If you love the earth, you’ve probably thought about an outdoor wedding.

Getting married in the sun, by the banks of a river, or at the seashore are all naturally beautiful and romantic options.

They also take a lot of the pressure off when it comes to decorating. The trees provide natural shade, the flowers provide a burst of color and the birds provide the background music. The wide open sky is the perfect backdrop for running children, stolen kisses and clinking glasses. But getting married outside also presents some challenges, especially for couples devoted to eco-friendliness.

Here are some tips for a non-toxic, earth-loving wedding in the great outdoors. 

1. Use Biodegradable Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a must, especially for outdoor weddings without a tent or sufficient shade from trees. While the bride and groom may think ahead, guests may not. Provide some non-toxic sunscreen at the gift table or as a favor. Companies like Tropical Seas produce eco-friendly sunscreens out of vegetable ingredients. If your wedding is by the ocean and guests will be swimming, their reef-safe sunscreens protect underwater ecosystems from harmful chemicals. This sunscreen is affordable and they have a formula for kids.

2. Opt for Non-Toxic Insect Repellent

Non-toxic insect repellent is another must-have item for outdoor weddings. There is nothing worse than a mosquito attack during a wedding ceremony! Protect yourself and your guests by providing eco-safe bug spray, like this repellent from Etsy. Herbal repellents smell fresh and they won’t add any harmful chemicals to the environment. Just imagine the chemical cloud from 100 deet-covered guests!

3. Suggest Tick Checks

If you’re getting married in the great outdoors, you’re inviting an entire ecosystem of critters to your celebration. Remind your guests to give themselves a tick check at the end of the day. This is especially important if you’re getting married in the Northeast, which is lyme disease country. Give guests a brief reminder before you start the toasts or post a notice about lyme disease in the bathrooms.

4. Contain Open Flames

This may seem obvious but it’s surprisingly easy to forgo fire safety for pretty open candles or hanging lanterns. Fire safety is important everywhere, but if you’re getting married in the warmer summer months, forest fires are a real risk. Keep your flames contained by putting candles in containers with closed sides, especially if you’re hanging them from tree branches!

Editor: Lynn Hasselberger

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