Outdoor wedding receptions allow you to use your imagination to the max and provide you with an endless supply of ideas and freedom to have your reception exactly as you would like it to be. Of course, the best solution is your own backyard, but you can also hold an outdoor wedding in a number of different locations.

The only downside to an outdoor wedding reception is that you are at the mercy of Mother Nature. However, with careful planning and the right accessories, even adverse weather conditions can be overcome (unless we're talking a major tempest!)

Outdoor Reception Ideas

Although an outdoor reception is usually much more relaxed and allows you to be more creative, it still requires careful planning so that everything goes off without a hitch.

Here is a to-do list of things you may with to consider:

• Rent your gazebo or tent as early as possible. Make sure you confirm your rental date to ensure you get the best the rental facility has to offer at the best price.

• Rent tables and chairs. It is cheaper to rent the table and chairs and set them up yourself.

• Get regular updates on weather conditions. Remember you will need a contingency plan in case the weather conditions do not permit an outdoor celebration.

• Organise miscellaneous items like extension cords, lighting etc.

• Hire and confirm a DJ or band, or ensure you have the music organized well before the big day.

• Plan your menu and caterer if required. If you will be doing your own catering, you will need to get yourself organized well in advance and know who is cooking what.

• Check whether you need a permit to serve alcohol.

• Talk to your neighbours. The last thing you need on your wedding day is the neighbours complaining about the noise or the parking situation if you are holding your reception in a residential area.

Outdoor Wedding Reception Food Ideas

The possibilities for the kind of food to serve at an outdoor reception are endless. You may want to have it catered, but if you wish to save money on your reception and do-it-yourself, you could consider some of the following ideas:

• Have a casual reception and serve barbecue items such as hamburgers, ribs and chicken. Your guests can be invited to forego a gift and instead contribute something towards your feast. Be sure to confirm beforehand what people intend bringing so you have variety.

• Serve a hot and cold buffet that you have prepared beforehand. Of course, hot foods will have to be cooked or heated on the day, so you will need to delegate chef duties to a friend or family member. You can serve vegetable, cheese, fruit and meat dishes with dips and fresh bread, with other snacks rather than hosting a huge meal. This is a good choice for vegetarians.

• Host a themed wedding reception (you can refer to our section on themed wedding receptions) and choose foods accordingly. For example, you may choose an Italian theme and serve pasta and pizza.

• Drinks can be the most expensive component of an outdoor wedding reception, but if you choose a casual approach, offer beer, wine and soda, such as mineral water. Champagne is usually only required for the toasts, so you can save money by only buying a limited number of bottles of champagne exclusively for the toasts.

• If you choose to serve mixed drinks, buy in bulk from a wholesaler.

• An alcoholic punch is a cheaper alternative to having an open bar for mixed drinks. A fresh, fruity punch served in a huge punchbowl is a refreshingly light alternative for your guests.

Outdoor Wedding Photography

With all the digital cameras and recorders available now, it is easier and cheaper than ever to get professional looking photographs of your outdoor wedding. These days it's likely someone you know has the photo-technology to reproduce professional images of your wedding from their computer!

If you plan on hiring a professional photographer or videographer, you can arrange to limit the number of photos taken or make a deal to get the negatives at a special discount rate so you can have them developed later.

A fun idea is to place disposable cameras on each table and have your guests take their own snapshots for you. You can get discount wedding cameras at affordable prices from TheWeddingCenter.com.