Outdoor weddings can be absolutely gorgeous. A ceremony beside the lake, barefoot on the beach, tucked into a garden, standing beneath a huge old tree, or out on a dock can give you a setting that needs very little decoration because the location is already doing the work for you.

But after officiating outdoor ceremonies, there is one very practical detail I wish more couples thought about:
Put something beneath your feet.

Grass, sand, gravel, docks, and soft or uneven ground may look beautiful, but they are not always particularly cooperative once you add wedding clothes, heels, a wedding party, and a group of people who are expected to stand relatively still for a while.

A rug, runner, mat, platform, or other stable ground covering gives you a more secure place to stand. It can keep heels from sinking, make shifting or uneven ground less noticeable, protect the bottom of your clothing, and visually define the place where the ceremony is actually happening.

All useful things.

But there is another reason I recommend it that couples may not think about until we get to one very specific moment in the ceremony: The ring exchange.

Wedding rings are tiny. People are nervous. Hands shake. Rings occasionally get fumbled. If someone drops a wedding ring onto a rug or solid platform, we pick it up, laugh, and keep going. If that same ring lands in thick grass, loose sand, landscaping stones, or gravel, everyone may suddenly be searching the ground during your ceremony.

And if you're standing on a dock? You already know where this is going. One little slip through the boards and there may be absolutely nothing your officiant, wedding party, or very enthusiastic uncle can do about it.

A ground covering obviously cannot prevent every possible mishap, but it gives those rings a much friendlier landing place.

It also makes your ceremony space look intentional. There is a visual benefit to this little bit of practicality too. A beautiful rug or runner can help create a natural focal point for the ceremony and give you, your partner, and your officiant a clear place to stand. In a wide-open outdoor setting, that little bit of definition can make the ceremony feel more grounded and finished without requiring an elaborate arbor or a lot of additional décor.

You don't have to make it complicated. Choose something that works with the location, is large enough for the two of you to stand comfortably, and — especially in our very windy Michigan lakeshore communities — can be secured well enough that it doesn't become its own wedding-day adventure.

The goal isn't to cover up the beautiful outdoor setting you chose. It's simply to give yourselves a stable little island in the middle of it. Your feet will appreciate it. Your wedding clothes may appreciate it. And if somebody fumbles a ring, you may appreciate it a lot.

Planning a wedding in Michigan? Ceremonies by Sarah creates personal, customized wedding ceremonies in Ludington and throughout Michigan. Learn more about ceremony options and working with me on the Ceremonies by Sarah page.