There is something magical about outdoor weddings… The soft light of the sunset, a gentle breeze, the scent of flowers and that special moment when you say “I do” under the open sky. As a wedding planner, I can say one thing – these are some of the most beautiful, but also the most carefully planned events.
If you too dream of such a wedding, let me tell you honestly – with love and experience – what awaits you.
Why does everyone fall in love with outdoor weddings?
True romance…
Nature does not need much decoration. It is already the perfect decor. Imagine a ceremony under an arch of flowers, with a view of the mountain or the sea… This is an emotion that lasts forever.
Outdoor weddings have no frames. You can choose a style – boho, elegant, vintage or completely unconventional. Everything is built around your story as a couple.
When choosing the color scheme of your wedding decoration, you do not take into account the interior of the hall or restaurant, but you choose it with your heart and soul.
Photos that tell a tale…
There is no studio lighting that can replace natural light. The “golden hour” turns every frame into magic – and believe me, these are the photos that you will return to again and again. And the background – whether it is cool pine trees or enchanting waves, or why not the muted lights from the pool of some boutique complex… a castle or a chalet… The possibilities are many and always wonderful.
Guests relax much more easily. The laughter is louder, the conversations – warmer, and the evening flows naturally, without the feeling of a strictly official event.
Freedom for the youngest guests – the little ones… These tireless mischievous ones will be able to run around freely, bury their bare feet in the grass (or in the sand if it’s a beach wedding) or simply roll around, while their parents will have the opportunity to hug and dance under the stars…
And many more… many… reasons I could list for outdoor weddings
But let’s also pay attention to the small challenges that we shouldn’t underestimate
I say this with care to every couple – the beauty of an outdoor wedding comes with responsibility.
Weather – our most unpredictable guest...
No matter how much we plan, nature has the last word. That’s why I always insist on a plan B – an elegant tent or an alternative space. This is not a compromise, but peace of mind.
The organization behind the scenes is not to be underestimated, especially if you have chosen the perfect meadow or beach, where no one will bother you.
Behind every beautiful outdoor wedding there is serious logistics – electricity, lighting, catering equipment, food preparation facilities, sanitary conditions. These are things that are not visible, but are key to the perfect day.
Last but not least and of great importance… the budget… it may surprise you. Many couples think that an outdoor wedding is more economical. The truth is that it is often the opposite – because of equipment rental, transportation and construction of podiums, tents, starry sky, etc. But there is something more…
My philosophy is simple – if the guests feel good, you will be calm too. That is why we think about shade, blankets for the evening, repellents, comfortable seating and easy access to the location.
And have you ever thought about the restrictions that come with the location. Some places have rules – about noise, hours or decoration. This means that you will have to make compromises, which in some cases are really big. We always check this in advance so that there are no unpleasant surprises on your most important day.
The truth is that an outdoor wedding is not just an event – it is an experience. And when it is well planned, the result is... breathtaking.
My advice to every couple:
• Choose a location that you really feel like “yours”
• Don’t compromise on a backup plan
• Trust the professionals
• Think of your guests as you think of yourself
And to support everything I have said so far, I will share with you part of the story of Iveta and Philip, who wanted their wedding to be in the garden of the History Museum in Sofia.
The date was June 14, 2014. The period was slightly rainy and no matter how much the newlyweds did not like it, we had to prepare with a plan B. They were categorical that they did not want a tent, and that it would not rain. I warned them that if I called on the day of the wedding to respond with an emergency tent, it would cost them almost double the price, but even that did not help me ensure peace of mind. On June 14 in the morning at 6:00 a.m. Philip called me and said:
- Tanche, it will rain….call the tent…
Of course…immediately…
But what happened after that? The tent had just been dismantled and is still in Samokov. This means that it will arrive in Sofia around 10:00-11:00 a.m.…So far so good. Actually, it’s not good at all, because there is time to unload, assemble, and only then can tables and chairs be arranged and the decoration, which was vintage, be started – with many small and neat elements, with tablecloths crocheted by the bride and groom’s grandmothers, jars with lace and twine, bouquets for each chair, a photo corner…. Oh, let’s not forget the arch for the Ceremony and all this made of natural flowers and it had to be ready by 3:30 p.m.…
I leave it to your imagination how exactly we managed this…Fact – we managed it…and yes, it was worth it.
And the wedding was truly incredible… Thanks to our favorite photographer Zhoro Manolov, you can see for yourself…
And after returning to that wonderful moment in 2014, I can summarize…
Outdoor weddings are one of those moments when everything seems to fall into place by itself – light, emotion, love. But behind this ease lies a lot of experience, attention and care for detail.
If you dream of such a wedding, know that it is possible that it will be exactly as you imagined it… and even more beautiful.
We are here to walk this path together with you – calmly, confidently and with a lot of love for every little detail.
Thank you!
With a lot of love and emotion from me…
Tanya Valkova
wedding planner and designer
