How to Plan the Perfect Celebrant-Led Outdoor Ceremony
Many of my couples adore nature and have imagined exchanging vows under a vast open sky, and spending their whole day immersed in the beauty of nature. Have you ever dreamed of doing the same, but worried about what an outdoor wedding would mean in terms of challenges?
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of creating celebrant ceremonies in many stunning locations in Europe, – from alpine meadows in Bavaria, to tranquil lakesides in Switzerland, and have loved spending time with my couples in scenery that seems to come straight out of a postcard! One ceremony that always stands out in my memory was on top of a mountain in Switzerland. We took an open chair lift to a charming mountain cabin, where the couple and their closest family members exchanged vows, quite literally with their heads in the clouds.
After the ceremony, they celebrated in the cosy candlelit cabin, tucking into a five star menu and having fun with the fondue! These moments were filled with the warmth and intimacy of their day, and filled my heart too as I know how precious your Wedding memories are, hence every ceremony I create is unique, and I’m here to help you with your own amazing Wedding or Elopement Day!
Getting Started
Planning a celebrant led outdoor wedding begins with sharing your ideas and vision with me, and building our relationship too as I will be spending a good deal of time with you! On our discovery call, I want to hear your hopes, dreams, vision, and style for your day.
How do you want to feel during your ceremony? My goal is for you to hear your own voice in the script and to see your personalities shine through every word. Whether it’s a small elopement or a gathering with your nearest and dearest, my priority is making sure it reflects your personalities, values, and of course what connects you in particular to the location you have chosen.
The outdoors can mean so many things! I’ve been part of ceremonies where couples held ceremony in their family garden, or the park where they first met, or the beach they were on when they got engaged, or the mountain hut they had reached and realising what a great team they were, and making them “officially” a couple.
Choosing the Right Outdoor Location
The location sets the tone for everything and is often what I call a “silent witness” in the ceremony! It really does not matter where you choose, as your options are pretty endless, and usually without any restrictions (but best to check first!). I’ve held celebrant ceremonies in both public parks, private gardens, national landmarks, castle keeps and also in wild places, at the foot of mountains and edge of glacial lakes.
The most important thing is finding a spot that resonates with you as a couple. Is it a place you both love visiting? Somewhere meaningful from your travels? Or simply a stunning backdrop you’ve always dreamt of?
Bear in mind the logistics. How easy is it for guests to reach? Are there facilities nearby, or will you need to bring in portable options? If it’s a public space, please check if you need permission (often public parks need local authority permits), and of course if you want privacy, check how busy it is likely to be at your chosen time.
For more remote or seasonal outdoor locations, consider whether you have access during certain months (winter months in Europe mean some areas are not cleared and would therefore be difficult to access). However, there are always other transport options, chair lifts, funicular railway, cable cars, or if you feel like splashing out, hire a helicopter! I have lots of connections to help you organise everything you need to ensure a safe and happy arrival!
The All-Important Plan B
Here’s the truth – outdoor weddings rely on the weather behaving itself, and as we all know, that’s never guaranteed. Having a solid Plan B in place will give you peace of mind. Options might include renting a marquee, arranging an indoor alternative nearby, or even using an adaptable space like a mountain cabin or local chapel. Make sure your guests know the backup plan too. Clear communication will help everyone feel more relaxed and ready to celebrate with you, no matter what the weather decides.
I distinctly remember my mountain top ceremony at Rigi Kulm, Switzerland was due to be held outside on the meadow, and were about to walk from the hotel when a surprise snow shower rolled in, so we held back all the guests in the hotel and dashed into the small chapel on the side of the mountain with décor and flowers, preparing everything quickly, before bringing the guests, family, and bride and groom down the hillside. Do you know what? It was still a beautiful and meaningful moment because we were prepared, and later they braved the snowstorm for some amazing images for their wedding album.
What to Wear
Let’s talk about outfits. A good idea is to consider choices that would suit both the setting and the season. For warmer weather, lightweight and breathable fabrics are a must, while layers can be literally be a lifesaver for cooler temperatures. My mountain elopements can attest to the need for thermal underwear which these days is hardly detectable under a flowy wedding dress. By the way, that type of dress that moves so naturally in the breeze, and even a veil too, well that looks awesome on photos! Grooms can embrace a more relaxed look, whether that’s a tailored linen suit or something more casual. Practical footwear is just as important – think about comfort and potential damage, so perhaps choose a spare, but definitely have your hiking boots for any hikes to the ceremony space, if the terrain demands it. I’ve seen couples rocking Converse, cowboy boots, or even barefoot for a beach ceremony. One of my favourite memories is of a couple exchanging vows in their hiking boots by a glacial lake, perfectly suited to the rugged beauty of their surroundings. It’s your day – choose what feels right for you – in my early days of outdoor weddings, I would often find myself wearing the “wrong” shoes all day, and now bring my “wedding shoes” in my Celebrant Bag!
Keeping Everyone Comfortable
If you’ve got guests joining you, their comfort is obviously something you will want to consider. For cooler days, think about providing blankets or shawls – it’s a thoughtful touch that always goes down well. Outdoor heaters or fire pits can also make a big difference, adding warmth and atmosphere.
As we know, summers are getting hotter and outdoor ceremonies often lack shade. I am always present early, and as part of my own “housekeeping” will check that there is water for all, and some form of temporary shade. Occasionally I will suggest that we change the seating set up so that guests don’t face the sun, or suggest that guests only enter the “hotter” space 5 minutes before the ceremony instead of 15minutes or more, and invited them to bring their cool drinks with them.
Offer your guests fans, parasols, or even a hydration station with water and cool drinks if this works for you. It’s the little details that your friends and family will remember.
Food and Drink
When planning food and drink for an outdoor setting, simplicity is your best friend. Buffets or food stations, even food trucks can be a practical and relaxed way to cater for everyone, and they also allow you to incorporate seasonal or local ingredients. If sustainability is important to you, look for caterers who share those values.
Be mindful of food safety and keeping anything that will spoil quickly, out too long in the heat. Small picnic ice packs work well for elopements and are easily carried. For small intimate weddings, moving to a restaurant or hotel for the main reception would be a great idea.
In Germany, the wedding cake is cut and served with Champagne, immediately after the Ceremony, and only needs a very simple set up if you do want to try incorporating this into your outdoor Wedding! It really reflects well the symbolic moment of this being the first “meal” the couple share together after their marriage. The sweetness of the cake is even more adorably symbolic!
For drinks, a mix of refreshing cocktails, mocktails, and soft drinks, juices and water will keep everyone happy, and depending on where you are, you might have to consider whether you can bring drinks (other than water) to the ceremony space, and what is appropriate in terms of disposal and keeping everything tidy, in the more open areas. One couple I worked with chose to create a signature cocktail at their lakeside wedding ceremony as part of their blending ritual, then served the mix to their 12 guests immediately afterwards. Choosing local or regional wines and beers for a blending ritual is a great way of bringing in truly local flavour.
Crafting Your Celebrant – led Ceremony
As your celebrant, I’m not just delivering a ceremony – I’m telling your love story. Every ceremony I write begins with a blank sheet, crafted entirely around your journey, your values, and your vision for the day. I spend time learning what inspires you, what you cherish most about each other, and how you want your day to feel – for yourselves and for all your guests too!
Your ceremony will reflect back to you the hopes and dreams you’ve shared with me, and every word will feel uniquely yours. While some couples choose well-known rituals like a sand or candle ceremony, I often create something bespoke that holds deep meaning for you. One couple, for example, shared their love of the sea, and as we were on a terrace overlooking the ocean, on the volcanic island of Salina, I created a Fire and Water Ceremony. This reflected not only our location, but also what these two elements meant to each of them. It was singular and unique, and very moving. The “props” may be familiar, but the meaning behind them is entirely personal.
My goal is to ensure your ceremony is authentic, heartfelt, and a true reflection of who you are. It’s your story, unique and personal, deeply meaningful, and it’s always my honour to bring it to life.
Final Thoughts
An outdoor wedding is about embracing the beauty and unpredictability of nature while staying true to yourselves. With thoughtful planning and a bit of flexibility, your day can be as unique and special as your love story. My role as your celebrant is to honour and respect your wishes, and to delight, support, and bring joy throughout the process.
With over 13 years of experience and more than 500 ceremonies performed, you can be completely reassured that you’re in good hands.
If you’re ready to start planning your Wedding or Elopement, in the UK or Europe, and are looking to connect with a trained experienced Celebrant who is passionate about choice, inclusivity and being participants in your wedding rather than spectators, then please get in touch. Let’s create a celebrant ceremony that’s authentically yours.
With a rare 10% Discount off my 2025 and 2026 Fees which closes 31st March 2025, please don’t wait too long, or you might miss out!
Contact me on WhatsApp +447800543426 or email ivvey@hotmail.com or complete the contact form on my website https://celebrantinlondon.co.uk/what-can-a-celebrant-do/
Let’s speak soon!
Warmest Wishes,
Yvonne