Plan A Magical Outdoor Wedding On A Budget

Planning an outdoor wedding on a budget? The key is to keep it simple. It's easy to get carried away with grand displays, but you can still have an elegant and tasteful wedding without breaking the bank. If you're looking for a super affordable venue, consider hosting your wedding in your backyard or a relative's. This is a great way to infuse your wedding with rustic or intimate vibes. To keep costs down, only rent the necessities, like tables, linens, a dance floor, tents, and attire. You can also set up self-serve food and drink stations to avoid paying for bartenders and servers.

Keep it simple

The key to an outdoor, budget-friendly wedding is to keep it simple. It’s easy to get carried away with grand displays when looking for decor ideas, but you can still have a wedding ceremony and reception that exude elegance and taste without breaking the bank.

If you can avoid renting anything, that's ideal. But for most people, it’s just not realistic. To stay cost-efficient, rent only the necessities. Make a checklist for things you can’t provide – these might be tables, linens, a dance floor, tents, and attire. Find the best prices and do your research! Decide what elements are most important to you, and then figure out how to fit the items at the top of your list and into your budget. Remember to find out the return policy for each rental vendor you work with. For example, companies sometimes require that votives and glassware be cleaned and boxed before being taken back – fines can be added if directions aren't followed.

One way to keep costs down is to host the wedding in your backyard or a relative's backyard. This can bring a cozy familiarity to your ceremony and is a great way to infuse your wedding with rustic or intimate vibes.

Paying bartenders and servers is costly. To stick to your low-budget wedding plan, think about setting up self-serve food and drink. You can set out disposable hot holding stations via chafing dishes and Sterno, and keep the drinks confined to coolers and a DIY bar.

Self-serve food and drink

To keep costs down, it's a good idea to set up self-serve food and drink stations. You can use disposable hot holding stations via chafing dishes and Sterno, and keep drinks confined to coolers and a DIY bar.

You could also consider a backyard wedding, which is a super affordable option (it's free!) and a great way to infuse your wedding with rustic or intimate vibes. You can grill food and have lawn games to keep the mood light.

If you do decide to rent a venue, make sure you only rent the necessities. Make a checklist of things you can't provide, such as tables, linens, a dance floor, tents, and attire, and find the best prices. You will also need to rent a dance floor and aisle runner for an outdoor wedding.

Rent only the necessities

To keep costs down, only rent the necessities. Make a checklist of things you can't provide, such as tables, linens, a dance floor, tents, and attire. Find the best prices and do your research. Decide what elements are most important to you, and then figure out how to fit the items at the top of your list into your budget. Remember to find out the return policy for each rental vendor you work with. For example, companies sometimes require that votives and glassware be cleaned and boxed before being taken back – fines can be added if directions aren't followed.

If you can get through the wedding planning without having to rent anything, well done! But for most people, it’s just not realistic. If you're having an outdoor wedding, don't forget the lawn games! No matter the age of your guests, having fun lawn games can keep the mood light and also result in hilarity if your guests imbibe.

If you're looking for a super affordable venue, consider a backyard wedding. Hosting right at home is a great way to infuse your wedding with rustic or intimate vibes. Getting married in a familiar place, like a relative’s backyard, can bring a cozy familiarity to your ceremony. This is the same yard where you grew up catching fireflies in the grass, or snacking on delicious food fresh off the grill.

Keep the decor simple. It’s easy to get carried away with grand displays when perusing Pinterest or Instagram for decor ideas, but you can still have a wedding ceremony and reception that exude elegance and taste without breaking the bank.

Backyard wedding

The key to an outdoor, budget-friendly wedding is to keep it simple. It's easy to get carried away with grand displays, but you can still have a wedding ceremony and reception that exude elegance and taste without breaking the bank.

If you're looking for a super affordable outdoor wedding venue, consider a backyard wedding. Not only is this venue free, but hosting right at home is also a great way to infuse your wedding with rustic or intimate vibes. Getting married in a familiar place, like a relative's backyard, can bring a cozy familiarity to your ceremony.

To stay cost-efficient, rent only the necessities. Make a checklist of things you can't provide, such as tables, linens, a dance floor, tents, and attire. Find the best prices and do your research! Remember to find out the return policy for each rental vendor you work with. For example, companies sometimes require that votives and glassware be cleaned and boxed before being taken back—fines can be added if directions aren't followed.

Another way to save money is to set up self-serve food and drink. You can set out disposable hot holding stations via chafing dishes and Sterno, and keep the drinks confined to coolers and a DIY bar.

Lawn games

When it comes to lawn games, there are plenty of options to keep your guests entertained without breaking the bank.

If you're looking for a simple, affordable way to add some fun to your outdoor wedding, lawn games are a great option. From classic games like croquet and bocce ball to more unique options like giant Jenga or cornhole, there's something for everyone. These games can be set up in advance and left out for guests to enjoy throughout the day, providing hours of entertainment.

To keep costs down, consider borrowing or renting games instead of buying them. Ask your friends and family if they have any lawn games they'd be willing to lend, or look for rental companies that offer affordable rates. You can also make your own games with a little creativity and DIY skills. For example, you could create a ring toss game using PVC pipe or a giant Scrabble board with painted wooden tiles.

If you're feeling particularly creative, you could even design your own lawn game that ties into your wedding theme. For example, if you're having a rustic wedding, you could create a game involving wooden crates or hay bales. Or, for a more elegant affair, you could set up a sophisticated croquet course with decorative arches and colourful balls. The possibilities are endless, and your guests are sure to appreciate the extra effort and personal touch.

Frequently asked questions