Transforming Indoor Weddings To Look Like Outdoor Ceremonies

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, and deciding on a venue is one of the most important decisions to make. While some couples opt for traditional indoor weddings, others may prefer the charm and beauty of an outdoor celebration. But what if you want to bring the outdoors inside? Creating an indoor wedding with the feel of an outdoor celebration is a unique way to have the best of both worlds. Here are some tips to make your indoor wedding feel like a dreamy outdoor affair:

1. Find a blank canvas: Look for a versatile space such as an empty loft or open area that allows you to create the desired atmosphere. This gives you a blank slate to work with and brings your creative vision to life.

2. Lighting is key: Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood for your indoor-outdoor wedding. Consider using outdoor string lights or bistro lights to add a touch of drama and elegance. The soft glow of string lights can transform any space and create a romantic ambiance.

3. Bring nature inside: Don't be afraid to incorporate natural elements into your indoor wedding. Large trees, plants, and other natural decorations can be used to make your space feel like an intimate outdoor venue. This brings the beauty of the outdoors in, creating a unique and memorable setting.

4. Creative décor: Think outside the box when it comes to décor. You can hang chandeliers from trees or create whimsical lightbulb flower holders. Use old picture frames for a DIY photo booth or build your own seating and dance floor from recycled wood pallets. These creative touches will make your indoor wedding stand out.

5. Accommodate the weather: Even though you're indoors, don't forget about the weather! Provide fans or air conditioning for hot summer days and blankets for chilly evenings. Consider making your wedding programs into fans for a practical and fun touch.

6. Utilize resources: If you're on a budget, get creative with your decorations. Visit thrift stores and antique shops for unique glass vases and candles to decorate your tables and photo booth. Every little detail adds to the overall atmosphere of your indoor-outdoor wedding.

Choose a blank canvas location

Choosing a blank canvas location for your indoor wedding is a great way to create the look and feel of an outdoor celebration. Here are some tips and ideas to help you select the perfect blank canvas venue:

Versatility and Potential

When selecting a blank canvas venue, look for a space that offers versatility and the potential to create something unique. This could be a venue with simple neutral tones, large empty spaces, or a rustic backdrop that can be transformed. Converted warehouses, gallery spaces, and stripped-back heritage venues with lots of white and bright light are excellent choices. These venues provide a foundation that you can build upon and personalize to reflect your style and love story.

Flexibility and Amenities

As you explore blank canvas options, consider venues that offer flexibility and a range of amenities. Some venues, like Blank Canvas Weddings, offer exclusive access to private homes in beautiful settings. They often have trusted suppliers for catering, photography, flowers, and other services, making it easier to plan your special day. You can also choose from various structure options, such as traditional, frame, or stretch tent marquees, to suit your wedding theme and size.

Location and Scenery

When selecting a blank canvas venue, consider the location and surrounding scenery. If you're looking to bring the outdoors inside, choose a venue with easy access to natural elements like trees, plants, or flowers. This will allow you to incorporate these elements into your decor, creating an intimate and charming atmosphere. Additionally, think about the view you want to offer your guests. If you're drawn to outdoor weddings because of the natural scenery, don't sacrifice that. Choose a venue with sweeping views or a beautiful garden, and incorporate the natural surroundings into your decor.

Size and Accommodations

Consider the size of your guest list and choose a blank canvas venue that can comfortably accommodate everyone. Ensure that the venue has enough space for dining, dancing, and any other activities you plan to include. If you're inviting a large number of guests, you may need to opt for a more spacious location, like a loft or a converted warehouse. Additionally, think about other accommodations, such as parking availability, nearby register offices, and accommodation options for your guests.

Creativity and Personalization

A blank canvas venue allows you to unleash your creativity and personalize the space to reflect your vision. Start by establishing a theme and color palette that represents your personalities and interests. Incorporate unique signage, welcome displays, meaningful photo displays, and customized tablescapes. Add your favorite flowers or lighting to make the space vibrant and intimate. Don't be afraid to bring outdoor elements inside to create a cozy and romantic atmosphere.

By choosing a blank canvas location, you can design your indoor wedding with the same freedom and creativity often associated with outdoor celebrations. With the right venue and your personal touches, you can make your special day unforgettable.

Get creative with lighting

Lighting is a critical element of your wedding, both for setting the mood and showing off all the details—from the flowers to the dress—that you've spent months perfecting.

If you're looking to make your indoor wedding feel like an outdoor celebration, consider the following lighting ideas:

• Bring the outdoors in: If your venue has high ceilings, hang chandeliers from them, or suspend them from branches if you've incorporated trees. You can also drape string lights or fairy lights over a dance floor, or incorporate them into a design with more formal candelabras.
• Go rustic: For a rustic wedding, opt for rattan lanterns with floating votive candles, or a greenery chandelier made from eucalyptus, smilax, or seasonal evergreens.
• Add a whimsical touch: Use paper lanterns in different sizes to create a multi-dimensional focal piece above the dance floor.
• Make it personal: If you want to add a unique, personal touch to your lighting, consider a custom gobo—a template that light shines through to create a pattern or motif on a wall, ceiling, or floor. You could project your initials, wedding date, or a sweet saying like "Love Never Fails".
• Keep it simple: For a small, intimate wedding, you can use simple string lights draped over trees and votive candles on tables to create a warm, romantic atmosphere.
• Think about power: If you're having a big indoor wedding, you may need to bring in generators for more power. Talk to your venue about their power options and what lighting they will allow.
• Combine LED and traditional bulbs: While LED lights are cost-effective and long-lasting, an event lit entirely by LED may look flat. Combine LED with traditional bulbs to create a warm, cozy feeling.
• Highlight key features: Use lighting to draw attention to (or away from) different areas. For example, use uplights to highlight a stunning architectural detail, or put a pattern wash on the ceiling of a tent to make the space feel more intimate.
• Light surrounding areas: Don't forget to light the areas outside your main venue space. Lighting the trees, nearby buildings, or surrounding greenery will expand the scope of your reception and make the space feel bigger.

With a bit of creativity and careful planning, you can use lighting to transform your indoor venue and create a magical atmosphere that your guests will remember.

Bring the outdoors in

If you're looking to bring the beauty of nature to your indoor wedding, here are some tips to create a charming and relaxed atmosphere while avoiding any worries about the weather.

Firstly, find a blank canvas for your venue. An empty loft or open space will give you the freedom to create the look you want. This could be a blank indoor space that you can transform with creative inspiration, or even your own home, which can add a sentimental touch to your celebration. Using your home as your venue also means you can get ready in a familiar, comfortable space, such as your childhood bedroom.

Next, consider lighting. Outdoor string lights can add a dramatic, whimsical feel to your wedding, but be sure to have more than just motion sensor lights, especially when the sun sets. Hang string lights in trees, around your venue, or anywhere that suits your vision. You could also hang chandeliers from large tree branches or a homemade arbor decorated with flowers and greenery. If you want to add a unique touch, recycle old light bulbs and turn them into flower holders that you can hang along the aisle or around the reception area.

Now, bring the outside in. Large trees, plants, and other natural elements can be brought inside to make your venue feel like an intimate outdoor space. If you're using your own home, you can also incorporate indoor furniture and decor into your wedding setup. Display family photos, use your own dinnerware, or bring in potted plants and flowers from your garden to use as centrepieces.

Finally, don't forget the little details that will enhance the atmosphere. Succulents make great DIY wedding gifts for your guests, and birdseed is a fun, biodegradable alternative to confetti that will attract feathered friends to your garden. If you want to keep your guests entertained, set up outdoor games like cornhole, and provide comfortable seating areas with plenty of pillows and blankets to keep everyone cosy.

Prepare for bugs and other pests

Bugs and pests are an unfortunate reality of outdoor weddings, but there are many ways to prepare for them and minimise their impact on your big day. Here are some detailed tips to help you manage any unwanted guests:

Choose the Right Venue and Timing:

• When selecting a venue, visit the location at the same time of year as your wedding to assess the bug situation. Florals and water features are attractive additions to your venue, but they can also attract insects.
• Opt for a private property where you have more control over prevention and mitigation techniques.
• If possible, avoid times of day when bugs are most active, such as dawn, dusk, mornings, and evenings. A mid-afternoon wedding is less likely to be disrupted by pests.

Venue and Catering Preparation:

• Ask the venue about their pest prevention methods, what types of repellents they use, and their spraying schedule. Request that they spray the area ahead of time to reduce the bug population.
• Ensure the venue or your pest control company uses natural essential oil treatments with ingredients like lemongrass, citronella, and cedarwood oil, rather than pesticides, which can be harmful and attract more bugs.
• Work with your caterers to keep food covered and carefully monitored. Set up fans to circulate the air and create movement, deterring bugs from hovering over the food and drinks.
• Keep trash cans and food waste away from the dining area, as these can attract flies and other pests.

Decorative Solutions:

• Incorporate bug-repelling items into your decor. Provide decorative baskets with bug spray or wipes for guests to apply.
• Strategically place citronella candles around the venue, especially near the entrance and along pathways. These can be both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
• Use flowers and herbs that act as natural repellents, such as lavender, marigolds, petunias, mint, chrysanthemums, and alliums. However, be mindful that very fragrant flowers may attract bees and other insects.

Guest Comfort:

• Offer fans and bug spray/wipes to guests upon arrival, providing options for those with different preferences.
• Advise guests to bring extra layers, such as shawls or light cover-ups, to protect their skin from bug bites.
• If children are attending, provide kid-friendly repellents with no more than 10-30% DEET.

By following these steps and being proactive, you can help ensure that bugs and pests do not ruin your special day and that your guests remain comfortable and happy.

Rent nice restrooms

Renting nice restrooms is an important consideration for your wedding, and can make a huge difference to your guests' experience. Even if there are permanent facilities available, you may want to consider luxury restroom rentals to avoid issues with overcrowding, or problems with plumbing.

There are a variety of options available, from individual porta-cabins with flush units and sinks, to luxury restroom trailers. Trailers are essentially regular bathrooms with running water, ample lighting, climate-controlled interiors, flushing toilets, and plenty of space. They can also be customised with hardwood floors, ambient audio controls, and LED lighting.

When it comes to luxury restroom trailers, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 to over $15,000. This is a significant expense, so be sure to factor it into your budget early on. To save money, you could opt for basic porta-potties, but be aware that these may not offer the same level of comfort and convenience as the more expensive options.

To make your rented restrooms even more luxurious, consider adding some subtle extras such as luxe soaps, fresh flowers, and monogrammed towels. You could also hire a restroom attendant to assist your guests and keep the facilities in top condition throughout your event.

When planning the number of restrooms to rent, a good rule of thumb is to have one bathroom or stall for every 35 guests. For a wedding with 150-175 people, this would mean having three to four stalls for women and three stalls for men. However, be sure to consult with your wedding planner and the coordinator at your venue to determine the best option for your specific needs.

Frequently asked questions