I am having an outdoor wedding, and I need decorating ideas to conceal a not-so-pretty feature of the setting.

Question

My wedding is going to be in a public park. The location is beautiful as far as its view and surroundings are concerned. It has a pretty, but small veranda area where only the wedding party will stand. The downside is that in front of the veranda is a parking lot (behind it is the downslope of the hill it is on). So basically my guests will be standing (no chairs are allowed-park rules) in a parking lot on black top pavement! Not very romantic. I am thinking of using a grass green aisle runner to create an aisle, as my colors are pink, lavender and green. However, that will only disguise a small portion of the ugly pavement. Also, some of our guests will need to be parking on one side of the exact same parking lot, because the hill will be too tiring for some of the older folks to ascend in the summer heat. I am desperate to hear any ideas for concealing the fact that my guests are standing in a parking lot, because I want the atmosphere to be at least somewhat classy and romantic. :)

Answer 1

Could you put some potted/basketed plants to kind of outline the area and set it aside from where you will be having the ceremony? You also could try to get a few small area rugs with the colors you will be using to conceal the parking lot lines. I would try to do as much as you could with stuff that you could lay down. You might even try a little astro-turf or something like that for the area where the guests would be. Also, you could have a nice archway for where you say your vows, etc. That should help it a little.

Answer 2

You can always use pipe and draping! Most party rental places should have a variety of pie and drape for you to choose from. I am not sure that you will be able to cover the whole parking lot up, but you could at least create a small and more intimate setting if you use this technique. Or, another idea is to use post and roping to signify the entrance and the outer edge of the chair aisles. If you can afford it, you could twist the rope with a garland of greens like Ivy or seeded Eucalyptus. Any boundary set around the area that the guests are in will create a more purposefully effect and will take the focus off of the ugly blacktop.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

I wouldn't plan on pillows and such, nor fabric on the ground if there are going to be elderly people there. I would have a few lawn chairs, though, for any folks who can't stand that long.

I think the fence is a good idea, maybe even the AstroTurf. They make outdoor carpets that are pretty nice. I received a catalog recently that had some that looked like oriental rugs that were reasonably priced. Use lots of plants surrounding the ceremony area.

Don't worry too much about the pavement,. When you get down to it, even carpet inside a church isn't usually too photogenic!

Answer 4

You could get a roll of white paper (like for a kid's art easel) and put it on the ground in rows maybe with flower petals on it, to organize where you want people to stand. Then it will be like a seating arrangement, only minus the seats, instead of a milling crowd of standing folk. You could hang gauzy or tulle fabric if there are any poles or posts to use, or you could create your own background structure like some of the others have suggested. Another idea would be to bring portable umbrellas that have their own stands. Then you could open them up and hang the fabric from them to create a visual area. Good luck! Most importantly remember that your guests will be there because they love you and want to help celebrate your wedding; they will be looking at you more than at the surroundings!

Answer 5

I don't know what the park rules are but you could see if you could get a white picket fence and just set that up to block the view of the parking lot. I'm also having an outdoor wedding but it's at my own house. And the spot we picked is right in front of our garden so were building a small picket fence just to hide it from view. Good Luck!

Answer 6

I used to photograph weddings in public parks.No chairs allowed?? That is weird! What about, if it is not windy, those wall partions some people put up in their homes. The folding, 3 wall things, get alot of them.

Answer 7

If you can't have chairs, how about giant no-sew throw pillows in your wedding colors lol It may sound stupid, but it would cover tons of pavement, and at least they would still have a place to sit.

Answer 8

go to a fabric store and get yards of tulle or another see through fabric and just lay it on the ground. you could use some potted plants to hold it down, and even sprinkle silk flower petals to add some fun.

Answer 9

How about layering the ground with flower petals? These can be had for very cheaply since you don't need particularly nice/fresh flowers, just their colorful petals.