Tips for a Spring Wedding in a Botanic Garden

A spring wedding in a botanic garden is a delightful and popular ceremony. While couples usually choose such a wedding for the outdoor feel in lush green and flower-filled gardens, they may also like it because it could keep your wedding costs low depending on how and where they get married.

In any case, arranging a spring wedding in a botanic garden can be quite different from having one in a chapel or a hotel. There are many little details one should keep in mind. Here are some tips you may find useful.

-Finding the right botanic garden: Prepare a list of invitees. Once you know how many people will attend, find out a botanic garden that can accommodate your wedding party. Make sure they provide gazebos, trellises and arches to serve as the focal point for your wedding. Ensure that they have well equipped restrooms and private-rooms for the groom and the bride to get some last minute make-up touches.

-Picking the day of the wedding: Find out if the botanic garden is open to public on all days of the week. Pick your spring wedding date such that you have the least thoroughfare on that day. Ensure that the garden does not have any programs or special shows that can attract crowds on your wedding day.

-Parking arrangements: Find out about parking availability. Have the staff reserve several spots for you and your guests. If that is likely to be insufficient find out about available overflow parking lots in the vicinity of the botanic garden.

-Prepare for the weather: When you pick your spring wedding day, you will not have any idea what weather you will encounter. So plan for heat and rains. Make sure there are tents or gazebos available to take shelter in case of a shower. Plan your locales such that at the time of the wedding, the sun will be on your backs rather than on your faces.

-Mind the wind: A typical spring day can be quite windy. So arrange to have your tables and food laid out in a less wind-prone area. Pin the table cloth to the table to avoid embarrassing mishaps.

-Finding the right caterer: When you fix a caterer check if he/she regularly caters to outdoor weddings. Make sure the menu you design will hold up well in a hot or a rainy weather. Alcohol can be quite dehydrating - so include lemonades and punches in your menu.

-Beware of bugs and rodents: Find out from the garden staff about bugs and rodents you may encounter. Prepare to use bug-sprays or zappers if required.

-Wedding outfits: Make sure the outfits are tailored for the outdoors. Too much wind can make light silk or chiffon fluttery and uncomfortable. Use hair spray to keep your style intact in the wind. Avoid shoes with pointed heels as they can get stuck in the muddy ground.

-Plan the photographs: Find out about which flowers are likely to be in bloom on the day of your wedding. Get your photographer to visit the garden in advance and plan the locales where you would like to shoot pictures and video.

-Keep your guests informed: Keep your guests informed about the locale and the weather conditions so that they can come properly dressed for the occasion without any surprises.

We kept all these tips in mind and pulled off a spectacular show at my cousin's spring wedding at the Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, MD despite mild showers and constant gaggling of the geese that day. The garden's vibrant tulips, majestic fountains and shrubbery made it look like a wedding in paradise!