Outdoor weddings are romantic and beautiful but even a perfect Wedding Planner cannot predict the weather. Here are a few wise tips to prepare you if Mother Nature is a surprise guest:

Venue - Choose a venue that can be reserved for an indoor and outdoor wedding. Reserve the date for your ceremony outside and reception inside. If it rains, tables can be moved to the back of the reception room for the ceremony.

Guests - Your guests should be comfortable. Provide ice-cold bottles of water. Print your wedding programs on hand fans. Orient the ceremony so the sun will be on your guests' backs instead of in their eyes. Consider timing your ceremony around sunset when it’s cooler. Rent a tent for guests that do not prefer to be in the sun.

Attire - Be prepared for windy conditions. Avoid light fabrics like chiffons and silks. Select a hairstyle that will last. Wear light makeup that will not increase sweat and smear. Inform your guests in their invitations so they can plan accordingly.

Food - Ask your caterer if they have experience planning an outdoor wedding menu. Make sure they prepare food that will keep well outdoors in the heat. Avoid things like mayonnaise salads or dishes which must be served cold.

Insects - Be sure to put out citronella candles or bug zappers so everyone won't spend the whole ceremony swatting away bugs.

Permits - Contact your city parks department or other officials to get a permit for a park or beach wedding. Be sure to ask about rules concerning food, trash removal, candle or torch lighting, music, and photography.

Acoustics - Make sure everybody can hear. When you picture your dream outdoor wedding, you're probably not thinking of the roaring waves at the beach, the rushing wind, children screaming in the park, dogs barking, or cars passing by. Request a sound system with clip microphones for the bride, groom and officiant. Your DJ or band should be able to provide this for you.

Decorations - The greatest benefit of an outdoor wedding is the natural beauty. You don’t need a lot of decorating but you still need to do some work. Visit the site a week before your wedding to make sure everything is up to par. You may need to supplement the scenery with some extra flowers. Other decorations you may want to consider include an arch or trellis to focus the ceremony and frame the bride and groom as they say their vows, strings of lights or lanterns in the trees, luminaries, torches, or farolitas.