How to Plan a Small Gazebo Wedding

For those who would prefer to keep their wedding intimate and relatively informal, a small gazebo wedding is a good choice. The gazebo makes a beautiful backdrop for the happy couple, and the outdoor setting is casual yet can also be decorated extravagantly. A number of different aspects of a small gazebo wedding need to be planned in advance of the wedding day.

Instructions

Compile the guest list. This is something that the bride and groom should do together, revisiting the list until they agree that it is complete. It helps to make rules on how close a relative needs to be to get on the guest list and how many friends each side is allowed to invite.

Reserve a site for the wedding. The expected attendance at the wedding will help in selecting a gazebo wedding site that is the correct size. Many public parks have gazebos that can be used for weddings, or gazebos can be rented to hold a backyard wedding.

Design the wedding reception. Some outdoor wedding sites allow food to be brought in for a reception, which helps keep the wedding simple and within a tight budget. Another idea is to rent a venue and have a large reception, inviting guests who were not on the wedding ceremony guest list.

Plan a backup wedding ceremony site in case of bad weather. Some ideas are a large picnic shelter or tent at the outdoor gazebo site, or an indoor reception venue in which the wedding ceremony can be held.

Send out wedding invitations six to eight weeks in advance of the wedding date. Out-of-town guests should receive invitations at least eight weeks in advance so they can make travel plans.

Rent a sound system to allow guests to hear the wedding ceremony. If possible, get a wireless lapel microphone so the officiant does not have to hold anything during the ceremony, and also have available a hand-held microphone for anybody else who will be speaking.

Plan the wedding music. A small group of musicians can turn a simple gazebo wedding into a very classy affair, and friends and family are often quite willing to contribute their musical skills to a wedding ceremony. Another simple option is to use prerecorded music played through a sound system.

Acquire any additional items that will be needed on site for the gazebo wedding ceremony. These can include chairs if guests will be sitting, a gift table and lighting for an evening ceremony.

Plan decorations for the wedding gazebo. Since the gazebo itself is a beautiful structure, it is easy to add decorations to its frame. White tulle and artificial ivy are a classic gazebo decoration, and fresh or silk flowers in the wedding colors can add a special touch.

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