OKAY ISLAND WEDDING

A wedding at Okay Island offers a non-traditional experience that many couples are seeking for many reasons. It gives guests a fun, bon-fire-backyard-party vibe that is reminiscent of simpler and more grounded days.

So! I thought, why not outline some benefits and downfalls of getting married at Okay Island so that you can gather a better sense of if Okay Island is for you and your wedding day!?

K, let’s review:

Complete Creative Control

You get to pick the exact vendors who align with your style, vision, and budget. As well as where exactly on the grounds you hope to have ceremony – with a few acres of land to work with and a cool hoop-house-like indoor space that can be totally customized to any artistic vision. Whether you want a photographer who specializes in candid moments (hi!), a caterer known for vegan cuisine, or a florist who can create unique, wildflower-inspired arrangements, the choice is entirely yours.

You can really customize every aspect of your wedding—from the menu to the decor to the music – to where you want your guests to socialize and party. If you have specific ideas in mind for how your wedding should look, sound, or feel, being able to choose your own vendors allows you to make it happen.

You can have your wedding reflect you and your partner’s personalities in every detail. This DIY freedom allows you to design everything from your ceremony seating to your reception layout, whether you’re imagining a cozy, rustic setup or something more formal and grand.

Flexibility in Budgeting

When you bring in your own vendors, you have the ability to shop around and find the best value for your budget. You’re not tied to a pre-set vendor package from the venue, which can sometimes include markups or services you don’t need. This can help you save money in certain areas and spend more on things that matter most to you (like upgrading your food or hiring a band you really love).

With no restrictions on which vendors you can use, you have the freedom to choose those who fit both your needs and your price point. You can also potentially negotiate directly with each vendor for better deals, and often work out payment schedules or package deals.

Access to Specialized Vendors

Some venues that provide a full vendor list may only work with larger, more mainstream vendors. By selecting your own, you can bring in specialized professionals who are experts in the specific types of services you want—such as a photographer who specializes in aerial drone shots, a boutique wedding cake designer, or a local farm-to-table caterer.

If you already know vendors from past events, family, or friends, or if you’re working with someone local who has a reputation for excellence, you can bring them in and ensure the highest level of quality and personal connection.

Greater Flexibility with Timeline: Since you’re not locked into a pre-set schedule from the venue’s in-house coordinators, you can work with your vendors to create a timeline that works best for you. Whether you want a long cocktail hour, a sunset ceremony, or a late-night dance party, you can arrange everything according to your preferences.

While some couples may feel overwhelmed by the thought of coordinating all their vendors, it can actually help maintain a sense of autonomy and avoid the strict schedules or vendor rules that come with venues offering “all-inclusive” packages.

Better Vendor Relationships

By choosing your own vendors, you have the opportunity to create personal relationships with each vendor, which can result in better communication, trust, and overall satisfaction. Since you’re not working through a venue’s coordinator, you’re directly involved with the people who will be helping to bring your vision to life. Though I would still highly recommend working with some sort of wedding coordinator or planner to assure all of these custom details and individualized choices are kept organized and in the hands of a professional – less stress for you, babe!

Possible Drawbacks to Consider:

More Work: You’ll be responsible for finding, hiring, and communicating with multiple vendors, which can take more time and effort.

Logistics: You’ll need to coordinate logistics like vendor arrival times, setup, and breakdown, which might require more detailed planning.

Vendor Coordination: If you have multiple vendors, they’ll need to be coordinated and might need to work within a certain timeline. Without the venue’s event manager, this will be up to you or your planner to handle.

For the Guests:

Dress Code Considerations: the ceremony location is likely to be in the large field on site. Therefore, you will want to consider some of these aspects in choosing your outfit, shoes and learn about the accessibility of the venue.

Footwear: Let guests know ahead of time that the ground might be uneven or soft, especially since the field has areas of grass and dirt. High heels might not be the best choice. I would recommend comfortable footwear, such as wedges, flats, or a boot, which will be more practical for walking in a field.

Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Since it’s outdoors, weather conditions can matter so make sure guests are aware that temperatures might fluctuate. If the ceremony is in the evening, it can get chilly, so suggesting layers or light jackets for the cooler part of the day is a good idea.

Bug Repellent: Fields often mean that nature is in full swing—this could include insects! Depending on the time of year and location, you might want to let guests know to bring some bug repellent or provide it at the venue.

Restrooms: Outdoor venues might not have traditional indoor bathrooms. There could be porta-potties or luxury restroom trailers (often called “glamping toilets”) on site. If this is the case, let guests know ahead of time so they aren’t surprised. It’s also good to clarify how far they might have to walk to use the facilities.

Seating: If the ceremony and reception are in a grassy area, it’s important to let guests know whether there will be seating provided. For example, will there be chairs for the ceremony? If it’s a standing ceremony, that should be mentioned. If there are limited seats or folding chairs, letting guests know can help them plan accordingly.

Water Stations: Since outdoor weddings can be a bit warmer, especially if it’s in a field during the summer, having water stations available throughout the event is a nice touch. Informing guests that hydration will be available can help them stay comfortable.

Weather Conditions: The weather can change quickly in an outdoor setting, so it’s important for guests to be aware that the ceremony could be postponed or moved indoors if there’s heavy rain or extreme weather. Providing a clear rain plan or backup location helps manage expectations.

Sun Protection: A wedding in a field might involve direct sunlight for part of the day, so suggest that guests bring sunscreen or wear hats and sunglasses if it’s sunny, especially if the ceremony is during peak sunlight hours.

Accessibility:

Uneven Terrain: The ceremony field does not have paved paths, and depending on the exact chosen location, there might be uneven or slightly rugged terrain. Guests with mobility challenges or those in need of extra support (like elderly family members or people with disabilities or wheelchair users) should be informed ahead of time. If the venue provides a way to assist with transportation, like a golf cart or shuttle to transport guests to and from the ceremony space, it’s good to highlight that as well.

Walking Distance: Guests do have to walk a bit to get to the ceremony site, especially for the further parking lot available as the main lot (which is closer) will fill up quick. If there are any significant distances to cover, it’s important to let guests know so they’re prepared for the walk.

Ultimately, choosing a venue that requires you to bring in your own vendors and truly customize your day like Okay Island gives you a high level of flexibility to tailor every aspect of your wedding. It’s perfect for couples who want to personalize their event, control costs and select vendors that best suit their style. It can be more work than your average wedding, but the result is a wedding that’s entirely your own.

Pro Tip: Figure out the sunset time for your wedding day and try to plan your ceremony location and time for the best light. This will help prevent you and your guests squinting or leaving you in total shadow during ceremony. This will also prevent any funky shadows from a low lying sun in the sky. Just keep in mind the background of wherever you choose for the ceremony location on site.