Ideas for Your Outdoor Wedding

Ideas for Simple Outdoor Weddings

Planning an outdoor wedding? Are you overwhelmed with the prospect of planning your wedding?

These simple tips and ideas are here to help you plan the perfect wedding. These ideas and themes will make it easy for you to have the perfect day with minimal stress.

First let's agree that the easiest ways to relieve the stress when planning your outdoor wedding (if you don't have a limitless budget) is to stay flexible, be smart, and be creative with the ideas :)

Outdoor Reception Ideas

For those on a budget consider having a "potluck reception". The wedding party can provide the main dish, and have guests bring side items. This is great for large families that love to cook, and it makes for a relaxed reception.

Do you have a bigger budget?With a little more funding, a BBQ reception that is fully catered is totally suitable for outdoor wedding receptions. If you're going for a fancier outdoor event, then you can go for a more traditional sit-down affair.

Outdoor Wedding Decor Ideas

Your outdoor wedding ideas will of course include the décor. Whether you're having a large or small outdoor wedding, wedding receptions should incorporate elements of nature, accompanied by traditional wedding décor. In addition to great lighting (like paper lanterns) ribbons, flowers, and fabrics work together to create the complete package.

A simple scattering of rose petals is an inexpensive way to add color and romance to your ceremony

Check out our outdoor wedding decoration ideas

The Planning Process

When planning your outdoor wedding ideas, consider location, parking, seating and the rain plan. Will you be hosting one of the outdoor wedding receptions, or would you rather have access to an indoor area for the food and celebration?

Get more outdoor planning tips

Lights for Outdoor Weddings

Depending on the time of day, lighting is an important factor in outdoor wedding ideas. For outdoor wedding receptions, you will need lighting whether it's in a tent or in the open. Consider tea lights, candles, and string lights - usually a combination of all kinds provides lighting for different areas.

Paper lanterns are a simple and inexpensive
way to snazz up your wedding tent!

Tents & Outdoor Weddings

Plan well ahead of time in for outdoor wedding receptions to get a tent for the wedding. This is one of the outdoor wedding ideas that has saved the day for many brides who want to make sure their wedding day isn't affected by the weather.

Outdoor Weddings Simplified

Making your wedding simple will relieve stress. For the bride who doesn't want a lot of fanfare, outdoor wedding ideas are abundant to keep your day stress free. Using the natural beauty of the outdoors gives the bride and groom a beautiful setting for an outdoor wedding - and outdoor wedding receptions can be made just as simple.

Check out our top tips for planning a simple wedding.

Can You Have a Fall or Winter Outdoor Wedding?

Fall and winter outdoor wedding ideas can present some challenges, but in warmer climates are still very manageable. Electric and wood outdoor heaters can be set up throughout the site to provide not only warmth, but some soft lighting as well. Outdoor wedding receptions can be held in the same area to keep the heat sources centralized.

Themes for Outdoor Weddings

Outdoor wedding ideas include themes that range from minimalist to elaborate and formal. The beauty of the outdoor wedding is the range of themes - from beach to mountain, garden to campground - it all depends on what the represents the couple.