5 Things to Make Planning Your Garden Wedding Stress-Free

1. Space and Layout for Your Garden Wedding

Access the capacity of you garden or the area of your land or farm that you plan to use for your wedding. Bear in mind your wedding tipi and marquee will need space around the outside of it. This is for ropes and access for catering/bar staff and other suppliers around the sides.

Consider the usable space, accounting for landscaping features like flower beds or water features.

Once you have worked this out, speak to a tipi or marquee provider to finalise numbers. They are likely to come and visit the space in person to confirm that your capacity will work.

(NB. We can provide tipis for your wedding but if you would a looking for a canvas marquee, we highly recommend The Canvas Tent Co)

Plan areas for different functions:

• Ceremony: You won’t be able to legally get married at your own home. However, you can do the legal bit at the local register office and then have a personalised ceremony at home. Choose a focal point with a beautiful backdrop but make sure it’s not too far from the main reception space.

• Reception: If you are getting married in the UK, we do not recommend planning to have your reception in the open air. Here in Cheshire, where we are based, there are some beautiful summer days. However, no weather forecast s 100% accurate and trust us, you don’t need the stress! For all of our couples planning an outdoor wedding, weather is the one thing that stresses them out the most. Yet it is the one thing that you can do nothing about. Having said that, there are things you can do to prevent it causing a problem. See our blog post: 3 Things to Do if It Rains at Your Outdoor Wedding

• Catering: Allocate space for a catering tent or outdoor kitchen setup. Even if you are having street food trucks, they will need space and access. Space for fridge trailer to keep drinks cool is also useful – no one likes warm champagne!

2. Landscaping and Decor

• Garden condition – Work with professional landscapers to ensure the garden is in pristine condition. This may involve planting seasonal flowers, manicuring lawns, and pruning trees and shrubs.

• Enhance natural beauty with luxury floral arrangements, focusing on seasonal and local blooms.

• Incorporate high-end decorative elements like crystal chandeliers, elegant drapery, or custom-made arbors.

• Lighting – Install professional landscape lighting to highlight garden features. Use a mix of string lights, lanterns, and candles for a romantic ambiance.  You could even consider hiring a lighting designer to create a magical atmosphere as day turns to night

3. Garden Weddings Logistics and Infrastructure

This is a big one and where many people get a bit overwhelmed.

• Power supply: An extension lead from the kitchen is unlikely to be sufficient for all you need for a successful garden wedding. Hiring in the right size and type of generator, along with the distribution kit, means you will have uninterrupted power for lighting, music and catering equipment.

• Toilets: Depending on the distance from your wedding tipi to your house, along with how many guests you are expecting, it is probably worth hiring in some portable toilets. Now if the idea of portaloos makes you shudder, don’t panic! You can get some stunning luxury toilets so your guests feels as comfortable as they would at home. We work with Folly’s Luxury Toilet Hire who not only have amazing portable toilets, they’re also really lovely people! For special finishing touches, why not add fresh flowers and toiletries so your wedding guests have all they could need.

• Parking and Transportation: Depending on how much space you have at your property, think about arranging offsite parking with a shuttle service. Local sports clubs may be able to offer you some space in return for a donation and it saves clogging up lanes and roads near your home. You could even offer valet parking for a touch of luxury and convenience. You could even look at helicopter landing options if you have the space!

4. Permits and Regulations for Garden Weddings

If you are planning any entertainment, or to sell alcohol, you will need a temporary events notice (TEN). These can be applied for with your local council and are fairly inexpensive.

You will also need to to check any local regulations regarding amplified sound and extended hours.

Any fire safety regulations – particularly relating to tipis/marquees and lighting should also be considered.

Insurance is also a good idea – particularly in relation to property damage, liability and cancellation cover should the unexpected happen.

5. Garden Weddings Supplier and Vendor Coordination

Choose suppliers that are specialists in outdoor weddings and who understand the unique challenges of garden venues.

Renting high-quality structures and furniture ensure that the beautiful garden setting is complemented. It also means your vision for your perfect garden wedding is realised.

Try to coordinate set-up, deliveries and pick-up times to minimise impact on the land. And so as not to annoy your neighbours if you have any.

A wedding co-ordinator who is a specialist in outdoor weddings and events can be a godsend. They can take care of all of the little jobs and any issues – whilst you take part in the party.

If you would like to discuss with us how to make your garden wedding both spectacular and stress-free, please get in touch. Email hello@venueportfolio.co.uk or call Derek on 07792 140311