Wedding Styles

Can an Outdoor Wedding be Formal?

My fiancé has his heart set on a formal reception, but I would really prefer to have an outdoor celebration. Can we have the best of both worlds?


Of course. If your fiancé thinks outdoors means a garden party with football and Frisbees, assure him that you can be outside and still be quite formal. Although the site plays a big role in determining how formal your affair will be, the time of day, your guests’ attire and the food presentation will also up the elegance factor.

Here are a few suggestions for outdoor celebrations that have formal written all over them:

• Country-club terraces, hotel courtyards and botanical gardens can provide beautiful backdrops for a wedding celebration.
• Also, nothing says formal like a vineyard wedding with amazing food and great wine under a blanket of stars.
• And don’t discount a seaside celebration, even if you decide to forgo the beach party. A park by a river or a dinner cruise coupled with a jazz band soulfully playing in the background will create a reception overflowing with ambience and style.