Picture a romantic ceremony, the sun shining through the rafters of a ruined chapel, birds chirping and fluttering overhead. Or what about a lavish hall, soft drapes gently waving as all your friends and family watch on your special day. Doubtless, you’ve mused on the idea before, but the one thing that determines everything about your wedding is whether you want an indoor or outdoor wedding; it dictates the time of year, the number of people that can come, the aesthetic and even your budget!

Outdoor weddings: Pros and Cons

Outdoor weddings are gorgeous, there’s no denying it but when it flops, it’s a trainwreck. No one wants to be caught dead attending a failed outdoor ceremony, let alone be in one! Booking your date at the right time of year is a no-brainer, but requires forward thinking, especially if you have your heart set on a specific spot. That being said having a contingency plan, such as an alternative venue, in case the weather turns south is heavily recommended. You should also check for the proper legal procedure when hosting an event in a public space. Outdoor weddings need a great deal of forward planning but when you manage to time the ceremony to the sunset so it dips just as you first kiss as newlyweds, nothing can really match that!

Nobody ever said a wedding was going to be cheap, ask anyone who got married or planned a wedding! The initial cost of renting an outdoor space is considerably cheap, but just like going on your honeymoon on an economy airline, there’s a lot of hidden charges! If you want a romantic spot, try and find one which is close to some basic amenities, as you can’t really rent nice bathrooms for your guests. Musical and electronic equipment also needs to be considered and organised, for instance, you might need to rent an electrical generator or two to power lights, sound systems, fridges and whatever else you’ll need. Most wedding caterers are well-equipped for outdoor events, but they might very well charge you extra for it.

The great outdoors offers more than just a pretty backdrop, they can host a huge number of people, perfect for that big wedding with all your friends and family. Especially if several of your guests have children, then an outdoor wedding is definitely something you should consider!

Indoor weddings: Pros and Cons

Indoor weddings, on the other hand, are a blank canvas which can be designed and detailed to create that perfect wedding that you’ve always dreamed of. Your choice of decorations, wedding gowns, floral arrangements and lighting can all be tailored and specified down to the last detail when working indoors, something which is much, much harder outdoors. Keep in mind that this will inevitably drive up your costs, which means you’ll have to carefully budget your wedding expenses.

Although some might find that an indoor venue might reduce their guest list, indoor weddings allow for a more intimate gathering with family and close friends. You’ll be able to mingle and spend more time with your guests than you would at an outdoor wedding, and the guests themselves are more likely to feel like one big group as opposed to several, smaller huddles. By not being exposed to the elements in the same way an outdoor wedding is, indoor weddings are in season all year round (although Winter is usually the way to go if you want that cosy and warm feel!). This makes it much easier to book a venue and means that you won’t have to delay your wedding by another year if you can’t have your wedding during a particular season. This is probably one of the biggest reasons couples go for an indoor wedding, the lack of weather worry, strong winds ruin hours of laborious hairdressing, blistering heat causing ghastly pit stains, freezing cold or a sudden downpour, all of these can be avoided with an indoor wedding and proper temperature control!

Undoubtedly, indoor weddings offer a great deal of control and allow for more creativity when designing the feel for your wedding, it all has the added benefit of being the significantly less risky of the two options!

Both indoor and outdoor weddings can be enchanting experiences, but both also need a great deal planning. Whether it’s floral arrangements, photographers, logistics, venues, caterers and music to name a few! Whatever you end up deciding on it’s always a good idea to get in touch with an expert wedding planner to discuss what would be best for you on your most special of days!

If you or a loved one is tying the knot, contact our team to help guide you through the entire process. We will present you with a magical and unforgettable day that is all about you and your happiness. With over 800 successful weddings planned, your joy is guaranteed.