Prairie HiveMany couples dream of an outdoor wedding, but they are often hesitant because of the expenses that come with it. But what they don’t realize is that there is a solution to this dilemma, and that is to hold a public park wedding.
Can you have a wedding at a public park, though? The answer is a big YES! Holding your wedding at a public park is actually an affordable way to pull off an outdoor wedding. But this time, it doesn’t come with the huge price tag often associated with other traditional wedding venues such as gardens, outdoor resorts, and estates.
Why Hold Your Wedding at a Public Park?
There are actually more reasons to have your wedding at a public park. For one, you can save a lot of money in many different ways. After all, it eliminates the need to spend your cash buying wedding decorations and stuff. Mother Nature will give you all the wonderful scenery that can serve as the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos.
Speaking of photos, a public park wedding will also mean that you can extend the shoot hours for your wedding photographer. Aside from the many great spots for taking photos, the location itself is also very convenient for you and your photographer.
If you and your partner are both the outdoorsy type, you can also take a fresh approach to your wedding and tie the knot in a public park. After all, nothing beats all that sunshine and natural setting around you.
The cost involved is also very tempting. Most location fees and permits are also easy on the budget, and more importantly, most parks today can be used as outdoor wedding venues for free.
However, it is important that you have a backup plan for potential pitfalls such as annoying insects and bad weather. As long as you plan your big day well, your dream wedding will play out as you hoped and wanted it to.
How to Plan a Wedding at a Public Park?
It doesn’t matter if you want to exchange your wedding vows at the park in your own hometown or a lovely park in your dream country, you can be sure that it will be budget-friendly and beautiful at the same time.
Take note of the following helpful tips to pull off the perfect public park wedding:
Remember That It is Open to the General Public
Before anything else, don’t forget that a public park is indeed public. It means that there will be other people spending their time at the park when you have your wedding there. When you have your wedding at a public park, you won’t have the assurance that you can control things such as privacy and sound as you would in private venues.
Some parkgoers will also be curious about what is happening and might want to stand by quietly to take a few photos or watch the event. The best thing you can do is to have an open and friendly attitude. Wouldn’t it be great if there are people who will applaud and cheer you as you and your partner are pronounced husband and wife? If you want a unique outdoor wedding experience, having your big day at a public park is the best option for you.
Don’t Forget to Do Your Research First
Which public parks can you choose for your wedding? Well, you will be surprised because with just a bit of research online, you can find several options where you can hold your special day.
Maybe you want to tie the knot in the local park in your hometown. Or maybe there is a beautiful park in a different city, state, or country where you have always imagined yourself getting married. Whatever the location is, make sure you do your research first.
Don’t forget to look into the closing and opening hours of the park and the average weather in the area according to season. You also need to check if there are scheduled large events, celebrations, performances, or concerts at the park on your planned wedding dates.
Prepare a Backup Plan
It will always be a good idea to have a backup plan in place for your wedding if inclement weather occurs on your big day. Extreme temperatures, rain, or snow can all compromise your outdoor celebration.
To prevent any issues, you might want to choose another park location that can provide enough shelter for all attendees of your wedding. Just make sure you also get the necessary permit for this second location.
On the other hand, you can also pick a nearby venue just outside the park as a backup location. You can pick an indoor location as a backup such as a hotel or a venue where your wedding reception will be held.
You can also look into other alternative locations like chapels and art galleries that you can reserve for a nominal fee in advance.
Familiarize the Park Rules
Knowing the official regulations and rules of the public park will always be your best bet to guarantee that your big day will go on without a hitch. Learn the rules of the park regarding the setup of tables and chairs, beverages and food, sound and music, photography, decorations, and more. You also need to check if only a specific number of guests are allowed to attend your ceremony.
Check the Location
After doing the necessary research, check the location to see if there are specific parts of the park where you can exchange your “I dos.” Maybe you can get married on an open and bright hillside or a shady and cozy cove.
Confirm if the location can be accessed by foot or car. Keep an eye out for nearby public restrooms. Check if the lighting or temperature will be drastically different at different times of the year. If you can, plan a trip to visit all potential parks in advance to set expectations.
Secure a Permit
The most important part of having your wedding at a public park is securing a permit and other necessary paperwork. To ensure that you and your guests can enter the park legally, file for a space permit with the local authorities or parks department.
Be sure to check if there are time restrictions stated on the permit and the number of allowed guests. Request the permit as soon as you can to ensure that your preferred time and date are available. And of course, make sure you have the permit with you on your big day!
