wedding

Plan a wedding with a view your family and friends will never forget. (Photo: Alamy)

Weddings

Raising the Roof: Say Your “I Do’s” From on High at a Rooftop Wedding

Plan a wedding with a view your family and friends will never forget. (Photo: Alamy)

Whether your heart is set on a London rooftop wedding or a ceremony in NYC with views of the Empire State Building, there are plenty of things to keep in mind during the planning process. Check out our rooftop wedding ideas and tips below, to see where in the world your ideal rooftop wedding destination is and how to make sure it’s a success.

Ideas to Make Your Rooftop Wedding Pop

The setting of your rooftop wedding will already be enough to make it stand out from the rest, but here are some ways to make the venue of your choice look and feel extra-special:

Make the beautiful cityscape the focal point of your ceremony. When you get married on a rooftop, one of the main perks is the stunning city views surrounding you. Have your guests seated facing the skyline if possible, and have props and decorations in prime locations to encourage guests to take pictures in areas featuring the best views from your venue. Take advantage of the unique photo ops.

One of the coolest aspects of a rooftop wedding is that you can take photos that are impossible at other ceremonies. Looking for a cool aerial angle? Hire a photographer with a drone and they can grab these kinds of exciting images. Not to mention that simply having the cityscape behind you in your wedding photos will be nothing short of breathtaking.

Consider giving out practical wedding favors. Is the sun scheduled to shine bright the day of your wedding? If so, a cute pair of shades and some sunscreen can serve as the perfect wedding favor. For a night wedding, try something fun like sparklers or glow-in-the-dark accessories.

Tips for a Successful Event

Be sure to consider the time of day of your ceremony to determine lighting and accessories. Getting married in the middle of the day? Setting up parasols for your guests will block the sun and serve as a cute addition to your wedding décor. Having a nighttime ceremony? Strings of lights can make the ceremony feel even more intimate and romantic.

Secure everything in the event of gusty winds. While being on top of a building or structure offers great views, it can also sometimes mean battling strong winds. Be sure to have everything tied or weighted down at your wedding that could possibly blow away. Simplify the décor. The beautiful vistas from your rooftop venue should be the focal point of your wedding’s “decorations.”

Keep other items simple, such as bows tied on chairs or bouquets of flowers on tables. You can save money while also emphasizing the gorgeous setting of your ceremony. Always have a secondary plan in mind.

No matter how much you plan, sometimes things happen that you don’t account for. Extreme weather, rain, and other factors out of your control can sometimes make a rooftop wedding If you can, try to find a rooftop venue with an adjoining indoor room where guests can retreat in case of cold temperatures or inclement weather.