There are so many things that need big decisions when it comes to planning a wedding. Among them are the guest list, the entourage, the food, the programme, and the outfit and wedding dress. While choosing a location is also part of things that need a good sit-down to decide on, some might find it difficult to choose whether the wedding should be indoor or outdoor.
Indoor weddings are always a staple. The majority of weddings in the Philippines have receptions celebrating in indoor venues. And why wouldn’t they be? Indoor wedding celebrations afford the couple and guests the safety of an enclosed space, not to mention air conditioning. It’s also more common to find event venues that cater to only indoor celebrations. The same goes for wedding vendors being more experienced in executing weddings indoors.
On the flipside, outdoor weddings have the potential to be naturally majestic. Movies and TV shows make it a point to emphasize romance with unique outdoor weddings. Even fairy tale weddings are usually portrayed outdoors in green and natural spaces. Outdoor weddings done right can be the stuff of dreams and Instagram feeds.
With so much potential waiting behind both doors, which one is better? Let’s take a look at factors that may help you decide to keep it in or let it all out.
Theme and Type of Wedding
One of the easiest ways to determine if you should go for an indoor wedding or if an outdoor engagement is more your style is by determining the type of wedding you’re having and even the theme that will surround it.
If your wedding is more traditional, then it’s recommended to have a reception party that’s held indoors. Otherwise, you could go either way! If that’s the case, you could then look at themes: do you imagine something regally Victorian? Indoor might be the better option especially since venues like ours at Hillcreek Gardens have a grand ballroom that fits just the theme. Maybe you like a theme that’s more fabled and naturalistic? An outdoor garden wedding will be more your vibe.
Key takeaways:
- Choose indoor if: wedding is more traditional
- Choose outdoor if: wedding is less conventional and theme plays better outdoors
Guests
Who is coming and how many will they be? These are important questions to keep in mind in choosing a venue. Of course, your wedding is gonna be memorable to you as a couple but if you want the wedding to be equally memorable to your guests, you have to choose a venue that also considers them.
First, let’s talk about size. If you’re going to be hosting a massive wedding, we’d recommend it be indoors. Indoor weddings help reel in and keep control of the crowd. Not to mention, it’s easier to also keep them comfortable. If you have a smaller head count of guests, consider a smaller indoor venue or a garden wedding. A small wedding in a large hall might end up looking empty, but a small wedding in a garden will always look scenic.
You also have to consider the people attending your wedding. If there will be plenty of elderly, it might be prudent to choose indoor seating as well as be mindful of accessibility provisions. A younger wedding crowd might enjoy more with an outdoor setting. If there will be plenty of kids and elders, a blend of both indoor and outdoor venues might work for you.
Key takeaways:
- Choose indoor if: you have a big guest list and have elderly people on the list
- Choose outdoor if: your wedding is more intimate
Location
This one’s a double whammy: it’s the where of your where. The area where you’ll be holding a wedding is important in determining if it’ll be better to hold the event indoor or outdoor.
For destination weddings, as long as the space is comfortable enough, outdoor is the way to go. This is also true if your location is in areas away from major cities and a lot closer to nature like Tagaytay since places like beach front or hilltops have both nice outdoor aesthetic and air quality.
Let’s be honest, city air can be suffocating. If you’re holding the wedding reception in a major city, you may want to consider keeping it indoors. If you do want to have an outdoor wedding in the city, go all out and have a highrise penthouse wedding party.
Key takeaways:
- Choose indoor if: your wedding location is in a major city
- Choose outdoor if: you’re going to have a destination wedding like beachfront or hillside
Season
Of course, we can’t talk about in- and outdoor venues without talking about the weather. A major deciding factor in either wedding venue or wedding scheduling is the season the event is going to take place in.
During the wet season, it’s best to keep the party indoors to avoid inconveniencing guests. Dry season also isn’t a guarantee that outdoor weddings are going to work if the outdoor venue might be too temperate and humid. The perfect season for outdoor weddings would be during the dry-cold season right around late -ber months until early February when the air is crisp and cold but rain is few if there would be any.
On the flipside, if the venue is your priority, you might also want to flip the script and adjust your schedule to secure your much sought wedding location.
Key takeaways:
- Choose indoor if: the wedding is scheduled during peak wet season or very hot dry season
- Choose outdoor if: it’s the dry season or late -ber months until February
Preference
The best way to determine if you should have an indoor or outdoor wedding is basically just how much you want it. A small crowd in a big hall? Or a garden party during the rainy season? If you have the vision, there are always work arounds. It might not be predicament-perfect but if it’s the perfect wedding that you want, it’s what matters.
Still having trouble deciding? We’ll hold the door for you at Hillcreek Gardens Tagaytay; tell us what you want for your wedding and we’ll make it work. Whether you want an indoor wedding, an outdoor engagement or a blend of both, we can guarantee that it’ll be perfect.