a) People do not act reverently. Since they are not indoors in a
church, they will tend to act more casually than you may want them to. People often smoke,
or drink, or eat, or talk during the ceremony. It is hard for them to sit quietly and
patiently and focus on the wedding;
b) The climate cannot be controlled. The weather doesn't follow
even a bride's directions. It is often too hot or too cold, or the sun is in people's
eyes. If it doesn't rain, it can be windy or dusty;
c) No one can hear. Without the aide of a massive P.A. system,
no one in the audience will hear anything that is said. The presider will have to shout to
be heard by even those in the front rows;
d) The music is lacking. A massive P.A. system can make the
music heard but it is normally taped music, not live, and canned music gives the ceremony
a canned, plastic feel;
e) It is a great deal of extra work. The chairs and tables, for
example, need to be rented and transported, set up and taken down. The extra work is a
large favor to ask of the participants, friends, and/or family;
f) Candles don't burn well. Between the wind and the
temperature, candles won't stay lit; and,
g) Pictures are limited. It is difficult and often impossible to
get the formal pictures that many couples want in an informal outdoor setting.