Planning A Garden Wedding: Tips For A Blooming Celebration

Planning a wedding in a garden setting can be a beautiful way to celebrate your special day. Whether you're inspired by the natural elements of your venue or want to create a more formal atmosphere, there are many ways to make your garden wedding unique. From comfortable seating and decorations hung from tree branches to elegant tents and lighting, the options are endless. Read on for more tips and tricks on how to plan the perfect garden wedding.

Seating and decor

When it comes to seating, comfort is key. You can add comfortable seating to the garden and use the natural scenery as a backdrop. If you want a more formal wedding, you might prefer to tent the space. Sail top tents create an elegant, whimsical vibe, while pole tents with tulle draping on the ceiling can be dressed up with chandeliers or bespoke bistro lighting. Hardwood flooring and elegant Chiavari chairs versus garden chairs can also make the space feel more formal.

For a more casual wedding, you might want to consider fun elements like picnic blankets, beach chairs, wooden benches, and bonfires. These additions can create a dynamic contrast within an elegant setting. You can also create "outdoor rooms" with modern or retro lounge furniture, cocktail high-tops, lattice partitions, or potted plants.

Finally, don't forget to provide shade and shelter for your guests. Umbrellas, canopies, heat lamps, pop-up tents, and personalised parasols can all help to create a comfortable and stylish outdoor wedding.

Tents and canopies

If you're looking to add a touch of elegance and whimsy to your big day, consider sail top tents or pole tents with tulle draping on the ceiling. You can even install chandeliers or bespoke bistro lighting to really set the mood. For an extra touch of luxury, add hardwood flooring to your tent and opt for elegant Chiavari chairs instead of garden chairs. Premium linens such as velvet, brocade, satin, or shantung will also help to elevate the space.

However, if you're going for a more casual feel, you might want to skip the tents altogether and go for a more natural look. Hang decorations from tree branches and incorporate wildflowers into your table settings. You can also create "outdoor rooms" with modern or retro lounge furniture, cocktail high-tops, lattice partitions, or potted plants.

Whatever you choose, remember to stay true to the space and don't block any gorgeous views that your venue may have.

Lighting

If you're looking to add a personal touch to your wedding while keeping costs down, DIY lighting options can be both affordable and stunning. Fairy lights, paper lanterns, and votive candles are just a few examples of how you can create an enchanting atmosphere without breaking the bank. Fairy lights can be draped over tables, wrapped around trees, or placed inside mason jars for a charming, twinkling effect. Paper lanterns add a whimsical feel, especially for outdoor or garden weddings, while votive candles can create a romantic glow when lined along pathways or scattered across tables.

For a more formal wedding, you might prefer to tent the space. Sail top tents create an elegant, whimsical vibe, while pole tents with tulle draping on the ceiling can be dressed up with chandeliers or bespoke bistro lighting.

If you want to highlight key areas like the dance floor or cake table, consider using vibrant string lights or pathway lights. These functional and beautiful lighting solutions enhance safety while adding a warm glow to outdoor spaces. You can also use lanterns with lit candles inside to create a cozy and unexpected backdrop or cocktail hour setting.

Remember to stay true to the space and incorporate the natural scenery into your lighting design. If you have sweeping views, don't block them with walls or other obstructions. Keep it simple and let the lighting enhance the natural beauty of your garden wedding venue.

Flooring

However, if you're aiming for a more casual vibe, you can opt for fun elements like picnic blankets, beach chairs, or wooden benches. These additions can create a dynamic contrast within an elegant garden setting.

Remember, one of the main reasons for choosing an outdoor wedding is likely the natural elements of the venue. So, try to incorporate the natural scenery into your decor. If your garden has brick patios, manicured hedgerows, or trellises, you can use these to create a perfect flow for your celebration.

Additionally, consider the comfort of your guests. If the ground is uneven or there are potential trip hazards, you may want to provide a designated dance floor area with a flat, even surface. This can be achieved through creative use of flooring options or by choosing a location within the garden that already has a suitable surface.

Venue

When it comes to the venue, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want to think about the natural elements of the space and how you can incorporate them into your decor. If you're setting up in a garden with lots of green space, try to use the natural scenery to your advantage. For example, you can hang decorations from tree branches or include clippings from wildflowers in your table settings.

If you're looking for a more formal wedding, you might want to consider tenting the space. This can add an elegant, whimsical vibe with sail top tents or a more traditional feel with pole tents and tulle draping. To make the space feel even more formal, you can add hardwood flooring, elegant chairs, and premium linens like velvet or satin.

On the other hand, if you're going for a more casual vibe, you can create a dynamic contrast by incorporating fun elements like picnic blankets, beach chairs, wooden benches, and bonfires. You can also use modern or retro lounge furniture, cocktail high-tops, lattice partitions, or potted plants to create "outdoor rooms" within the garden.

Don't forget to consider the comfort of your guests. Provide comfortable seating and book both outdoor and indoor areas so guests can relax and move between the two if needed.

Frequently asked questions