You can’t wait to marry your best friend, to celebrate your love in front of all your closest friends and family. But, when you think about all the weddings you’ve been to, the reception halls and chapels, the same old traditions, you feel…bored. You and your partner love adventure and the great outdoors, and you want an averturous wedding day that reflects that passion and sense of fun. Well, it may sound daunting, but an adventurous wedding is far from impossible. In fact, it’s becoming more and more common, as couples skip the traditional church wedding to say their vows in the mountains or on the shore of a lake. Check out these tips for planning an adventurous wedding that will make you and your soon-to-be-spouse eager to say “I do”!
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Let go of tradition for an adventurous wedding.
Don’t stick with the usual wedding traditions just because you feel like you should. If you want to skip the bouquet toss or the cake cutting, then skip it! Your wedding is about you and your partner, and the day should reflect your unique personalities. This is a great time to start a new tradition, one that holds meaning for both of you. Wedding planning becomes way more fun once you realize you can choose what the day looks and feels like!
Pick the perfect spot to say “I do.”
You probably have a vision in mind for your wedding day—an idea of how your ceremony will look or your ideal reception layout. That’s why the location you chose for your wedding is so important. Not only will it be in all your photos, but it’ll be part of your memories of that day. Brainstorm with your partner about places you’ve been that you absolutely loved or maybe even somewhere you’ve never been but dream of exploring. Having an adventurous wedding is all about the journey, so don’t be afraid of a little hiking to get that stunning view!
Choose the right season for you—and know the risks.
A winter wedding can be gorgeous, but sudden snow can keep your guests from getting to the venue, while an outdoor wedding in the summer can subject everyone to blistering heat. You should choose the time of year that’s right for you as a couple, but it’s important to be aware of the hazards that each season presents for a averturous wedding.
If you want to keep it safe, go for a wedding date in between seasons, like spring/summer or summer/fall. This way, you can avoid the temperature extremes that come in the middle of summer or winter and still have beautiful images of your chosen location. And regardless of season, it’s always a good idea to have a solid Plan B, just in case the unexpected happens. This is especially important when it comes to outdoor weddings, as you never know what kind of weather could force your party indoors.
For an Adventurous Wedding – Try to keep it small.
Adventurous weddings are often designed to be intimate events. After all, there’s a good chance only your closest family and friends would follow you up a mountain to watch you exchange vows! If you’re going for a wedding outside the norm in a stunning location, think about who you need there and who you could celebrate with at a later date. With Mother Nature as a witness, your wedding day is guaranteed to be epic, so consider keeping the guest list small and sharing the moment with the most important people in your lives.
Assemble the best team.
To pull off an adventurous wedding, you’ll need to choose vendors who are up for the challenge. Not every caterer is willing to trek through the woods to help with your reception dinner, so make sure to discuss your unique wedding needs with every vendor you interview.
And to get those amazing images you dream of, take time to choose the right photographer who’s willing to go the extra mile—sometimes literally! You need someone who loves adventure just as much as you do and isn’t afraid of lugging their equipment across rocky terrain, creeks, and even snow. Put some extra effort into searching for a photographer who can capture the images you want, especially since your photos will be one of the few mementos you’ll have once the wedding day is over.
No matter how you define adventure, with a little thought and a lot of planning, you can pull off an adventurous wedding that you’ll look back on with smiles for the rest of your lives! Don’t be afraid to step away from the normal wedding traditions and expectations and create a ceremony and day that’s entirely your own.
Check out some of our favorite wedding venues in New York, New Jersey and the Hudson Valley below:
