Having An Outdoor Wedding Is Nice But Requires Additional Planning

A good plan is the key to a successful outdoor wedding. No matter what The Weather Channel is saying a week before the wedding day, a tent, or some form of shelter, should be a top priority for couples. Some experts suggest renting an alternate venue, just in case.

One of the most obvious reasons for renting a tent is for protection in case of rain. Although a tent will offer shelter from rain, wind is another story.

Because of the weather factor, planning for an outdoor wedding can be stressful for some couples.

When it comes to renting a tent, there are three basic tent styles to choose from: push-pole, frame tents and tension tents.

Push-pole tents, which are the most popular of the three, have ceilings that slope from a row of center poles, to a series of poles on the perimeter of the tent. They are anchored in the ground by staking, and generally need seven feet of clearance around the perimeter of the tent.

Because there are interior poles, there is less room inside the tent than the other styles. Most people decorate the poles with drapery to make them more appealing to the eye. Like the other styles of tents, push-pole tents have removable sidewalls, which are either plain white, clear vinyl or cathedral-window style.

Frame tents are generally more expensive than push pole tents. They are ideal for tight spots because they don't need clearance around the tent's perimeter. They are also ideal for narrow spots.

Tension tents, which are the most stable and wind-resistant of the three styles, are the least common. The center poles in a tension tent are very high, making the tent have very steep slopes. Because they have fewer interior poles than push-pole tents, there is more room inside the tent.

No matter what style of tent a couple chooses, a tent should be big enough so that guests can move around without bumping into each other.

Most tent rental companies will do an on site survey of the area to help determine the style and size of the tent appropriate for the event. The survey will also determine the best location for the tent.

Be sure to let your guests know in the invitation that it's an outdoor wedding, so they can dress appropriately. Enclose maps in your invitations, so guests can find their way and make sure the site has access to electricity. Make sure you have adequate bathroom facilities. If the wedding is at home, you might want to consider renting a portable latrine. Many rental places have wedding models, complete with a flush toilet and sink.

The general rule of thumb for a sit-down reception is to allow for 15 square feet per guest. Do the math, and make sure your tent is big enough. If you are having the wedding at a private residence, find out ahead of time where the tent will be placed. That way when you are doing your spring/summer planting, you can choose flowers in your wedding colors and plant them near the tent. Offer parking that is close by - it's a wedding not a hike (unless you want a hiking wedding). Let neighbors know you are having an outdoor wedding ahead of time so they won't be outside with lawnmowers and leaf blowers. Make sure your wedding site is in an area that won't get muddy or flood if it rains. Have mosquito spray handy. Citronella candles are not enough if mosquitoes decide to crash your party.

Come celebrate in The Gardens on your special day. You deserve the Maui Wedding of your dreams.

by Benjamin Charles - 2010-03-23

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Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=2711719