Planning a Lakeside Wedding
Hosting a wedding by the water is a lovely decision made lovelier still by preparing for the variables an outdoor marriage ceremony by the lake entails. Here are five considerations to help you create a memorable day you’ll cherish for a lifetime while keeping your family and friends safe on the big day.
Weather and Seasonal Considerations
As with any outdoor wedding, the weather plays a pivotal role, especially by water. Wind, rain, and temperature fluctuations can impact everything from guest comfort to the ceremony’s logistics.
Weather and Setting a Date for Your Nuptials
Before setting a date, research the weather patterns of the chosen season and prepare for possible rain or cold fronts.
Summer and Fall Weddings
For couples marrying lakeside in the summer, the thermostat’s reading will be more inviting and picture-perfect for exchanging vows by the shore. Similarly, an autumn wedding offers cooler temperatures for those sensitive to the heat with the glorious addition of fall foliage in breathtaking hues.
Winter and Spring Weddings
If you marry in the winter or spring, you will still find beauty by the lake, albeit with other considerations like mud, snow, hail, and ice. A winter wedding at a chalet or a spring wedding in a less rainy climate can be equally pleasurable, just make sure the ceremony is indoors with a roaring fire, toasty beverages at the ready, and plenty of ways to warm up.
Factoring in Wind
Given lakes and waterfronts can be windy, consider wind-resistant décor and sound equipment to avoid disruptions.
Last point on outdoor wedding considerations:
Always have a backup plan for where you say I do. You can exchange vows in a nearby indoor venue (barn weddings are a great choice!) or a sturdy tent in case of sudden weather changes.
Location Accessibility and Guest Comfort
How easy is it for your guests to get to the wedding venue? The location’s accessibility plays a role in your day, including the ease of reaching the venue and their comfort during the event.
Prepare for the following to avoid disappointment (and sunburns!):
Proximity to Parking
Ensure there’s adequate parking or transportation to the site, as lakeside areas can be remote. For instance, can people drive to your venue, or is the wedding venue only accessible by boat or floatplane (a type of seaplane)? Do people need to take a ferry to get to the wedding venue?
Mobility Considerations
If any guests have mobility issues, ensure the path to the ceremony site is accessible and safe. This will benefit everyone, including the bridal party, as they make their way down the aisle.
Seating and Shade
Provide comfortable seating and shaded areas, especially if the ceremony is during a hot part of the day. Some couples have a basket of hand fans that double as wedding favors with their names and the wedding date engraved in the fan’s guard.
Permits and Regulations
Waterfront properties, especially public ones, often have specific regulations and require event permits, including weddings. You’ll want to look into permit requirements with local authorities, be it for the ceremony itself, city by-laws around noise, the number of guests you can safely host (the fire department can help you with this), or if alcohol can be consumed on-site.
If you’re working with a wedding planner, permits and requirements should be taken care of for you. That said, if you’re responsible for planning your wedding or have tasked someone else in the bridal party to do so, research the following:
Permit Requirements
Again, check with local authorities if a permit is needed for the ceremony. Some locations may have restrictions on noise, number of guests, or alcohol consumption.
Environmental Regulations
Be aware of any environmental protection rules, such as prohibitions on certain types of décor or waste disposal practices.
Time Restrictions
Some locations may have time limits or curfews that must be factored into your planning.
Logistics and Vendor Coordination
The unique setting of a waterfront wedding requires special attention to logistics, especially regarding setup, breakdown, and vendor coordination. Depending on the setup and how much room you need to stage your ceremony, you may need to rent a floating dock.
Consider the following:
Power Supply
Ensure you have access to electricity for lighting, sound systems, and catering equipment, or arrange for generators if necessary.
Transportation of Equipment
Consider how easy it is to transport and set up equipment like tents, tables, and sound systems at the waterfront site. If you have road access, this can be easier, and items can also be transported by barge if you only have water access to work with.
Vendor Experience
Choose vendors with experience working at outdoor or waterfront weddings. They will be better prepared for the specific challenges of the environment.
Environmental Impact and Décor
A wedding by a lake or waterfront can be stunning, but it’s essential to consider the environmental impact and how décor can complement the natural beauty. The great outdoors is our responsibility to care for, and we must do our best to ‘leave no trace’ on the environment.
Considerations:
Eco-Friendly Practices
Use biodegradable or reusable materials to minimize the environmental impact. Be sensitive to not disturbing local wildlife.
Natural Décor
Incorporate the natural surroundings into your décor to enhance the beauty of the location. Simple, elegant touches often work best in such settings. Take cues from the setting itself and try to match the loveliness that already surrounds you.
Clean-Up Plan
Ensure there’s a plan for thorough clean-up after the event to leave the area as pristine as it was found.
This framework ensures that you account for the unique challenges and opportunities of a lake or waterfront wedding, leading to a smoother, more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Celebrity Wedding on Lake Muskoka
Connor McDavid, NHL player and captain of the Edmonton Oilers, tied the knot with his fiancee Lauren Kyle, an interior designer, in a classic Muskoka wedding on July 27th, 2024, on Old Woman Island near Walker’s Point on Lake Muskoka. The couple had a gorgeous day for their wedding and celebrated in style, including their rehearsal dinner aboard a Muskoka steamship, an outdoor wedding replete with a rented floating dock at a splendid venue, and a cruise for the newlyweds on a vintage wooden boat. While not every wedding receives international attention from major news outlets, creating a dream wedding on the lake is within reach with some consultation, planning, and investment.
Check out the cottage Connor McDavid rented for his wedding at Jayne’s Luxury Rentals, as well as some hometown coverage of the McDavid wedding from Muskoka Region.
Take your lakeside wedding to the next level by deciding to book your honeymoon on the water! Find the ideal spot to start your married life at Lake.com by perusing our waterfront listings.
