3 HUGE Problems to Avoid at Outdoor Wedding Venues
Some of the most spectacular wedding venues available are entirely outdoors. While you’re visiting potential sites, it’s essential to do your homework and keep notes of some critical elements not always brought up during the sales process. Below are some potential issues to avoid if you’re considering outdoor wedding venues.
Hidden Costs
Selecting sites can be a headache if the site’s management is not upfront and transparent about all the costs associated with having a successful wedding. While showing you the venue and images of past weddings, they may gloss over details, including the extra amenities needed to be rented—at the client’s expense. Important items to note that are not always common with outdoor sites include restrooms, kitchens, and electricity. Make sure you understand if your venue includes these items, and if they don’t, what has been done in the past to provide these amenities, and at what cost.
The Elements
You may have every detail of your wedding planned to a tee, but if you don’t account for Mother Nature, your plans may be ruined. The most common back up plan that couples consider would be a “rain plan,” but depending on the time of year and location, you may need to consider other forces of nature such as wind or heat. Don’t fret—weddings have been held and successfully executed at your venue in the past, and all you need to do it talk to a trusted planner about how to remedy potential weather issues so you can stick to your original plan.
Uninvited Guests
Squatters may not be the worst thing to look out for at a large outdoor venue. Some other uninvited guests that may cause issues include birds, mosquitos, and other pests. Pay close attention to the time of year and the natural environment surrounding your outdoor venue and plan accordingly for the comfort of your guests. Preparation may include putting out mosquito repellent, wasp traps, or other remedies to avoid any unfortunate situations.
You may be lucky and not have to handle any of these potential problems during your planning process, but it is better to be aware of all outcomes and be as best prepared as possible. Please consult with your planner about any concerns you may have, or ask for advice based on problems and successes from past events they have produced to educate yourself about the pros and cons to any site you’re visiting.
About the author: Milestone Events Group is Northern California’s most experienced Wine Country Wedding Experts & largest event management company providing site selection services to multiple locations throughout Sonoma County. Over the past 6 years Milestone has helped hundreds of couples simplify the venue selection process by providing clarity, predictability and ultimately confidence for clients who work with them to evaluate wineries, ranches, and other locations for their private events.
After the venue selection process is complete, Milestone is also available to help produce events in a stress reduced and highly professional manner. www.MilestoneEventsGroup.com
