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Without a doubt, outdoor weddings are dreamy! There is something so romantic and beautiful about letting the scenery of the outdoors be the backdrop for your special day. Aesthetically, outdoor weddings produce some of the most beautiful wedding images I've ever seen. And the Texas landscape has no shortage of locations to set your wedding stage -- from beaches to botanical gardens, and even hilltops. 

However, planning an outdoor wedding in Texas is not for the weak! It can be a downright logistical nightmare. For starters, you need to consider the weather on your wedding day. All of your efforts to plan an outside wedding will go down the drain if it suddenly rains, and you're left without any backup plans. 

But if your heart is set on having a gorgeous outdoor wedding in Texas, fret not because there are many ways to battle the weather and other unforeseen outdoor elements.

7 Things to Keep in Mind When Planning an Outdoor Wedding in Texas

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1. Planning Your Outdoor Wedding's Plan B

It may never rain in southern California (cool points if you get the song reference!), but this is Texas! When planning an outdoor wedding in Texas (or anywhere in the country for that matter), you MUST have a backup plan. Between heat waves, cold fronts, hurricanes, floods, and baseball-size critters, Texas is no place to just wing it. Thus, having a "Plan B" is a must if you want your outdoor wedding in Texas to succeed. 

What If It Rains on Your Outdoor Wedding?

The ideal solution would be to choose a venue that has an indoor area or areas where your wedding ceremony and reception can take place in case of inclement weather. If you were planning to have an outdoor wedding ceremony and an indoor wedding reception and the weather precludes you from going outside, you can see if the venue has an indoor space to hold your wedding ceremony. 

Alternatively, you could use the indoor reception area to hold your wedding ceremony. Reception tables can be scooted to the back of the room to create a dedicated space for the wedding ceremony. Or you could leave the tables in place with guests seated at their designated places and have the ceremony in an open space, such as the dance floor.

Utilizing a tent is another option. However, this solution is only suitable for light to moderate rain storms. A heavy rain could soak the ground underneath, leaving guests with soggy and muddy shoes. Make sure any tent you rent or buy is sturdy so it won't flip over, and that it has thick and weighted sides.

Rain is never pleasant on your wedding day, but with a little pre-planning, the presence of rain does not have to ruin your wedding.

7 Things To Keep in Mind When Planning an Outdoor Wedding in Texas

Katherine O'Brien Photography

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2. Planning Around Weather and Picking the Best Time of Year to Get Married Outside in Texas

When planning an outdoor wedding in Texas, be sure to pick a date and time where the temperature does not leave your guests melting in the sun or freezing their bums off. 

What Is the Best Time of Year for an Outdoor Wedding in Texas? 

When holding an outdoor wedding, it's best to schedule it during the spring months of March and April and in the fall months of October and November. These times of the year provide ideal temperatures (65 to 80 F) suitable for an outdoor wedding. 

What Is the Best Month To Get Married in Texas?

Since the heat is unbearable during summer in Texas, the spring and fall months are your best options. You can also choose to get married in January because the winter months are usually mild in Texas (depending on where in the state you are located). Additionally, few social events take place in January, allowing you to score discounts from wedding suppliers. 

What Is the Best Time of Day For an Outdoor Wedding?

The best time of day for an outdoor wedding is late in the afternoon, around 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM, depending on how long the ceremony will take. 

7 Things To Keep in Mind When Planning an Outdoor Wedding in Texas

Morgan Lamkin Photography

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3. Too Hot to Handle

Even with choosing an ideal time to have your outdoor wedding in Texas you have to be prepared for unseasonable weather changes. 

How Hot Is Too Hot for an Outdoor Wedding?

If a heat wave swoops in and the temperature reaches 80 degrees or higher, it may be uncomfortable for guests. But you don't have to let unplanned weather changes ruin your outdoor wedding dreams. Be prepared with the following tips:

Check out these amazing ceremony program fans. These are guaranteed to keep your guests cool.  

7 Things To Keep in Mind When Planning an Outdoor Wedding in Texas

J. Cogliandro Photography

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4. Too Cold to Hold

In that same vein, if a cold front cools down your outdoor wedding plans there are steps you can take to make you and your wedding guests comfortable. 

How Cold Is Too Cold For an Outdoor Wedding?

Wedding planners caution that temperatures below 65 degrees are too cold for an outside wedding in Texas. Fortunately, you can keep your wedding party and guests warm by offering complimentary wraps or shawls to shield them from the cold. In addition, consider renting or buying heat lamps so that your guests can dine and dance in comfort.

These gorgeous shawls come in multiple colors to coordinate with any wedding color scheme. Be sure to check them out if you're considering shawls for your wedding party or wedding guests.

7 Things To Keep in Mind When Planning an Outdoor Wedding in Texas

La Dolce Vita Photography

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5. Gone with the Wind.

Many outdoor weddings in Texas suffer from windy conditions. Avoid windy wedding day disasters by incorporating these tips:

  • Tell your hairstylist that you'll be having an outdoor wedding so s/he can plan a style that won't leave you looking like Cousin It!

  • If you're wearing a veil, make sure that it is securely placed in your hair. You do not want your veil to fly off in the middle of the ceremony only to have one of your bridesmaids start running frantically to catch it. Don't laugh, I have seen it!

  • If using tablecloths on your reception tables, be sure to add tiny weights to them to prevent them from blowing away in the breeze.

7 Things To Keep in Mind When Planning an Outdoor Wedding in Texas

Julie Wilhite Photography

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6. Keeping the Bugs Away on Your Wedding Day

Making sure that the weather isn't too hot or too cold on your wedding day is just one element when planning for an outdoor wedding in Texas. Once you've addressed all weather-related issues, you'll have to address another Texas staple--bugs! Keeping bugs away on your big day is a must as you don't want your guests to spend most of their time swatting critters rather than focusing on the wedding ceremony, right?

How Do I Keep Flies Away From My Outdoor Wedding?

One of the easiest tactics to keep flies and other bugs away from your outdoor wedding is to place citronella candles around your entire event venue.

Bug spray is also another effective tactic for keeping bugs off your skin and clothes. If you're having an outdoor wedding and are concerned about bugs pestering your guests, you can provide individually sized bug sprays to your guests by placing them in their welcome baskets or passing them out as wedding favors before the ceremony.

Finally, you should also be careful when picking flowers for your outdoor wedding because some varieties attract bugs more than others. To ensure that your wedding venue is bug-free, incorporate lemon balm, lavender, citronella, and marigolds in your floral decor. These flowers repel insects and will keep your wedding venue free from them. 

Blooms By The Box


How Do I Protect My Wedding Cake From Bugs Outside?

To protect your wedding cake from bugs, hang fans in your tent or place the food in areas where guests will be eating. You can also light citronella candles and tiki torches where the food is served.

7 Things To Keep in Mind When Planning an Outdoor Wedding in Texas

Addison Studios

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7. Informing Your Guests About Your Outdoor Wedding

A final piece of advice about holding an outdoor wedding in Texas is to inform your guests ahead of time that you're holding the event outdoors. The sooner you give out details about your wedding, the easier it'll be for your guests to find the right attire for your outdoor wedding.

7 Things To Keep in Mind When Planning an Outdoor Wedding in Texas

Claire Miranda Photography

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Planning an Outdoor Wedding in Texas May Seem Risky, But it is Worth It!

Planning an outdoor wedding in Texas is challenging, but with a few key planning tactics, you can make it a success! If you're eyeing to hold an outdoor wedding in Texas, bookmark this article and come back to it over the planning process to ensure you're covering all of your bases.

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