Planning a dream garden wedding don’t ignore these maintenance tips
In the realm of modern weddings, couples are increasingly drawn to the idea of hosting the big event in their own gardens. And this only makes sense, as a garden wedding offers a lot of flexibility in layout and décor, and can also help save money compared to a traditional venue.
This isn’t just a passing trend, but rather, it’s a shift towards embracing the simplicity that a natural setting can offer. A garden wedding is a dreamlike way to celebrate love, while you are surrounded by the beauty of nature. However, if you want to host your wedding in your garden, it’s essential to maintain it so that you can get a picture-perfect setting. In this blog, we walk you through everything you need to know about garden maintenance for your wedding, so keep reading to learn more!
Why is garden maintenance important before the wedding?
It’s no secret that the wedding venue is one of the most important considerations, as it has a significant impact on the guest experience. While a garden wedding has a lot to offer, it’s essential to ensure it will be both beautiful and healthy on the big day, so that people can enjoy a visually appealing backdrop for their wedding pictures. Just think about it for a second: the guests may put effort into their wedding look, so they can’t wait for the opportunity to showcase their outfits in a photo.
However, if the wedding setting doesn’t look aesthetic, they won’t likely enjoy it. For a memorable experience, it’s essential to provide a visually appealing and romantic setting, allowing guests to capture their stunning moments. Additionally, a well-maintained garden will also ensure a comfortable environment, free from disturbances from insects, and allow guests to easily mingle and enjoy the celebration.
Tips to maintain a thriving garden for the big day
Now that we’ve discussed the importance of garden maintenance for the wedding, let’s see what the actual steps you should take are:
Get rid of any faded flowers
Deadheading is one of the most important things to do if you want to maintain your garden’s appearance for the big day. This will encourage more blooms and enhance the overall vibrancy. Search for flowers that show signs of browning, wilting, or seed development, and use scissors or your fingers to pinch or cut off the faded flower – but make sure to cut just above the next healthy leaf or bud.
The main point of deadheading the plants in your garden is to make the flower bed look stunning, so avoid dropping the spent blooms on the ground. Instead, collect them in a small bucket so you can dispose of them in a compost pile later. While not all flowers require deadheading, a lot of them do, including Cosmos, Sweet peas, Petunias, Roses, and Marguerite daisies, to name a few, and if you want a garden that will wow your wedding guests, this is a maintenance tip you should not overlook.
Fertilize the plants
Just like people need essential nutrients to stay healthy, plants must have nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus – known as macronutrients. If they don’t get these macronutrients, the plants will end up with weak stems, smaller leaves, and poor color.
While it may seem that the plants in your garden get all the necessary nutrients from the garden soil, that’s not really the case, as there are several factors that can impact the nutrient levels, such as the region you are in. This is why it’s essential to use fertilizer for your plants; however, before doing so, make sure to first test the soil to understand what you are working with. Consider using a granular product or a liquid with a balanced amount of the nutrients mentioned earlier (this is indicated by a 10-10-10 on the label), as this will be suitable for most plants in your garden. As for how often you should fertilize the plants, it depends on the type of plants. For instance, roses and hydrangeas are heavy feeders, so it’s a good idea to fertilize them about once a month during the growing season. On the other hand, plants like coneflower and bee balm don’t require much fertilizer, especially if you use organic material for the soil.
Apply mulch
Mulching is essential in the garden in order to suppress weeds and retain moisture, as well as improving soil health, to name just a few. Think of it as a protective layer on the soil’s surface, which benefits both the garden environment and the plants. There are various types of mulch available, including organic options such as straw, wood chips, and compost, as well as inorganic options like landscape fabric.
The best choice is ultimately the one that best fits your preferences and needs. For instance, while organic mulches break down over time, ensuring the soil gets enough nutrients, inorganic mulches ensure long-lasting weed suppression. When mulching, ensure that you first remove any debris or weeds from the area and spread a layer of mulch evenly. This will prevent it from touching the base of plants, which can help prevent rot. Replenish the mulch layer once or twice a year for maintenance.
Prioritize lawn care
Lawn care is essential for a memorable garden wedding. If possible, mow the lawn a few days before the big day, as this will enable grass clippings to settle. As for the process itself, you want to ensure that the grass is dry, because otherwise, you could get an uneven cut, which will impact the aesthetics of the lawn.
Another essential tip when mowing is to apply the one-third rule, which essentially states that you should not remove more than one-third of the grass blade per mow. Every grass needs to be cut at a specific height, so following this rule will ensure a healthy lawn, and prevent matting and disease.
Consider adding new plants or flowers
If you want to enhance the natural beauty of your garden and create a vibrant atmosphere, adding new plants can be a good idea. When doing this, it’s essential to first assess the space to ensure they won’t overcrowd existing plants. Furthermore, you want to pay attention to the sunlight requirements and ensure they are compatible with the light conditions in your area.
Since you’re looking to transform your garden into a dream venue, you also want to ensure that the plants you add complement the overall style of the wedding. For example, if you’re aiming for a rustic theme, lavender or succulents are a great addition, while an elegant setting asks for myrtle or ivy. You may even want to consider the symbolism of the plants to add a special touch: for instance, while rosemary symbolizes remembrance, myrtle is a symbol of good fortune and love, and it’s ideal to mark the beginning of this new chapter as a married couple.
Takeaway
A well-maintained garden sets the ideal stage for a memorable wedding, reflecting the romance and joy of the day. With these tips, you can ensure that your garden provides a serene backdrop where you can create memories to cherish for years to come.
