Planning an outdoor ceremony in North Texas takes a little extra thought. The weather here can shift from a warm, golden afternoon to a sudden spring storm faster than your florist can rearrange the centerpieces. At Dallas Palms, we have hosted hundreds of outdoor ceremonies across our gardens, and we want to share what actually works so your day runs smoothly from the first processional to the last dance.
Plan Around Texas Seasons, Not Just a Date
North Texas has its own personality when it comes to weather, and couples who plan with that in mind tend to have far smoother days than those who cross their fingers and hope for the best. Spring brings unpredictable storms. Summer afternoons can push into triple digits. Fall is beautiful but brief, and winter evenings cool down quickly once the sun drops. The good news is that a well-chosen outdoor space, paired with a solid backup plan, takes most of that uncertainty off your plate.
Our three outdoor gardens each handle different guest counts and offer distinct settings. The Bel Air Garden spans roughly 10,000 square feet and accommodates ceremony gatherings of 250 to 300 guests. It features an upper ceremony space with an arbor and water feature, plus a lower level with turf, a waterfall, and a lounge fire pit area. The Melrose Garden covers around 5,000 square feet with two pergolas strung with overhead lights, holding up to 160 guests. The Malibu Garden is a more intimate setting at about 4,000 square feet, complete with a ceremony arch, a water feature, and a canopy of string lights overhead.
Time Your Ceremony for the Golden Hour
In Carrollton, the most comfortable outdoor window during late spring through early fall is typically late afternoon. Positioning your ceremony to start as the sun begins to set does two things: it keeps guests out of the harshest midday heat, and it puts your portraits in the warm, directional light that makes every photo look like it was planned by a professional. Our gardens are designed with golden hour aesthetics in mind, so the angles and features are already working in your favor.
Build in a Real Indoor Backup
This is the tip couples most often wish they had taken seriously. A backup plan that actually works means having an indoor space confirmed and set up, not just available in theory. At Dallas Palms, our ballrooms connect to the corresponding gardens, which means transitioning your guests indoors is a calm, organized process rather than a scramble. The Bel Air Ballroom seats up to 500 guests, Melrose holds up to 170, and Malibu accommodates up to 120. Your day-of coordination team handles the logistics, so you are not managing weather decisions on your wedding day.
Dress Your Guests for the Environment
A simple note in your invitation suite goes a long way. Let guests know the ceremony is outdoors, suggest comfortable footwear if your venue has turf or garden pathways, and give them a heads up about the season. Guests who arrive prepared are guests who stay comfortable and stay present.
Use Lighting to Your Advantage
Once the sun sets, good lighting turns an outdoor garden into something genuinely special. Uplighting and ambience lighting are included with room rental at Dallas Palms, so your gardens and architectural features are already accounted for. The string lights in the Melrose and Malibu gardens add warmth and depth that photographs well and feels right for an evening reception.
Your outdoor ceremony deserves more than good weather luck. Our team at Dallas Palms walks through every outdoor event detail with you during your planning consultations, including layout, timing, and contingency logistics. If you are ready to see the gardens in person, call us at (972) 416-1416 or email dallaspalms@gmail.com to schedule a tour. You can also fill out our inquiry form at dallaspalmsvenue.com to access our pricing guide.
FAQs
Can we book the garden separately from the ballroom?
Yes. Gardens can be added onto their corresponding ballrooms or booked separately, depending on your event needs.
Is there an indoor backup option if the weather turns?
Each garden connects to its corresponding ballroom, making an indoor transition straightforward. Your coordination team manages the logistics on the day.
Is lighting included for outdoor garden events?
Uplighting and ambience lighting are included with room rental. The Melrose and Malibu gardens also feature permanent string light installations.
How do I start the planning process?
Reach out by phone at (972) 416-1416, by email at dallaspalms@gmail.com, or fill out the inquiry form at dallaspalmsvenue.com to access the pricing guide and schedule a tour.
