There’s something so magical about forest wedding.
Forest weddings keep getting more and more popular. No wonder: this goes hand in hand with the growing popularity of Boho style together with the urgent need to get out the stress and rush of the big city. There is always something very magical about exchanging your vows while being surrounded by woods, moss and charming shades and sound of nature. However, creating an inviting space for guests in the forest is easier said than done. If you´ve decided the skip your wedding reception in the City Hall, a hotel or any other on-site venue and you are ready to tight the knot in a fairy-tale atmosphere, here are some tips which you might consider while planning your big day:
The place itself
Naturally, the first thing you will need to do is find a perfect spot. In Canada and in the USA, many resorts offer nearby woodland settings for wedding ceremonies. In the Czech Republic, this is still not so popular, but more and more venues, especially newly built or reconstructed farmhouses, have started to offer such possibilities, too. I highly recommend to search for similar venues: it will definitely save you lot of energy and grey hair and you can have your wedding reception at the venue. If you have fallen for a specific place which is not part of any venue and you would like to plan your wedding ceremony there, you should take into consideration next tips.
Owner of the place
Always check in prior who is the owner of the land you would like to use as a place for exchanging your vows. The mayor of the nearest town can help you find out this information. In addition, to be 100 per cent sure that you can use the spot, ask Forest Management if the space is public and if it is permitted to use it. Some places can be forbidden to even visit due to endangered fauna and flora.
Nearby venue
Search for a nearby venue where you can hold the reception and after-party. Set this venue as your backstage for your preparation. Also make sure that there are hotels or venues for your guests in the near vicinity. If your dreamy woody spot is in the middle of nowhere, it can be difficult logistically. Don’t forget to order a transportation company from and to all the locations of your wedding day.
Transportation and entrance
Unless you want to have intimate ceremony with only few guests, think of following questions:
How will the furniture (chairs / wedding arch / décor) be transported?
How will the guests get there? How far will they need to walk?
What exactly will be needed for the elderly and kids? Are they going to walk or is there an option to use a vehicle?
Is it possible for the officiant to administer the vows at this place?
In case of bad weather, what is the plan B?
Audio-visual equipment
A wedding ceremony in the forest is usually conducted without A/V, as the nature creates the perfect background sound. If you would like to have the bride walk down the wooden aisle in the sound of nature and you plan to have intimate or small wedding ceremony, you are not going to need lot of technical equipment, and you should be fine with portable devices which should last (don’t forget to charge them, just saying:).
If you are planning a larger ceremony and the space itself allows, an A/V equipment supplier should offer a solution for how to transfer and set up larger technical equipment, since there are no electricity sockets in the woods.
Décor
When Mother Nature is your event designer, there’s really no need for a lot of additional decoration. Bring just a few flowers and the scenery will be breath-taking. Use can also use some lanterns, but be very careful: if the wind blows them away and the candle falls out, it can cause a fire. You can use the LED lanterns / candles instead.
High heeled shoes and dresses
Never, ever forget to repeat many times that the ceremony is going to take place in the woods. When guests think about attending a wedding, they naturally think about an indoor venue and formal attire. Stress the importance of flat shoes and appropriate dress, especially to those who are keen to wear heels.
Venues with nearby woodland settings usually offer to put down a carpet at the entrance and the aisle leading to the wedding arch to make it easier and safer for everyone´s ankles.
Dismantling
Please note that you are in nature. You should hire a cleaning agency who will dismantle and clean the place properly after your wedding.
Toilets, water stations and animals
These topics are fully covered in another post, which is dedicated to outdoor events. You can find it by clicking here.
” …and into the woods I go to loose my mind and find my soul…”
John Muir
