Outdoor wedding planning isn’t all hay bales and mason jars. Creating a successful outdoor wedding requires attention to detail and a keen eye for the bride’s and guests’ comfort. These ten tips will help make your big day a memorable experience for you and your loved ones.

1. Plan Ahead: Whether you’re getting married in prime wedding season or in the cool of winter, Mother Nature probably won’t care about your big day. Save yourself wedding day tears and be prepared with umbrellas, a tent rental, or extra sunscreen.

2. Provide Games: While the day flies by for newlyweds, guests often have a lot of downtime between the ceremony and reception. Rather than relying on your great-uncles karaoke skills to entertain your guests, set up some outdoor games such as bocce ball, croquet, or giant Jenga.

3. Provide Wind-Resistance: Pinterest and wedding magazines offer many options for wedding decorations but rarely do those decorations stand up to a stiff breeze. Save your bridesmaids the aggravation of chasing down each carefully crafted decoration and plan for wind-resistant table display.

4. Wedding Favor Flip-Flops: Outdoor weddings are not high heel friendly. Save your guests an uncomfortable reception trying to pull their heels out of the ground by providing flip-flop favors.

5. Don’t Skimp on Sound: With wind and distance to compete with, wedding parties that compete with the weather often lose. Get a microphone for the ceremony and reception.

6. Provide Guests with Essentials: Sunscreen, insect repellant, and paper fans can turn an oppressive heat wave wedding into an otherwise pleasant affair.

7. Cut the Curls: Heat and rain alike can decimate a carefully arranged up-do. Ensure that your stylist knows it’s an outdoor ceremony and plan your style for the elements.

8. Bug Off: Tiny wedding crashers can ruin you and your guests evening. While Chukkar Farm does not commonly have many pests to deal with, it is a good idea to decorate with citronella candles to provide an elegant and bug-free affair.

9. Keep It Cool: Chicken or steak may work for an indoor wedding but outdoor weddings have their own set of challenges. Talk to your caterer about a menu that will be both delicious and refreshing.

10. Don’t Over Think It: Outdoor weddings are popular because they provide a gorgeous setting and a memorable day. Embrace the surroundings and downplay the extras needed to makes an indoor wedding stand out.