Even if you want to have a formal wedding indoors, choosing to have the reception outdoors can be a great excuse for everyone to let their hair down and really celebrate once the knot has been tied. However, there are things that go along with planning an outdoor wedding or reception that you might not think of if you’ve never done it before. If you’re planning your own wedding, keep these helpful tips in mind.

Follow the rules

Before deciding on an outdoor venue, find out if you’ll need a permit to hold your wedding or reception there, or if there are any special rules you need to follow. If you plan to serve alcohol at your reception, this is especially important, as many parks and beaches do not allow alcohol or require special permits. If you do your research before you finalize your plans, you’re less likely to end up with unexpected and unwanted surprises later on.

Keep track of additional costs

You may think you’ll save money by not renting a room, but that’s not necessarily true. You will need to provide many things for an outdoor reception that could come along with an indoor hall. For example, you’ll need portable toilets for your guests and portable stages for the band. A reception hall may provide tables and chairs, but in an outdoor setting, you’ll need to rent them.

While none of these costs should stop you if you have your heart set on an outdoor wedding, you should definitely take them into account when planning your budget. If your only reason for planning an outdoor reception is to save money, you may want to reconsider indoor venues.

Have a backup plan

No one wants to deal with rain on their wedding day, but when you’re planning an outdoor wedding or reception, the possibility of rain is especially problematic. However, there are a couple of things you can do to minimize the risk of you and your guests getting drenched in an unexpected downpour.

• You can choose an outdoor location that has a clubhouse or lounge on the grounds that you can use in case of rain.

• You can choose an outdoor location with a pavilion or other outdoor shelter. If you do this, make sure the available shelters provide enough space for all of your guests.

• Tents can be rented and pitched in case of bad weather.

Keep your guests comfortable

Remember that as the party host, you have a responsibility to make sure your guests are comfortable and enjoying themselves. If you’re expecting 90-degree weather, keep cold water bottles handy. If you’re in an area where mosquitoes are prevalent, be sure to invest in citronella candles or other bug-repellent devices.

Remember that not all of your guests may be familiar with the location. Let them know in advance if they need to bring comfortable shoes and casual clothes to change into after the wedding. Suggest sunscreen if it’s going to be a bright sunny day.

provide transportation

If your reception venue is far from the wedding venue, or if it’s particularly remote or difficult to access, you can make life a lot easier for your guests by providing transportation from the wedding to the reception. If you’re having a lot of guests out of town, you might consider hiring a shuttle to take them from their hotels to the wedding venue and back. It will add to the total cost of your wedding, but guests may be more willing to fly to your wedding if they don’t have to rent a car or rely on the local taxi service.