Outdoor Spaces
It's too beautiful to stay inside. Plan an open-air event and let the sun shine on your celebration. Create a charming and stylish wedding "set" by dividing your outdoor space into discrete areas for specific purposes, which can be as fanciful as they are functional.
Indoor weddings can take place anywhere, but one of the reasons so many couples choose to tie the knot in the Hamptons is for the beauty of the natural landscape. Nothing captures a bride's imagination more than celebrating her wedding under an open sky. Wedding professionals love outdoor weddings, too. Although designers can't compete with the magnificence of nature, they can complement the natural backdrops to create fun and fabulous outdoor spaces that will work, rain or shine.
In addition to being a marriage of two people, an outdoor wedding must be a marriage of fantasy and practicality. While the Hamptons is predictably beautiful, what's a bit less predictable is the weather. A good rule of thumb in planning an outdoor event is to plan for the worst and hope for the best. A large party tent provides not only rain insurance, but also protection from the hot sun. And far from being just a utilitarian necessity, tents can lend their own magic, especially when they're "warmed up" with decorative elements such as tree branches, potted trees, garlands, fabric banners, and lanterns.
With the rain plan in place, take stock of the landscape you have to work with. Look for great trees, which can offer shade, a dramatic backdrop for your ceremony, and branches to hang lanterns from. Also note level surfaces where you can place tables and seating. Identify natural boundaries - like a pond or stream, woods, or a sandy beach- that can help define and contain your gathering. Where no natural boundaries exist, you can create distinct areas by using things like wrought-iron gazebos, flags, or fabric strung between trees. Setting up some cozy "indoor" furniture - with low tables and overstuffed cushions - creates inviting lounge areas where guests can "chill out."
And remember, when night falls, the right lighting can really work magic - think strings of lights in the trees, dramatic uplighting, antique hurricane lamps, or a roaring bonfire to warm a cool evening. With an outdoor wedding, the sky really is the limit.
Drinks Al Fresco
Setting up a "field bar" is a great way to lure guests into exploring the outdoor space you've created for your celebration. The requirements are simple, don't try to anticipate what everybody wants and go broke in the process. Stock a mix of beers, white and red wines, and the makings for one -really great cocktail. Use fresh juice, good liquor, and get way too much ice - it won't go to waste. Use glassware that works for a variety of beverages - if the drinks are good, no one will complain that they're in the "wrong" type of glass.
Work with your bar caterer to find wines that pair well with your menu and get creative with signature drinks that refresh your guests and reflect both of your personalities.
Make Yourself Comfortable
With the right elements, you can make the outdoors as cozy and inviting as your own living room. Dressed-up seating platforms are perfect for lounging, but you can also take things down to ground level, laying down vibrant oriental rugs and low tables. For relief from the sun, consider setting up in the shade of a tree, or create your own shade with a colorful fabric canopy.
Infuse your celebration with a sense of wonder and whimsy by planting surprises throughout the landscape. Why let the photographer have all the fun? Allowing guests to call the shots - and take them, too - is a great way to get people interacting and documenting your day in a way that's personal, informal, and fun. Set the tables with disposable cameras and encourage everyone to explore the grounds and snap away; collect the cameras at the end of the day to make a unique keepsake album that shows your wedding from a guest's point of view. For something a little more elaborate, set up an outdoor photo studio where guests can coordinate their own shots or pose for a pro.
Water expresses a fresh, new beginning. Toast to your partnership on the riverbank - or ankle-deep in the stream - to celebrate your next chapter.
Go with the Flow
If you're fortunate enough to have selected a natural setting that includes a waterfall, creek, or river, make the most of it. Make sure the main opening of your tent frames the water view - even if the weather is wetter than you hoped for, you and your guests will be able to enjoy the scene while staying protected from the elements. And don't be afraid to think outside the box - perhaps setting up cocktail tables, complete with fine linen and china, in the middle of a shallow brook so guests can cool their toes during a hot summer celebration.
Time to Reflect
With the wedding day behind you, you're probably ready for a really relaxing outdoor brunch with the special guests who've spent the night. Set some beautiful tables by the water, if possible, and encourage folks to roll up their pants, wade in, and wander, enjoying the fresh morning air and the chance to spend just a little more quality time with old and new friends. Toast the new day with champagne or good sparkling wine, and keep the mood informal - the flowing water, the songs of the birds, and the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze are all the entertainment you need.
