Are you in the process of planning your wedding? As exciting as this time may be for you, it is important to remember that there are a number of serious decisions that must be made. One of those decisions concerns your wedding reception. If you are like most brides and grooms, you may be pondering the big question, ?Should I have my wedding reception indoors or out??
Before deciding whether you should have your wedding reception outside or inside, there are a number of important factors that you will first want to take into consideration. A few of those factors are outlined below for your convenience.
Perhaps, the most important factor to take into consideration, when deciding on an indoor wedding reception or an outdoor wedding reception is the weather. Although the weather can be unpredictable, you can still get a good idea as to what you can expect on your special day. For example, is your area more prone to rain showers or thunderstorms in the early spring or late summer? Your intended location and anticipated wedding date can give you a good idea as to what may find on your wedding day.
Cost is another important factor that should be examined, when comparing outdoor and indoor wedding receptions. Generally speaking, many brides and grooms find it more affordable to host a wedding reception outdoors. This is mostly due in part to self-owned property or property owned by relatives. In these instances, no venue rental fees are needed. Of course, it is important to note that not all establishments have high rental fees. In addition to traditional banquet rooms, many bars and restaurants rent out their establishments for private parities, including weddings.
Your dreams are another factor that should be examined, before deciding what type of wedding reception you would like to have. Although weather and cost are important, you should not have to settle for anything less than your first choice on your wedding day. If you wish to have a casual wedding reception outdoors, you should take steps to ensure that is what you get. Speaking of steps, regardless of your decision, there are a few ways that you can ensure that your wedding reception is affordable and a dream come true.
In keeping with the example of an outdoor wedding reception, outdoor party rental tents should be looked at. They come in a number of different sizes, ensuring that all guests will be covered. Many party tents also come with removable waterproof sides. What does this mean for you? It means that you will be prepared in the event that your outdoor wedding reception is greeted with wind or rain.
If you are still unable to decide between an indoor or an outdoor wedding reception, you may want to examine rented wedding venues that give you the best of both worlds. For example, many establishments have beautiful indoor banquet rooms, as well as breathtakingly beautiful scenery outdoors. Not only could you possibly use both spaces to your advantage, but you are essentially provided with a backup plan, which is always an added bonus when it comes to the most important day of your life.
As highlighted above, a number of factors should be taken into consideration when deciding on an outdoor wedding reception or an indoor one. With that being said, there are always steps that can be taken to ensure that your wedding day is, literally a dream come true.
Outdoor weddings can be some of the most spectacularly beautiful settings of all, but they can also set the stage for a wedding cake disaster. The problem is that there are so many more variables when you move outside than when you are inside. As a result, the trick is to find a way to minimize the risk of a wedding cake disaster so that you can approach your big day with confidence. To do so, however, means that you must first identify the common threats to the well being of your cake and how to protect yourself against each threat.
Heat and Humidity: The Natural Enemies of Your Wedding Cake
Wedding cakes are food. That much is obvious. But we often forget that almost all foods need a climate controlled environment. In most cases, a cake will stand up outside for the length of a normal nuptial ceremony, but in the event of extreme heat or humidity you might have a natural wedding cake disaster brewing. In high heat or humidity your icing colors will run as the icing begins to soften and sweat. When it softens enough, it will begin to pull away from the cake.
If you don't have an indoor reception opportunity and you are having an outside ceremony at a time when it is likely to be humid, hot, or both you can protect yourself from a wedding cake disaster by choosing a fondant wedding cake with subtle or no added icing color. The fondant will raise the cost of your cake by approximately thirty percent, but fondant holds up better in the heat (better, not invincibly) and you can add color accents with ribbon or fresh flowers - which will also save you money over having your icing colored since all icing coloring has to be done by hand.
Four Legged Animals: A Wedding Cake Disaster from Below
We've all seen movie scenes where a neighborhood dog chases a cat under the table holding a gorgeous four tiered wedding cake causing the proverbial wedding cake disaster but have you thought about the wildlife? I've seen a squirrel in a park climb right up onto the cake table. It no doubt it would have tasted the cake and might have even climbed the towering creation if it had not been chased off.
What do you do to protect yourself from this kind of wedding cake disaster? At very least appoints someone to stand guard and fend off unwanted intrusions. I would suggest, however, protecting your cake and your entire day by placing the edible artwork you commissioned inside a large wedding tent with screened walls. You can have the walls taken down when your bridal party moves to the reception area if you like, but in the mean time your investment will be protected until you are ready for it.
Insects: A Wedding Cake Disaster Invasion
We all know how much insects in general and bees in specific like sweet things. Protect yourself from a wedding cake disaster by first; knowing your reception location and time. Is that area prone towards insect problems in the time of the year when your wedding is planned? If so, and maybe even if not, take precautions. Get a large tent with screened walls and don't take them down until you have cut and served the cake if you are seeing insects looking for ways to get at your wedding cake. Or better yet, plan your reception inside. Many places that cater to outdoor weddings offer beautiful reception hall options.
Birds: A Wedding Cake Disaster from Above
You've spent your hard earned money on a beautiful wedding cake. Don't risk a wedding cake disaster by placing it in an area where birds might fly over. This is another good reason to invest in the protection of at least a patio umbrella if not a tent if your cake must be outside.
So plan that gorgeous outdoor wedding that you've always dreamed about. Enjoy the backdrop of creation. Weigh the incredible rewards against the risks. Decide how much risk you are comfortable with and implement plans to minimize the danger. Once you've done so you should be able to prevent a wedding cake disaster from ruining your big day.
Both Gabriel Adams & Jeanette Shinn are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jeanette Shinn has sinced written about articles on various topics from Wedding Bells, Modelling and Wedding Gowns. Jeanette Shinn is a wedding professional with over a dozen years experience making dreams come alive. Find more helpful ideas from choosing