considerations
Now let’s get onto the fun part, the music at your wedding ceremony.
Having musicians perform your favourite songs at your outdoor wedding ceremony will enhance the overall ambience and atmosphere of your special occasion. They will add a romantic touch to your day and will elevate the mood and experience for you and all of your guests. It’s an essential component of your day that you will need to organise, especially for an outdoor wedding ceremony, so that you can keep your guests entertained and get them in the mood to celebrate. As I mentioned in My Previous Blog;
‘Music has a way of sparking emotions, feelings and fond memories, which will captivate all of your guests’.
Do yourself and your guests a favour and eliminate any awkwardness that may be present in the silences of your wedding ceremony by organising a live musician to perform.
Oatlands House - Photo by Siempre
FAQs for our Musicians
Here are some frequently asked questions that our team often gets asked regarding outdoor wedding ceremonies, live music, musicians and song choices for outdoor wedding ceremonies.
Can musicians play in the rain?
Just as you & your guests will most likely not want to be outdoors for your wedding ceremony in the event that it does rain, neither will your musicians, or more importantly their instruments. Instruments are not water proof and will be severely damaged if they are subjected to rain. It is important to go with your wet weather plan if it looks like it may be raining on your wedding day or have a cover or protected area if you are unsure if there may be some rain.
When should I have my musicians play during my outdoor wedding ceremony?
Just like any traditional wedding ceremony you may like to have your musicians play for the following points of your wedding ceremony.
Pre-Ceremony Music
It’s best to have your musicians playing before your ceremony commences, as your guests arrive and take their seats. This can help create a warm and relaxed atmosphere, welcoming your guests to your wedding ceremony and entertaining them as they wait for the ceremony to start.During the Wedding Ceremony
Have your musicians play your favourite songs during the key, significant points of your wedding ceremony. This includes having music during the bridal party and bridal entrance, signing of the register & recessional. Click Here for more information on planning your wedding ceremony music and for help choosing songs for these specific points of your ceremony.Post-Ceremony Music
After you have walked back down the aisle as husband & wife, you may like to continue celebrating at your stunning outdoor venue. A lovely way to encourage your guests to stick around is by having your musicians continue to play after the ceremony is finished. This can create a seamless transition into the next part of your day by keeping the energy level up and preventing any awkward silences or lulls in the festivities.
During this time, your guests may like to congratulate you and take photos with you, or you may like to have drinks or nibbles for your guests to enjoy. Whatever activity you have following your ceremony, music will keep everyone entertained and engaged and will beautifully complement the conclusion of your ceremony and continuation of celebrations. Consider having some upbeat, joyous songs played during this point of your day to get everyone into the celebratory mood! The music you choose to play after your ceremony can help set the tone for your reception.
What instruments should I have for my outdoor wedding ceremony?
This depends on your personal preference. You really could have any instruments depending on what you like best. Many musicians can play for an outdoor ceremony however you will need to check what their set up is for their instrument and if performing outdoors is possible for them. It’s best to speak with the musicians that you would like to hire and check if they are able to perform for outdoor ceremonies. Some musicians may require access to a power supply to amplify their sound.
Our team of musicians at Violin by Mel can all perform in outdoor settings. They can adjust their performance to suit the outdoor environment by adjusting their instrument’s volume to suit the acoustics or choosing instruments that work well in an open-air environment. For example, using an electric or classical violin depending on your setting. We ensure that the music will sound great and that everyone can hear and enjoy it, regardless of outdoor conditions such as wind. Some other musicians that suit an outdoor wedding ceremony well include:
Harpists
Vocalists
Guitarists
String Quartets
Saxophonists
Can musicians perform anywhere for my outdoor wedding ceremony?
You can certainly have musicians set up and perform at any location for your outdoor wedding ceremony. As above, you will need to check directly with them to see if they can accommodate to your specific setting. Our team at Violin by Mel all have equipment which is portable, wireless and battery powered so there will be no cords or connections required, or trip hazards present during your ceremony. All of our violinists use cordless set ups so no power is needed which means that you can have your musician set up anywhere. This includes in the middle of any national park or at the shore of your favourite beach. Or on a super yacht sailing across the Sydney harbour as seen below!
Photo by Kevin Lue Photography
Is live music loud enough to hear at an outdoor wedding ceremony?
Yes, absolutely. Live musicians can accommodate to the outdoor setting and will adjust the volume to suit your specific set up. Our violinists use classical and electric violins which are amplified by a battery powered portable speaker. This means that the sound will carry well through your wedding ceremony location for all of your guests to comfortably hear and enjoy. It is important to consider the volume of the music and ensure this is appropriate, especially if your ceremony is in a residential area, park or near other events or activities. This leads us to the next question…
My outdoor wedding ceremony location has noise restrictions, am I still able to have live musicians?
Our team has performed at countless wedding ceremony locations across Sydney including ones with noise level restrictions. We are very mindful of the level of noise generated by our musicians and ensure we keep this to a level that does not violate any rules or regulations at your location. Our experienced team of musicians are aware of the noise restrictions at most venues and have a range of equipment and instruments that can work well in an outdoor setting to avoid any complaints or issues on the day of your wedding. We work closely with wedding planners, coordinators and location staff to find a volume that works well for both the music and the environment.
Often if there are noise restrictions at your ceremony’s location, our team will opt for using acoustic instruments instead of amplified electric instruments or speakers, to avoid being too loud or disruptive. Acoustic instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars, harps, duets and trios all produce a beautiful resonant acoustic sound in these settings without causing any noise conflicts.
Photo by Happy Stories
What type of songs should I choose for my outdoor wedding ceremony?
The options for your song choices are endless. You really can choose any songs you like for an open aired wedding ceremony. Think about all the songs that you like best and would like to have a part of your special day and try to incorporate these. Have a look at This Blog to help you find the perfect songs for your wedding ceremony, or tune into this Spotify Playlist for popular wedding day love songs that you might like to incorporate into your day.
I hope this blog has inspired you to create your dream outdoor wedding ceremony.
Get in touch with us today if you would like to find out more about musical options for your outdoor wedding ceremony. Our team can’t wait to help you organise this!
Happy planning!
