Preparing and serving food is a delicate task in the best of circumstances. Food must be cooked at the right heat, for the right duration, and served - and maintained - at just the right temperature. A few seconds can make a world of difference, so constant vigilance is necessary.

In outdoor venues, however, this task takes on another challenge - how does one maintain the quality and appearance of food and service when conditions are unpredictable? This is especially true in conditions of changing light, and when the area concerned gets windy, dusty, or - if you're really unlucky - rainy.

Here is a set of things to discuss with your caterer while planning your outdoor event -

1. Tell the caterer that the event will be held outdoors. The caterer, unless VERY new to the business, is probably much more experienced than you in handling outdoor functions. Specify the nature of the outdoor location, as "outdoors" could mean anything from a beach to your backyard.

2. Hiring furniture. While halls regularly rented for weddings will typically have their own furniture, this is not always the case at an outdoor venue. You will need to hire chairs and tables, as well as tents and tarpaulins if necessary. Try to go for furniture that is appropriate to the venue - beach chairs at a beach weddings, and benches at a lakeside, for example.

3. What dress code or theme should you choose? Some locations, such as a beach, carry their own dress code and theme. But if you are having your special event at a lawn, you can opt for a themed party, adding a twist to the course of events. However, not all themes are friendly to all locations, so have a quick chat with your caterer and some more level-headed people before making the choice.

4. Lighting. Depending on the time of day and year, you will want different types of lighting. Party lights, wedding lights, string lights, small candle lamps, CFLs... the list goes on. Preferably, opt for soft red or yellow lights as these are soothing to the eye in the dark. If your venue tends to get bug-infested, make sure to have bug repellant lights.

5. Prepare for bad weather. Do not bank on the rainy season being "just over" - pick a venue with adequate indoor accommodation instead. Always have a contingency plan so that your special day doesn't become a washout - literally.

6. Options for keeping food warm or cold, as required. Ovens and heating lamps usually perform the task of warming food quite nicely, but keeping things like icecream in good condition can be a challenge.

7. Choosing the menu. There are many items that do not take well to the outdoors. Delicate soups, dressings and desserts should be completely cut out of the menu.

8. Is finger food an option? Unless having a full-course meal is absolutely necessary for you, why not opt for a menu of only finger foods? Multiple salads and meat dumplings will fill up anyone, and are also quite affordable - ultimately compensating for your raised budget.

9. Outdoor weddings are a wonderfully tempting option for people who want to move outside traditional norms. With these criteria in mind, your outdoor wedding will run smoothly, beautifully and memorably.