Index

A

Accidents, 84–86

Adams, John Quincy, 60

Aerial nuptials, 274–76

Air conditioners, 45–46, 48–49, 156

Aisle, 127–28, 221–22

Aisle runner, 128, 221–22

Alcoholic beverages, 86–87, 112–13, 172, 177–78, 265

Allergies, 64

Altar, 127–28

Alternate sites, 49–51, 64–65, 236

American Rental Association, 48

Antique automobiles, 268–73

Appointments, keeping, 256–57

Arches, 124–25, 127–28

Architectural elements, 124–25, 127–28

Autumn weddings, 22

B

Backup plans

for backyard weddings, 76

for beach weddings, 62

for foul weather, 43–58, 236–38, 252–54, 261

Backyard weddings, 75–89

Bands, 162–65

Bartender, 172

Beach pests, 35

Beach weddings, 60–62

Beauty appointments, 256–57

Beauty emergencies, 248–49

Beauty tips, 40–41

Bees, 33–34, 64

Beverages, 86–87, 112–13, 172, 177–78, 265

Birds, 35–36, 62

Birdseed, 70

Bridal attire, 67, 101, 111, 217–34

Bridal boutiques, 219

Bridal consignment stores, 220

Bridal gown, 218–22, 288

Bridal gown preservation, 288

Bridal train, 221–22

Bridesmaids, 226–28

Bridges, 124

Budget, 8–10, 76–78, 94, 185–86

Buffet, 176, 178

Bugs, 33–35

C

Casual attire, 226, 230–31, 233. See also Informal weddings

Caterers, 67, 89, 169–75

Cell phones, 30, 247

Ceremony

day of, 141–51, 251–68

focus of, 144

involving guests in, 149–51

length of, 141–42

music for, 146–49

officiant for, 138–41, 244

readings for, 142–43

rituals for, 142–43

sites for, 3–4, 12–13, 289–305

sound system for, 144–46

style of, 138–39, 141–43

Children, 151, 228, 246

Civil ceremony, 139

Civil twilight, 166

Cleanup, 87–89, 277–88

Clergy members, 139

Cocktails, 112–13. See also Alcoholic beverages

Cold weather, 22–24, 26

Commitment, 287

Confetti, 70

Contingency plans

for backyard weddings, 76

for beach weddings, 62

for foul weather, 9, 43–58, 236–38, 252–54, 261

Contracts, 70–71

Costs, 8–10, 76–78, 94, 185–86

Countdown, 235–50

Craft ideas, 132–35

Cruise-ship weddings, 97–99

D

Dance floors, 161–62

Dancing, 161–65

Decorations, 10, 121–35, 168, 248

Desserts, 180. See also Wedding cake

Destination weddings

advantages of, 92–93

cruise-ship weddings, 97–99

disadvantages of, 94

events surrounding, 103–5

guests at, 99–100

planning for, 100–103

popular choices for, 91, 95, 101, 275

possibilities for, 91–92

selecting, 95–97

Digital photography, 6, 194–95

Dining outdoors, 170–71

Dinnerware, 171

Directions to site, 30–31, 210, 212

Disney theme parks, 65, 66

Distractions, 33–37, 144

DJs, 145, 162–65

Do-it-yourself event, 78–84

Dogs, 36

DRYDAY Planning

Forecasts, 20

E

E-mail guest list, 55–56, 250

Egan, Carolyn, 20–21

Electrical power, 10, 45–46, 145–46, 156

Elopement, 93, 94

Emergency contact sheet, 245, 247, 307–10

Emergency kit, 247–49

Emergency precaution checklist, 85

Emotions, 150, 238, 258

Entrances, 263–76

Evening reception, 165–67

Event coordinators, 78, 80

F

Fall weddings, 22

Fans, 46, 156

Faraway weddings. See Destination weddings

Favors, 88, 104, 132, 134–35, 282–85

Feng shui, 123–24

Final countdown, 235–50

Final decisions, 252–54

Final details, 238–42, 288

Final preparations, 257–58

Flies, 34–35

Floods, 27

Floral arrangements, 10, 63–64

Flower girl, 228, 246

Focus, 144

Folklore, 19–20

Food safety, 176–77

Foreign locations, 91, 95, 102. See also Destination weddings

Foul weather, 15–16, 25–28, 52–54. See also Weather concerns

Foul-weather gear, 44–46, 247–48

G

Garden weddings, 63–65

Gazebos, 124, 127, 155

Getaway wedding, 92–94.

See also Destination weddings

Good-byes, 285–86

Grand entrance, 263–76

Groom’s attire, 228–32

Groomsmen, 230–31

Guests

arrival of, 266

attire for, 39, 232–33

comfort of, 37–40

communicating with, 54–57, 117–18, 208–12, 249–50, 255–56

and destination weddings, 99–100

e-mailing, 55–56, 250

forewarning, 38–39

invitations for, 54–55, 111–12, 117–18, 201–15

involving, 149–51

number to invite, 37–38

thanking, 285–86

transportation for, 30–33, 264–68

H

Hair-care supplies, 223, 248

Hair styles, 222–25

Heat waves, 21, 24, 26

Heaters, 45–46, 48–49

Historic properties, 65–67

Home weddings, 75–89

Honeymoon, 88, 262

Horoscopes, 20–21

Horse-drawn carriages, 268–73

Hot weather, 21, 24, 26

Hurricanes, 27

I

Illumination, 166–67

Inclement weather, 15–16, 25–28, 52–54. See also Weather concerns

Inclement-weather gear, 44–46, 247–48

Indoor reception, 168

Informal weddings, 10, 12, 39. See also Casual attire

Injuries, 84–86

Insects, 33–35, 64

Instruments, 147–49

Insurance, 9, 57, 86

Interactive invitations, 214–15

Interfaith marriages, 7, 141

Intimate atmospheres, 158–60

Invitation enclosures, 210–12

Invitation themes, 111–12, 117–18, 201, 204–8

Invitations, 54–57, 111–12, 117–18, 201–15

J, K, L

Joining Hands and Hearts, 7

Keepsakes, 133, 142–43

Lake settings, 98–99

Las Vegas, 91, 95, 101, 275

Last-minute decisions, 252–54

Leaf pressings, 134, 142

Leftovers, 89, 285

Legalities, 71, 101–2, 138–39, 141, 261

Liability, 84–86

Lighting, 166–67

Limited-access sites, 31–33

Limousines, 268, 273–74

Liquor liability, 86

Live music, 146–49, 162–65

Local lore, 111–12

Locations

beach weddings, 60–62

destination weddings, 91–105

garden weddings, 63–65

historic properties, 65–67

permission for using, 4, 69–71

public places, 12–13, 67–69

questions to ask, 71–74

selecting, 3–4, 58–74

by state, 289–305

M

Macomb, Susanna

Stefanachi, 7

Maps, 30–31, 210, 212

Marriage laws, 101–2, 138–39

Marriage license, 71, 141, 261

Memories, 4–6, 196–97, 262

Menus, 175–78

Microphones, 145–46

Mosquitoes, 34

Music, at ceremony, 146–49

Music, at reception, 161–65

Musical selections, 148

N

National Park Service, 66

Natural elements, 132–33

Nervousness, 258

Night-time receptions, 165–67

O

Officiants, 138–41, 244

Old Farmer’s Almanac, 20

Onlookers, 36–37

Outdoor conditions, 40–41.

See also Weather concerns

Outdoor dining, 170–71

Outdoor pests, 33–36

Outdoor rooms, 158–60

P

Parking concerns, 31–33, 83, 167, 264–65

Parking illumination, 167

Passersby, 36–37

Paths, 127–28. See also Aisle

Patio, 155, 158–59

Peak wedding months, 9, 21–22

Period costumes, 67. See also Theme weddings

Permissions, 4, 69–71

Permits, 68, 69

Pests, 33–36

Pets, 36

Photography

of altar space, 129

black-and-white photos, 192–93

costs for, 185–86

creative effects for, 192–95

digital photography, 194–95

family photos, 5, 190, 195

and foul weather, 52–54

informal photos, 5

and makeup, 191–92

natural light for, 5–6

poses for, 5, 188–89

professional

photographers, 52, 183–87

proofs, 188

scheduling, 188–90

and shadows, 190–91

shot list for, 195–96

special effects, 193–94

and sunlight, 129

and videography, 196–200

and wedding memories, 4–6

Photojournalism, 52, 184

Pitfalls to avoid, 29–42

Place cards, 134

Planning wedding events, 78–84, 100–103. See also

Wedding planners

Planting ceremony, 142

Popular destination

locations, 91, 95, 101, 275

Popular wedding months, 9, 21–22

Popular wedding themes, 108

Popularity of outdoor weddings, 11–12

Post-wedding events, 14, 87–89, 103–4, 277–88

Postponing wedding, 27, 51–52

Pre-wedding details, 238–42

Pre-wedding events, 14, 103–4

Precipitation averages, 24

Private moments, 259–60

Professional help, 80–81.

See also Wedding planners

Property insurance, 86

Public places, 12–13, 67–69

R

Radio communication, 30, 247

Rain date, 27, 51–52

Rainy weather, 15, 16, 25, 27–28. See also Weather concerns

Reasons for outdoor

weddings, xi, 1–14

Reception

dancing at, 161–65

evening reception, 165–67

indoor reception, 168

intimate reception, 158–60

music for, 161–65

restrooms for, 156–58

shelters for, 154–56

sites for, 7, 10, 153–68

and weather concerns, 154–55

Rehearsals, 243–47

Relaxation, 242, 262

Religious ceremony, 139, 141

Remembrances, 150

Remote sites, 30–33

Rental equipment, 8–9, 31–32, 41, 45, 48–51, 81–82

Rental equipment checklist, 81–82

Rental facilities, 49–51

Renting transportation, 32

Restrictions, 31–32, 70

Restroom facilities, 156–58

Rice-throwing, 70

Ring bearer, 246

River settings, 98–99

RSVPs, 213, 214

S

Save-the-date cards, 8, 54, 117, 201–4

Seasonal changes, 130–32

Seasonal weddings, 21–23

Seating arrangements, 125–27, 178

Settings

beach weddings, 60–62

garden weddings, 63–65

historic properties, 65–67

permission for using, 4, 69–71

public places, 12–13, 67–69

questions to ask, 71–74

selecting, 58–74

types of, 60–69

Severe weather, 27. See also Weather concerns Shelters, 9, 45–50, 64–65, 154–56

Shoes, 44–45

Shuttles, 264–65

Site possibilities

beach weddings, 60–62

destination weddings, 91–105

garden weddings, 63–65

historic properties, 65–67

permission for using, 4, 69–71

public places, 12–13, 67–69

questions to ask, 71–74

selecting, 3–4, 58–74

by state, 289–305

Site preparation, 240

Site restrictions, 31–32, 70

Site usage contract, 70–71

Site usage fees, 9, 10, 68

Site usage permissions, 4, 69–71

Smiling, 27–28, 242, 259

Snakes, 36

“Something blue,” 60

Song selections, 148. See also Music

Sound issues, 41–42, 62, 144–49

Sound systems, 145–46

Special-needs guests, 32–33

Spring weddings, 22

Stormy weather, 15, 16, 27.

See also Weather concerns Stress, 242, 258

Summer weddings, 21–22

Sunlight, 129, 190–91

Sunrise, 130

Sunset, 130, 166

Superstitions, 20, 188–89

T

Table centerpieces, 88, 134–35

Table lighting, 134, 167

Tarps, 45

Taxi service, 87

Temperatures, 21–24, 26.

See also Weather concerns

Tents, 9, 45–50, 64–65, 155, 168

Thank-you notes, 88, 135, 280, 286

Theme accessories, 113–15

Theme conflicts, 115–17

Theme foods, 112–13

Theme invitations, 111–12, 117–18, 201, 204–8

Theme parks, 65, 66

Theme weddings, 7–8, 67, 108–19

Thomas, Robert B., 20

Toasts, 177, 195

Tornadoes, 27

Trains, 221–22

Transportation, 30–33, 94, 96, 99–100, 264–68

Transportation timeline, 268

Travel, 94, 96, 99–100

Trellises, 124

Tuxedos, 228–31, 288

Twain, Mark, 16

Twilight, 166

U, V

Umbrellas, 44–45

Veils, 224–25

Videography, 196–200

Vows, exchanging, 144–46

Vows, writing, 143

W

Walkie-talkies, 30, 247

Weather and seasons, 21–24

Weather concerns

conquering fears over, 16–17

and contingency plans, 9, 43–58, 236–38, 252–54, 261

and destination weddings, 102–3

and dining outdoors, 171, 178–79

emergency kit for, 247–48

and extreme weather, 25–27

gear for, 44–46, 247–48

obsession with, 243

and photographs, 52–54

and rain dates, 27, 51–52

for reception, 154–55

and seasons, 21–23

and unpredictable

weather, 15, 27–28

and wedding day, 252–54

Weather forecasting, 17–21

Weather gear, 44–46, 247–48

Weather statistics, 23–24

Wedding announcements, 93

Wedding attire, 67, 101, 111, 217–34

Wedding cake, 179–81

Wedding ceremony, 138–51.

See also Ceremony

Wedding colors, 63, 116–17

Wedding day, 251–68. See also Ceremony

Wedding day supplies, 247–49

Wedding gown, 218–22, 288

Wedding gown preservation, 288

Wedding insurance, 9, 57, 86

Wedding night, 262

Wedding planners, 78, 80

Wedding reception. See Reception

Wedding themes. See Theme weddings

Wedding trends, 11–14

Windy weather, 25, 27, 171, 223–24. See also Weather concerns

Winter weddings, 22–23

Written permissions, 70–71

Written plans, 244–45