Planning A Wedding In Your Garden: A Step-By-Step Guide

Planning a wedding in your garden can be a fun and creative process. Whether you're working with a formal garden or a more natural, unstructured space, there are endless ways to make the setting your own. From comfortable seating to playful decorations, you can incorporate the natural scenery into your decor and create a unique and memorable celebration.

Seating and decor

When it comes to decor, the natural scenery of your garden will be your biggest asset. Incorporate the greenery into your photos by using it as a backdrop and hanging decorations from tree branches. If you have wildflowers, include clippings on your table settings or use your mother's wedding china for a heartwarming touch. You can also add personal touches by using your own belongings and those of your family. That old chandelier you found at a garage sale or Aunt Bessie's antique lawn ornaments can become adorable decorations alongside your sign-in table.

If you're looking for more inspiration, Pinterest is a great resource for design ideas. However, don't be afraid to dare to be different and let your personality shine through. Umbrellas, canopies, heat lamps, and pop-up tents can provide shade and shelter, while also adding a unique twist to your decor. Remember, the overall mood you want to create will drive your choices, so have fun and get creative!

Finally, don't forget the importance of staying true to the space. If you have sweeping views, don't block them with walls or other obstructions. Keep your decor simple and elegant, letting the natural beauty of your garden shine through.

Using the natural scenery

One of the major reasons for choosing an outdoor wedding is to make the most of the natural elements of your venue, so don't take away from it. If you have sweeping views, don't block them. Don't create walls that block the gorgeous view since you booked it for that reason. Stay simple. Incorporate the natural scenery into your decor.

If you're setting up in a garden or an outdoor area with lots of green space, make the most of the greenery as a backdrop for photos. Hang decorations from tree branches or include clippings from the wildflowers on your table settings. You could also use your own belongings, and those of your family, to decorate. For example, polish up an old chandelier you found together at a garage sale, or use Aunt Bessie’s antique lawn ornaments alongside your sign-in table. Your mother’s own wedding china would be a heartwarming addition to your head table place settings.

If your garden is more formal, with brick patios, manicured hedgerows and trellises, you can create a perfect flow for your celebration. If it's more unstructured and rambling, you and your event designer can create “outdoor rooms” with modern or retro lounge furniture, cocktail high-tops, and lattice. You could also add comfortable seating in the garden, such as picnic blankets, beach chairs, wooden benches, and bonfires.

Garden type

The type of garden you have will influence the style of your wedding. Formal gardens, with brick patios, manicured hedgerows and trellises, lend themselves to a more structured celebration, with a natural flow that can be enhanced by the addition of modern or retro lounge furniture, cocktail high-tops, and latticework. If your garden is more unstructured and rambling, you can create 'outdoor rooms' with furniture and decorations.

If your garden has lots of greenery, you can play with this as a backdrop for photos, hanging decorations from tree branches or including clippings from wildflowers in your table settings. You can also incorporate the natural scenery into your decor, for example, by using comfortable seating and booking indoor areas for guests to relax in.

If you're looking for design inspiration, start with your own belongings and those of your family. You could use an old chandelier, antique lawn ornaments, or your mother's wedding china for a heartwarming and meaningful touch.

The mood you want to create will also influence your choices. You might want to include fun elements like picnic blankets, beach chairs, wooden benches, and bonfires for a dynamic contrast, or opt for more elegant additions like umbrellas, canopies, heat lamps, and pop-up tents.

Shelter and shade

If you're planning a wedding in your garden, you'll need to think about shelter and shade for your guests. Umbrellas, canopies, pop-up tents, and parasols can all provide shade and shelter, and can be personalised for the wedding party. You could also provide heat lamps and portable outdoor fire pits to keep guests warm.

If you want to make the most of the natural scenery, you might want to avoid blocking views with walls or other structures. However, if you're worried about the weather, you could create 'outdoor rooms' with modern or retro lounge furniture, or provide picnic blankets and beach chairs for a more casual feel.

Table settings

When it comes to table settings, there are a few ways to incorporate the natural scenery of your garden into your decor. Hang decorations from tree branches or include clippings from wildflowers on your tables. You could also use your own belongings and those of your family to add a personal touch: your mother's wedding china, for example, would be a heartwarming addition to your head table place settings.

If you're looking for a more casual vibe, you could add picnic blankets, beach chairs, wooden benches and bonfires. If you want something more formal, you could opt for modern or retro lounge furniture, cocktail high-tops, and lattice.

Don't forget to provide shade and shelter for your guests, if needed. Umbrellas, canopies, heat lamps, pop-up tents, and portable outdoor fire pits can all come in handy.

Frequently asked questions