For most couples, the wedding day is the happiest day of their lives. It’s an opportunity to affirm their love for each other in the presence of family, friends and all the people that mean the most to them in the world. And while, traditionally, weddings have been held in churches, there is an increasing trend for couples to add their own spin to the wedding, holding it in weird and wonderful locations to make the event unique and memorable. From historic national parks to lovely backyard pergolas , here we look at five non-traditional wedding locations.

National park wedding

The world is full of beautiful national parks abounding with all sorts of trees, plants and wildlife that can provide the perfect backdrop for your special day. However, these places remain beautiful because they’re well protected, so if you wish to hold a ceremony in any national parks you’ll need to apply for a permit from the region’s national park and wildlife service. Still, if you can get that piece of paperwork out of the way, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning and memorable location — and the photos will look amazing.

Beach wedding

If you and your partner love the sand and surf, then why not host your wedding on the place that makes you the most happy? The beach wedding is an excellent option in summer if you want a relaxed and sunny vibe for your ceremony. Some beaches require permission to use for a wedding ceremony, so if you’ve picked your spot then contact the local council to find out if it’s okay to hold your wedding there, or if you’ll need to fill in some paperwork. Most importantly, have a contingency plan in case the rain comes — you’ll be exposed to the elements with nowhere to hide!

Historic house wedding

Weddings are all about tradition and creating a sense of history, and nothing conveys that better than a building that was constructed over 100 years ago. Historic houses can be found wherever you are in the world, and many of them allow happy couples to take advantage of their grandiose design on a wedding day. If you have a spot that you find particularly appealing, contact the people or the trust that are in charge of the building and find out what is required to use the place for your happy day. If it’s a particularly popular place, you may need have others looking to book it too, so get in early.

Sailboat wedding

For something really different, why not hire a boat for the day and take your guests out onto the wide open seas? Sailing weddings are great for romantic and adventurous couples, and the accompanying metaphor of setting sail in your new life together is another bonus. You can stop at wonderful tropical locations and toast with champagne as the sun sets on the horizon. Many companies offer sailboat weddings, so jump on Google and see what you can find.

Backyard wedding

If you have a pretty backyard that is big enough to hold many guests, nothing provides an intimate and homely feel to your big day like a backyard wedding. Leafy pergolas and gazebos are great backyard structures that can be taken advantage of, and verandas are a great place for guests to gather for a good old-fashioned feed after the ceremony.

If you’ve decided to add value and appeal to your home by installing a pergola or veranda, you’ve still got  lot of decisions to make! Style, size, shape and materials are all factors you should take into consideration, but the most important decision you’ll make is which company you decide to go with. There are several things that a good installation company should offer, and we’ve put together a list to help make the choice easier!

Budget Consideration

A good veranda company will take your budget concerns into consideration and speak with you extensively about options, alternatives and which products will work best with your limitations. If a company neglects to discuss your options with you and insists on trying to ‘upsell’ certain  products to you, they’re probably not taking your needs and concerns into consideration. The more versatile a company is able to be, the more trust they deserve from you.

Style and Design

A company willing to share their design knowledge with you is a good investment–with a wealth of experience installing all kinds of different verandas and pergolas, a good company should be able to take your desires, the limitations of the space and the requirements of the local council into consideration and come up with a few options and designs for you to look at. It’s important to choose a company that is willing to spend time customising a solution for your home, rather than trying to force an existing design without having spent the time to analyse your space.

Timelines

While it is impossible to give an exact date for completion with structural changes (as local laws and regulations have to be taken into consideration) be wary of a company that gives you no timeline whatsoever. All projects should have a detailed planning process so while they may not be able to give you exact dates, they should be able to project a basic time structure and share that with your family. Having said this, any company that gives you an ‘airtight guarantee’ of when your veranda will be finished should be approached with some skepticism.

Choosing the right company to install your veranda or pergola is the first and most important decision you should make after you’ve decided to add one to your home. It’s not only important that you find a company skilled in the design and installation process–you need to find one that is able to communicate properly with you and present you with the right options. As with any business agreement, communication is vital, and should be one thing you don’t negotiate on.

When the weather is perfect, Aussies tend to spend more time on their verandas or under their pergolas than inside the house. Whether you need to build a veranda or perk up an existing area, a bit of thought, imagination and planning will see you on your way to enjoying more of your leisure time in the great outdoors. Create a space that’s warm and inviting by following these five simple steps.

1. Lights for Ambience

Unless you only use your house patio for afternoon teas, chances are the bulk of time spent on your patio will be at night. A bit of thoughtful planning can have the area bathed in a soft glow emanating from cleverly placed lighting.

Instead of traditional lights it is well worth looking into the cheaper and easy to install alternatives. Solar lights along paths leading to the veranda are cost and energy efficient and easily installed. Freestanding lamps can be found at flea markets and garage sales. Spruce them up with a new shade and energy efficient light bulbs. Stand them either side of the entrance to your pergola or veranda for an instant lift.

Is there anything warmer or more inviting than candle light? Candle holders can vary from recycled glass (think honey jar or wine bottle) to clay lanterns. Use citronella candles and you have protection from mosquitoes as well.

2. A Firepit for Cooking or for Warmth

Why not move away from the traditional barbecue that you see on other verandas and use a fire pit for cooking? A built in firepit can also be the focus of the area with seating strategically placed for cosy gatherings around the fire on those cooler nights. Add a grill plate or rotisserie and you can have your guests helping to cook their own meal.

Imagine slow roasting one of the larger joints of meat or a whole fish in the ground in the Polynesian fashion or vegetable packs wrapped in foil and hidden in the coals. The possibilities are endless.

3. Landscaped Areas on the Verge of the Patio

Not only do you want the patio area to look good it is important that the surrounding areas are inviting too. Pergolas are the perfect spot to introduce some greenery. Train a grape vine and in a couple of years you’ll be eating the fruit as well as providing a shady spot in summer when you need it.

Build a rockery and garden beds around the edge of the veranda and plant them with marigolds and petunias for colour and vibrancy.

4. Add Some Awnings or Blinds to Keep Out the Sun

If the budget allows, installing awnings or blinds can be a great investment, are a stylish addition to verandas and keep the area protected from the sun.

Bamboo blinds are a cheaper alternative and may lead you on to creating a tropical theme. If you are keen enough you can even make your own. There are plenty of web sites providing instructions. Source the materials from your local hardware store and you’ll be shaded in no time.

5. Create a Water Feature

For so many of us living in suburbia the cooling sound of a rippling brook is out of reach. This is easily remedied with a simple water fountain. Incorporate a fish pond in to your plans before you build a veranda or make it an additional feature if the veranda is already established.

By using a little imagination and creativity your outdoor area can come to life in a weekend providing a relaxed atmosphere for family and friends.