Pest-free Outdoor Weddings

Share This Post

Summer is right around the corner, and of course that means we are entering peak outdoor wedding season! There’s nothing quite like an outdoor wedding.

Ahh, the sights and sounds of an outdoor wedding…

the beauty of nature all around, the sound of birds chirping, the lovely sight of flowers blooming, and the swarming mosquitoes headed straight for you!

While this problem may influence you to move your wedding inside, the risk of having insects in attendance doesn’t mean you have to compromise your dream of an outdoor wedding. Having a backyard wedding can be a great choice.

These events are milestones in a happy couple’s life and the outdoor ceremony and reception have the potential to be beautiful and serene.
While indoor ceremonies are indeed lovely, an outdoor setting offers some truly inimitable aspects: the organic beauty of nature, the warmth of the sun…and swarms of mosquitoes and other pesky insects.

We know there are a million details involved when planning a wedding, but be sure not to ignore these six common outdoor wedding disasters that could ruin your big day. Below, we’ve assembled a list of six amazing tips that you can use to keep your outdoor wedding insect free!

Here’s how to avoid letting mother nature rain on your parade:

1. Don’t forget to “Sweep the Area”:
mosquitoes love standing water, tall grasses, and dense foliage. Locate these mosquito-prone areas during your initial tour of the venue, then host the reception as far away as possible. If you can’t escape the conditions, take measures to deter bugs on your wedding day. For example, you can fill in puddles, trim tall grasses, and remove piles of leaves and debris.

2. Choose Flowers That Act as Mosquito-Repellent: You’ll find it hard to believe but yes, that’s true! There are certain flowers, like marigolds and lavender, naturally repel mosquitoes.

While the idea that there are some flowers that repel bugs has been floating around the internet, the truth is, it’s the oils of certain plants that can help repel bugs, not the plant itself.

However, the more fragrant a flower is, the more likely that bees and other insects will be attracted to it.

Have your florist incorporate these blooms into centerpieces and other floral arrangements, since they’ll also double as beautiful décor accents.

3. Get Rid of Standing Water Before the Big Day: Don’t forget that mosquitoes lay their eggs in water. So, even small puddles are enough to hatch a large swarm of hungry mosquitoes. Do away with any standing water, if possible, to remove egg-laying areas.

Fill in puddle-prone areas!

Check for objects or decorations which may hold water and empty such objects for a bug-free quality time!

Bonus tip: You can install a water circulation system in any ornamental water features such as ponds or pools.

4. Apply Sunscreen and Bug Spray…But not at the same time! According to Dr. Zeichner, doing so will increase the toxicity of chemicals in the spray, which certainly isn’t good for you or your skin. Rather than hide the fact you’re trying to prevent insects at your wedding, simply incorporate insect-repelling items into your wedding décor. One easy idea is to provide bug spray for guests to apply.
As a rule, he recommends putting on your sunscreen first and waiting 30 minutes before applying the bug repellent to avoid any issues.

5. Set Up Fans: Such a simple one but it does help!
Cool off your guests and get rid of flies, as well! Fans are particularly important to have around a buffet table and any other food, like your cake, that’s outside. The bugs will literally be blown away.

Fans keep guests cool during warm summer nights, but they also blow bugs away from your reception site. If the venue doesn’t have ceiling fans, you can place some smaller ones throughout. (Heads up: you’ll need working outlets and extension cords.)

Just Keep the Air Moving!!

Mosquitoes prefer still air, so arrange fans around your seating and dancing areas to help keep them at bay with wind power. Plus, the air circulation will keep your guests cool on a hot summer day!

6. Citronella: Use scents in your décor that mosquitoes hate. Stock up on torches and candles containing citronella. Citronella is a natural oil that deters insects and is widely available.
Rather than using a big bucket candle, try a DIY citronella candle. Just add water, lemon slices, and a tea light or floating candle to a Mason jar. You can also add sprigs of rosemary and drops of citronella oil if you choose for additional repellent power.

Not only are these adorable, but they’re easy and inexpensive to make. Place the torches and candles around your reception area to ward off flying pests. This will help keep bug number down inside your tent.

You can also create a romantic outdoor ambiance on your big day by utilizing lighting elements, such as lanterns with citronella candles and tiki torches with citronella oil, to keep bugs at bay. That’s so awesome, right?

Bonus Tips:

✔ Cover Up – In addition to bug repellents; encourage your guests to wear and/or bring along clothing to cover bare skin if possible. Decide the theme accordingly! They’ll come away with fewer bug bites and have a much happier time at your celebration.

✔ Natural Alternatives – If chemically-based insect repellents aren’t your thing, there are many natural oils that discourage those little buggers from attacking; like Eucalyptus and Lemongrass.

Some good options are citronella, lemon balm, lavender, marigolds, and peppermint.

There you have it! Easy precautions that your guests will very much appreciate.

We hope these tips help you keep bugs away during your outdoor wedding and enjoy your big day.

Enjoy your wedding without the buzz from the mosquitoes!

After all, planning a wedding can seem overwhelming, and so can yard care, but it will be much easier if you consult with experts that are familiar with local pests, have been trained in the best methods for controlling weeds, and know how to make your lawn look it’s best.

In addition to planning all the details for your day, you will also want to get your yard ready.

You will need to prep the lawn, provide care for your trees and shrubs, and control pests. The last thing your wedding needs is a bug-bitten bride, so has your yard treated before the event.

Bonus tip: Start early on lawn, tree & shrub care, that way there will be enough time to treat any weeds, fungus, brown spots, or drainage issues, and clear up any pests that are damaging your lawn or trees. You also want to allow your lawn enough time to grow healthy for the event.

Your yard will be on display, so give it a manicured look. Whether that means mowing it yourself or hiring a landscaper, you’ll want your lawn to be in top form

At the end of the day, a wedding celebration should be all about your guests, not about battling bugs or mosquitoes. That’s why it’s often a smart idea to simply call an experienced pest professional to advise and plan out your wedding pest-control plan so that you can relax and enjoy the celebrations.

Don’t let the bugs crash the ceremony!

There are a lot of elements involved in planning a wedding, and if you start early and stay organized, it will help all of them come together smoothly in time for the big day.

Wishing you hassle-free celebrations!