If you ask a child if she took a cookie from cookie jar, how will she respond if she is indeed guilty of stealing an Oreo? Of course, she will avoid eye contact as she tells you that she was nowhere near forbidden dessert.

This is similar to response you will get from an adult who feels he has betrayed your confidence or has bad news to tell. People in Western Culture who don’t make eye contact are viewed as untrustworthy, unbelievable, or unsure. Confident people make solid eye contact.

Be careful, however, not to overpower a shy person with too much eye contact. If you feel that you are conversing with an unsure or overly shy person, don’t stare at them too much in an attempt to make eye contact. You don’t want to overwhelm them.

1. THE WIND

Wind can affect many things: temperature, making it hotter or colder; bridesmaids' dresses; everyone's hair; and whether ceremony can be heard. Test beforehand. It can be as simple as moving tables around a corner, or across park to a more sheltered area.

Plan decorations and tablecloths you can anchor attractively; choose weighted fabrics for attendants; warn them about hair thing; and consider need for a sound system and mike clips. If you're renting a tent, make sure it’s wind-worthy.

2. THE COMFORT OF YOUR GUESTS.

Okay, if you're getting married in San Diego, you can count on perfect conditions, but failing that, your event may be hotter, wetter, or colder than many guests would prefer.

If you're having a lot of out-of-towners, particularly, include information about weather possibilities on an insert with invitation along with accommodation recommendations. (I went to an outdoor wedding in Dallas in July; 111 degrees that day, and boy were people from Colorado and La Jolla dressed wrong!)

If it's hot, provide iced bottles of water when they arrive, and hand fans, and if you have a tent, rent fans. If it's chilly, have a tent, warmers, a hot beverage when they arrive, and lap blankets.

3. YOU MUST HAVE A PLAN B IN CASE IT POURS DOWN RAIN.

4. HOW TOUGH ARE YOU?

Come on now, if you're at all fussy type, or prone to nerves, this simply isn't for you. You'll have to manage your hair outside, for heaven's sake.

5. THE CALL OF THE WILD.

Inclement weather - or even just ordinary ocean waves and bird calls – can wreak havoc with still photographs and videos alike. I recall an amateur wedding video where most of sound was wind whistling around. There may also be a fountain or waterfall, dogs barking, kids screaming, birds chirping.

6. DECORATIONS