Weddingbee boards

I think you have a bit of misinformation. While some churches do have relics, not all do. Think of all the "Our Lady" parishes - they don't all have a relic of the Virgin Mary.

This helps explain the Church's reasoning: http://www.catholicweddinghelp.com/questions/outdoor-wedding.htm

"No one would argue against the beauty of a natural setting; after all, creation reveals the presence of the Creator in a powerful way. But Catholics remember that Jesus Christ promised to continue to be present whenever his friends gathered in his name. The church building is the "house" in which the followers of Jesus do this on a regular basis to celebrate weddings and funerals and baptisms and confirmations and reconciliations and anointings of the sick—in short, all the most important events of their lives. For Catholics, it makes sense to begin a new household in this sacred house. Doing so symbolizes the new family's connection with the wider community of believers—not only those present at the wedding, but also all the parishioners who gather in that space, and ultimately, the universal Church."

I have never heard that, and in all honestly it sounds like a bit of urban legend to me.

I have heard that some priests will do outdoor ceremonies if you have the approval of the local diocese (which RARELY if ever happens). My church refused to do an outdoor ceremony, so we are being married by my fiance's Lutheran pastor. FI obviously is not Catholic, and did not want to get married in a Catholic church due to the whole "contract" ordeal when you marry a non-Catholic. I would have liked to have been married by a priest, but we had to compromise. At least I get my beautiful outdoor ceremony!

I don't think that's true, but the information from @KitKatNYC is certainly helpful. My church has a small grotto area where they will allow outdoor weddings, but that is because it's on the church property. Weddings on the beach, etc. just won't get approved.