Ask Ann: Outdoor Weddings

Here are some questions Ann received recently. E-mail your own questions to askann@nhmagazine.com.

We decided we would like to get married outside. What is the best way to do this?

Outdoor weddings can be wonderful, but bad weather can put a damper on the day, thus a tent is a must as a prevention for rain…but during the “lightning and thunderstorm months” of June, July, August and September, a building is an absolute necessity for safety.Often couples have their ceremony outside and then move into the adjacent building for the reception.

Do we do it all at one place, and get married at the same place where we are having our reception?

Yes, if you wish to get the most for your dollar, do it all in one place. Having the ceremony and reception all at the same site will save money on transportation, flowers and music. It also saves time.

Also, cost is an issue for us, and I noticed many places offer lower prices if we get married on a Sunday. Do you think that will affect how many people will attend since we have many invitees from out of town?

Out of town guests may attend a Sunday wedding if they are on the younger side of 50. Older folks who have to come a distance of over 2 hours tend to send regrets. Also, off season rates may be lower at resort sites. Sunday weddings are especially wonderful when the next day is a holiday. Another way to make use of a Sunday rate is to get married as early as noon. This enables your religious guests to attend their church and then go on to your wedding. This way your reception can start immediately, and wind down during the late afternoon-early evening hours allowing guests to drive home before it is terribly late. FYI, Friday night weddings are also a way to save money. However,a Friday night wedding means a Thursday night rehearsal, which can be a problem for some to attend.