Tips for Planning an Outdoor Wedding in Ontario

So you’re ready to plan an outdoor wedding in Ontario! There are so many gorgeous options for getting married in our beautiful province. As an experienced outdoor wedding photographer, I’m happy to provide some tips for planning an outdoor wedding in Ontario.

1. Time of Year

The time of year that you get married influences a lot of the details of your wedding planning. But believe it or not, it is possible to have an outdoor wedding year-round in Ontario! You just need to plan appropriately. When considering time of year, you’ll need to think about:

• Venue availability – Be aware that there may be different prices during different times of year. If you are hoping for an on-peak time, you may want to plan for a mid-week wedding or elopement to get your first choice venue.
• Personal preference – Trying to avoid the heat? Not a fan of the cold? Hoping for greenery? Dreaming of fall colours? All of these factors will influence your time of year selection! Considering whether or not venues have heat/air conditioning is helpful, too.
• Guest availability – If you are having guests travel in for your wedding, time of year can influence whether or not they are able to attend your wedding. Holiday weekends or weather could influence their availability.
• Themes – Some couples like to plan their wedding around a theme, and time of year can influence the possibilities! (My wedding was Caribbean-inspired by the water, so summer was key for my husband and I)

Weddings in Ontario by the Seasons

Spring weddings in Ontario can have a little bit of everything! Depending on how far north your wedding is, you could even still have a bit of snow. If you are flexible on what the scenery and weather has in store, spring may be perfect for you! Valen and Leigh had a Haliburton wedding in early May at a beautiful waterfront Air BnB!

Summer weddings in Ontario are perfect for those who are hoping for waterfront ceremonies and all-night parties outside! Danielle and Graeme were married on the shores of Lake Ontario at Presqu’ile Provincial Park in July.

Fall weddings in Ontario are popular and book up fast! The colours are one-of-a-kind, so it’s easy to see why it’s in demand. Depending on where in Ontario you are, the best colours are typically found in the month of October. Jessica and Kent had a beautiful fall wedding at Strathmere over Thanksgiving weekend.

Winter weddings in Ontario are seriously underrated! If you’re hoping for snow, January or February are your best bets! You can get mild spells here and there, but it’s worth the chance for a gorgeous snowy scene. Carly and Brennan braved ice cold temperatures in January (seriously, it was in the minus 30s!) for their snowy portraits, and we loved every minute!

2. Your Location

Choosing a location for planning your outdoor wedding in Ontario is often the trickiest part of the process. It’s up to you to decide if you would like to DIY the location or go with an Ontario venue that caters to outdoor weddings!

Backyard Weddings

Backyard weddings are some of my favourite weddings to photograph. Usually the couple has a personal connection to the area where they are getting married, which makes it a great and meaningful spot. But be aware – they are a ton of work! You will need to consider rentals (e.g. tents, linens, tables, chairs, sometimes even port-a-potties!) and space. Every backyard wedding I have photographed has been a labour of love that has paid off beautifully. Keeping organized and having a core group of friends and family to help you along the way will help make the process easier.

Outdoor Wedding Venues

Ontario has many beautiful outdoor wedding venues that will help you create your dream wedding! I created lists of the best venues for forest weddings in Ontario, and the best venues for outdoor weddings in Ontario. There are many other fantastic options! Outdoor wedding venues in the Toronto area tend to be a bit more glamorous, and outside of the city tend to be a bit more laid-back. There are some wedding venues that are a bit of both!

3. Plan for Weather

This is probably the least favourite part of planning for an outdoor wedding, but it doesn’t have to be! The time of year will heavily influence the type of weather that you will experience, but it can be quite unpredictable. The main tip I have with planning for weather is to have a covered area somewhere nearby where guests can go to keep dry if it rains. If it does rain, embrace it! Your guests are there to celebrate you and will have a great time no matter what! Sam and Shane had an outdoor wedding ceremony with a full reception outdoors for their backyard wedding in Napanee, and they embraced all of it and had a wonderful time!

4. Getting the Right Vendors

When you get married you want to find vendors who are just as excited about your outdoor wedding as you are! Feel welcome to ask how experienced each vendor is in working with the outdoors. For example, if using florals, ask your florist how things will hold up if there’s a lot of wind. If buying a wedding gown, consider the type of ground cover you’ll be walking on. But don’t let the fact that your wedding is outdoors limit what you choose! If you are looking for a photographer to capture your dream outdoor wedding, jals photography specializes in photographing outdoor weddings, and can help you plan for tips and tricks to make your day run smoothly!

Outdoor Weddings in Ontario

Nix the notion of having the “perfect outdoor wedding” and plan the outdoor wedding that showcases why you love the outdoors. The unpredictability of the conditions can be unnerving, but rest assured that at the end of the day, you will be married to the love of your life! Many people get nervous about the guest experience for outdoor weddings, but trust that your guests are going to be happy that you’re happy! I’ve seen guests bring portable fans for hot weddings, extra coats for windy ones, and umbrellas for rainy ones. Part of why we love the outdoors in Ontario is because of the variety, and your outdoor wedding will be beautiful no matter what.