Outdoor or Indoor Wedding: Which is Best?

1. Covid-19 Wedding Space

Right now, we are going through a pandemic, and it can be a very challenging time to try planning a wedding with covid-19 to worry about. There are many different factors that come into play when choosing the right space that will allow for social distancing. With so many uncertainties, you need to be prepared for anything that can come up on your wedding day.

This is why it’s good to choose a location that can fit your wants and needs as well as any laws and guidelines that might be in place. We’re definitely in a time of uncertainty and many factors will change in the coming year. So it’s a good idea to consider some of the things that can dramatically affect the outcome of your wedding day.

Even before covid-19, larger weddings could benefit from an event space that does not have space constraints and allows the setup to move properly from one location to the next. This means that for weddings in 2020 and 2021, an outdoor space might be the way to go.

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2. Guest list

One of the biggest factors when choosing an indoor versus outdoor location might be the number of guests attending. You will want to check with the venue and see what their capacity is and look at examples of setups in the space for your number of desired guests. The average guest list in the Portland area is between 75 and 250 people. The total number will dramatically affect the overall cost of your wedding. Our wedding DJ services include full-scale sound setups tailored to venues of any size.

As the master of ceremony, it is the DJ's job to communicate information between the day-of coordinator and planner and your guests. Strong DJ and vendor communication is one of the most important and most overlooked parts of a successful event. A confident MC dramatically affects the flow of the wedding more than just playing the music.

We like all the guests to be informed of everything that is happening so they can be ready for upcoming events and they know when things are about to happen before they actually happen. I feel having a confident MC is a lot more important to the flow of the wedding than actually playing the music. I think this is one part of our job that is overlooked but is very important to a successful event.

3. Weather versus small space

When deciding on an outdoor versus indoor location, one of the major concerns is weather. It is a good idea to choose a venue that has a secondary option for rain and all kinds of weather. One of the most expensive things you might need for your outdoor wedding is a tent. Even on a bright sunny day, you will need adequate shade.

On the flip side, the benefit to having the wedding outdoors is the abundance of space. Here in the Portland and Salem areas, many venues have an unlimited amount of space. Some of the best places to get married are down in wine country at the luxurious wineries. Our Portland service area page and Salem service area page cover the venues we most frequently work with.

Another factor at outdoor weddings that many people forget to think about is the wind. This is especially the case at locations along the coast or in the Columbia River Gorge. Wind can dramatically affect how well the speeches will be heard and even impact your centerpieces and decorations.

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4.  Music Planning

Most DJs will have a play-if-possible list, a must-play list, and a do-not-play list. The more communication you have with your DJ, the better your overall experience will be. Use our music planning tools to build out your full wedding playlist across every part of the day, from the cocktail hour to the dance party.

You probably do not want to pick out every song the DJ will play. Give them some flexibility and freedom -- they are the professionals after all. But make sure to give enough input so they know what direction you want during different parts of the evening. For more guidance, read our guide on cocktail hour music and first dance songs.

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5. Event Lighting

When it comes to planning your wedding and your event space, one of the first things you should consider is lighting. At DJ Cutt Entertainment, we offer uplighting, spotlighting, and monogram lights. Elegant lighting packages can have a dramatic effect on the overall look and design of your room. Uplights are a simple way to add a great deal of atmosphere to any venue, which is why they are often called wedding lights.

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6. Wedding design opportunities

When it comes to planning a wedding indoors, these events are usually considered more luxurious. Think of the inside of a building or hotel like a blank slate -- you can do anything you want with it, but it might take a larger budget to achieve your vision. Pair your interior design with stunning event lighting and our dancing on clouds effect to create a truly immersive atmosphere.

When your wedding is at an outdoor location, you are mostly relying on the scenery to do most of the heavy lifting for the decor and overall atmosphere. One of the best places to find DJs is through your venue's preferred vendor list, or through resources like The Knot and Wedding Wire. See our about page for our full list of awards and recognition.

When it comes to planning a wedding indoors, these events are usually considered more luxurious. Think of the inside of a building or hotel like a blank slate -- you can do anything you want with it, but it might take a larger budget to achieve your vision. Pair your interior design with stunning event lighting and our dancing on clouds effect to create a truly immersive atmosphere.

When your wedding is at an outdoor location, you are mostly relying on the scenery to do most of the heavy lifting for the decor and overall atmosphere. One of the best places to find DJs is through your venue's preferred vendor list, or through resources like The Knot and Wedding Wire. See our about page for our full list of awards and recognition.

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7. Outdoor wedding elements

Depending on the time of year and where you are located, you need to think about insects, temperature, and wind. Especially in Oregon, when the sun goes down it can get cold quickly, especially in spring and autumn. One of the best parts of having your wedding outdoors is the ability to play lawn games during the cocktail hour, such as croquet and corn hole. This will tend to keep guests at your wedding for a longer amount of time.

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8. Power

Many times when you have an outdoor wedding, you are creating an event space in a place that is not built to host such a venture. When we do our site walkthrough, we like to make sure that power is in a relevant location where we can plug in. The DJ, photographers, videographer, catering company, and photo booth operator may all need power. Make sure the venue takes care of this, or find out if you need to rent generators.

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Choosing the Right Wedding Setting for Your Perfect Day

Both indoor and outdoor weddings offer unique advantages, and the right choice ultimately comes down to your vision, guest experience, and planning priorities. From managing weather and space to designing the perfect atmosphere with music and lighting, every detail plays a role in creating a seamless and unforgettable celebration.

Many couples find the best solution is choosing a venue that offers both indoor and outdoor options, giving you the flexibility to adapt as your wedding day approaches. With the right planning and the right team, you can feel confident your wedding will look and sound incredible no matter the setting.

At DJ Cutt Entertainment, we specialize in creating customized wedding experiences with professional sound, expert MC services, and elegant lighting designed for both indoor and outdoor venues. Learn more about our wedding DJ services or explore our event lighting options to enhance your celebration.

Ready to start planning your wedding?

‍View our pricing packages or contact us today to check availability and bring your vision to life with a team you can trust.

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