39 Outdoor Wedding Ideas on a Budget for the Cost-Conscious Couple
39 Outdoor Wedding Ideas on a Budget for the Cost-Conscious Couple
Everything costs are rising, from petrol and groceries to purchasing a home and getting married. According to Zola, the average wedding will cost about $29,000 in 2023, more than the $27,000 average for 2022. Many engaged couples have found it impossible to save for their ideal wedding—or even host one—as the cost of daily living has increased. To fight escalating event costs, some move their events outside, reduce décor, or reduce the number of guests. We can assist you whether you're struggling financially, looking for inexpensive nuptial tips, or searching for cheap outdoor wedding ideas.
We've put together a list of helpful hints and methods for couples on a tight budget looking for inexpensive outdoor wedding ideas. Whether you're searching for unconventional outdoor settings, DIY ideas, or themes, you'll find all that and more below.
Host an upscale but inexpensive celebration with these outdoor wedding ideas on a budget.
Affordable outdoor wedding themes
Countless design options are available when organizing an outdoor wedding, ranging from understated to completely extravagant. Choosing a wedding theme might make the planning process easier, but it's easy to become overwhelmed. Choose a guiding notion or concept if you're unsure where to begin.
Make use of the location and have a wedding with a lake theme if you're fortunate enough to live close to one. Organize a relaxed event and invite guests to wear swimming suits. You may add paper lanterns and large balloon decorations to your inexpensive lakeside wedding. Do you possess a canoe, a few kayaks, or some other small watercraft? Think of coming in from the water in a spectacular fashion.
2. Garden party wedding
Your backyard can serve as the setting for one of our favorite inexpensive wedding themes: a garden party. A little creativity and a taste for unusual décor will suffice. To construct tables capes inspired by the Mad Hatter's birthday party, gather a variety of teacups, miniature plates, and linen napkins from nearby thrift stores. Serve tea cakes, delectable mini appetizers, and other inexpensive garden wedding suggestions.
Because the forest offers a wealth of sights and noises for guests to appreciate, consider having a wedding with a woodland theme to save a ton of money on decorations. For a playful spring ceremony, set up basic seats in the woods; for a rustic, romantic celebration with changing trees as the backdrop, hold your wedding in a meadow in the fall.
4. Carnival-themed wedding
A carnival theme is ideal for an unexpected, completely unconventional outdoor wedding. Encourage guests to let their freak flags fly by dressing in your favorite costume jewelry and outrageous attire! Professional clowns, face painters, caricature artists, jugglers, fire breathers, and other live performers may dazzle your wedding guests. Performance artists may charge less than bands or musicians do during the wedding season since they frequently work in spurts and make the most of their income during the festival season.
Use burgundy accessories, wooden barrels, and lots of wine to create a rustic vineyard-inspired wedding theme! Incorporate a vineyard motif into your barn or backyard wedding, or host the wedding at a nearby vineyard during the off-season to save a few dollars. By covering wooden arches or comparable frameworks with soft textiles, greenery, and vines, you can replicate the appearance of vineyard trellising.
Budget-friendly outdoor wedding locations
You don't need to search further for ideas for your outdoor wedding. There are numerous affordable event venues available depending on where you reside, such as:
6. The mountains
Look for a location with a glimpse of the North American mountains, which are stunningly magnificent all year round, whether spring, summer, fall, or winter. Whether your wedding takes place on top of a hill or in the foothills of a vast range, the guests will remember the location and the surrounding landscape for years to come.
7. State and national parks
State and national parks contain some of the most breathtaking scenery in the nation. Government-run parks provide excellent outdoor wedding locations with vistas of glaciers, lakes, canyons, and desert landscapes. They offer various event services, from complicated wedding packages to venue-only reservations. Many spots are in hot demand, so make your reservation as soon as possible because of the reasonably priced rental costs and stunning landscapes these parks offer!
8. Community spaces
Search for affordable event venues in your neighborhood and beyond. Events can be held in public parks, gardens, community centers, and leisure facilities. Their BYO-friendly regulations make it simple for thrifty couples to save money, even if they might not provide food service or on-site event staffing.
9. Ponds
Plan a picture-perfect pond wedding to honor your love of nature and save money. Most ponds are stunning, thriving, self-sufficient ecosystems home to rare plant species and indigenous fauna. Enjoy an organic chorus of frogs, birds, and other local critters while holding your ceremony by the bank.
10. Rooftops
Are you trying to find a cheap wedding location in a big city? Do you reside near a restaurant with roof access or in a big building? To cut costs, consider having a modest rooftop wedding with your closest loved ones. Ask the building manager to confirm any safety and security restrictions first!
11. Greenhouses
Are you considering holding your wedding outside or indoors? Getting married in an indoor greenhouse allows you to combine the most significant aspects of both worlds. Indoor greenhouses make excellent locations for various low-cost wedding events because of their glass walls that showcase the surroundings and their tranquil, verdant interior.
12. Nature conservancies
Since many wildlife conservancies and conservation groups are nonprofits, they hold events to increase awareness of their cause and generate additional revenue. For engaged couples on a tight budget, most preserves or conservancies in your area provide affordable venue rental (as long as you don't make a mess), even though they might not have event personnel or on-site wedding services.
13. Your backyard
Organize a small, dreamy wedding in your backyard. Alternate the chairs and tables, or hang family pictures along the fence. Start your married life where you feel most comfortable using your available space and financial resources.
Inexpensive outdoor wedding decorations
With the natural location already at your disposal, you may add a few inexpensive components to create a romantic and picturesque wedding scenario, such as:
14. Hanging lanterns
Use fishing line, twine, or another cordage to hang the inexpensive lanterns you buy from your neighborhood craft or dollar store. Use the lanterns to illuminate wedding signage and guest paths, or insert LED tea lights or pillar candles inside and hang them from trees or place them on reception tables.
15. Trendy wedding signs
Simple supplies like hot glue, chalkboard paint, unused wood, and a little imagination may create eye-catching signage that complements your wedding's theme and distinctive décor. Use your DIY ornamental signage to greet and guide guests (for example, from parking to the ceremony or the reception) or draw attention to special locations such as the dance floor, service stations, restrooms, and bar.
Use bold lines and geometric shapes to create a striking end-of-the-aisle graphic contrasting your outdoor wedding backdrop. Geometric wedding arches are striking and dramatic without detracting from the surrounding scenery. A bridal arch made of metal, wood, or weaving will direct visitors' attention to the main attraction.
17. Antique photo display
An antique picture exhibit is a great way to honor your family's heritage and culture. List all the most critical individuals in your life and the ancestry that led you to this point. Instead, gather unconventional frames and fill them with artwork if you don't have a large family or are familiar with their past. To create a unique, sentimental, and imaginative statement wedding décor, fill each frame with construction paper, foiling, or fabric, then hang them in your design.
18. Crafty drink coolers
Rather than spending much money on outdoor refrigeration, make attractive drink coolers from repurposed everyday objects. Wheelbarrows and canoes may be repurposed into stylish outdoor ice chests with a little elbow grease, time, and the correct guide.
19. Open-air string lights
An inexpensive outdoor wedding is preferable to a canvas tent that covers the night sky. Make it look like a tent by using string lights that emit light. Not only can a string light top create a magnificent yet basic reception design, but it also facilitates the event's seamless transition from day to night.
Low-cost outdoor wedding ceremony ideas
To cut costs on the ceremony, take advantage of the surrounding natural beauty. Benefit from low-cost design concepts and adaptable setup choices, such as:
20. A lemonade welcome station
Making lemonade in large quantities is refreshing and straightforward for guests during hot weddings. When attendees arrive at your outdoor event, please set up a welcoming station to greet them with a cold beverage. Make a rustic wedding welcome station out of wooden barrels or pallets, or set up welcome drinks beneath an event tent so visitors can cool off before the ceremony begins.
21. Weather-related welcome gifts
Is it lucky to have rain on your wedding day? Even if it is, your guests might wish to keep dry for the rest of the day rather than getting wet during the ceremony. Ensure your décor ideas include weather protection if you're hosting an outside event. Depending on the season, offering blankets, ice water, hot cocoa, or bug repellent may be necessary to shield visitors from the weather. Provide everything your wedding guests will need to feel at home with a guest welcome station.
22. Budget-friendly seating
Use affordable ceremony seating to reduce event rental expenses. To avoid renting two seats for each guest, use lightweight event chairs, hay bales, or stumps that can easily move from the ceremony to the reception. Cover logs, benches, or bales with soft blankets or silky wraps to prevent clothing snags.
If your wedding is taking place in front of a stunning meadow or mountain range, don't waste money on extravagant flower arrangements or voluminous draperies that will block the view. Instead, leave the area in all its natural splendor and mark the conclusion of the ceremony space with a modest wedding arch.
24. Floral aisle markers
Large tropical flower aisle arrangements can transform your outdoor wedding into a destination event. Make big bouquets with reasonably priced flowers like roses or carnations for a classic, romantic aisle arrangement. Use the markers to create centerpieces or accents for your gift table at your reception to save money on your wedding flowers.
25. A Honey fund donation station
Consider creating a honeymoon registry, sometimes known as a Honey fund, where guests can donate to wedding and honeymoon expenses if you don't need dishes, towels, toasters, or other common wedding register goods. Rather than giving you presents, your loved ones can help pay for romantic dinners, exciting trips, airfare, and other expenses.
Affordable ideas for your outdoor wedding reception
Who said that entertainment and affordability couldn't coexist? Of course, it wasn't us! Throw a warm and unforgettable outdoor party with:
26. Shaded lounge areas
Whether you're hosting a charming bohemian-themed nuptial party or a rustic farmhouse-inspired outdoor wedding, it's crucial to give guests a safe haven from the sun. To protect your loved ones from the heat and UV rays, create a comfortable and unhurried outdoor lounge behind trees or inside an event tent. Spread blankets, bean bags, floor pillows, wicker furniture, and soft rugs around a low coffee or cocktail table.
27. Lawn games
Giant Jenga, Bocce Ball, Cornhole, and many other well-liked outdoor lawn games are great ways to keep visitors occupied for a small fee. The setup is simple, and lawn games are reasonably priced. If you choose games suitable for the guests' age, they are excellent for family-friendly outdoor weddings and adult-only gatherings. In the summer, stock up on water pistols or prepare for a snowball war between the bride and husband for winter weddings.
28. A popping' wedding playlist
A little dancing is a must at any wedding, but doing so doesn't have to cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Invest in an outside dance floor and create a fantastic wedding playlist rather than shelling out a large amount of your funds for a live band. A sturdy pair of Bluetooth speakers and a dependable internet connection are all you need to DJ your wedding from a smartphone.
29. Polaroid photo displays
Make a lovely, romantic photo display with a Polaroid camera, clothespins, and twine cords. Tie the yarn around a big tree trunk and use big paper clips or adorned clothespins to adorn the twine. Include string lights in your design and place a Polaroid station next to the screen. Invite visitors to the station so they can snap a candid picture and contribute it to the collection. You will have beautiful memories that will last a lifetime, trimmed into the trunk by the night's end.
30. An outdoor photo booth
In the absence of trees, set up a wedding photo booth! Utilize the wedding arch in a new way, stock up on accessories like boas, masks, hats, and jewelry, and encourage guests to post their joyous photos on social media with your special wedding hashtag.
31. A coffee mug gift wall
Every couple wants to give their guests a helpful and considerate present for their wedding. Thrifted coffee mugs make cost-effective, practical, original keepsakes to express gratitude. Gather the most unique and creative mugs you can find by visiting consignment and thrift stores in the months before your wedding. The cups can be displayed in an old pantry, ladders, or bookcase. Ask visitors to select the mug that best appeals to them, then fill it with hot chocolate or coffee before leaving.
32. Wedding wish trees
One of the most beloved nostalgic outdoor wedding decorations is the wish tree. These creative substitutes for conventional wedding guest books can be utilized to make a visually striking display for your outdoor wedding. Provide a table where guests can express their wishes for the newlyweds on notelets, cards, or paper. Attach the handwritten notes to a tabletop copy or a little oak tree to make them look like leaves. As more inscriptions are written, the wish tree transforms into a sincere and exquisite piece of art.
Food and drink ideas for an outdoor wedding on a budget.
Making the most of your wedding budget requires careful planning and resource allocation. Use these easy tips to reduce wedding day waste, meal bills, and alcohol expenditures.
33. Food covers
Regardless of the season, every outdoor wedding should be concerned about bugs. When creating fantastic wedding cuisine on a limited budget, the last thing you want is a flying annoyance to destroy your work and effort. Use inexpensive food coverings to shield the cake, food bars, and appetizers from flying insects and melting temperatures.
34. Self-service stations
Smaller satellite stations might replace an open bar or buffet line. Select delectable, prep-friendly dishes and cocktails you can make in large quantities, such as punch or sangria. Costly catering and bartender service fees are eliminated because visitors may swiftly serve themselves when they need a drink or a fresh plate. Ask wedding party members (or other guests you're close to) to take turns watching over key guest areas, restocking pitchers, swapping out empty trays, and other tasks if you have a willing crew.
35. Build-your-own (BYO) food bars
In keeping with self-service satellite stations, BYO food bars are an ideal solution for budget-conscious couples to provide their wedding guests with something they will all love. Assemble the components for a colorful and tasty taco, slider, potato, salad, or sundae bar. Thanks to the abundance of options available, every couple may find a BYO wedding meal concept that suits their event style and menu preferences.
36. Grazing tables
Food might easily rank among your most significant wedding expenses, particularly during the busiest wedding season when catering services are in great demand. Instead of having a formal sit-down meal, set up gourmet grazing tables to save money. Grazing tables are culinary displays piled high with meats, cheeses, sweets, dips, chips, and other delectable nibbles, much like a gigantic charcuterie board. Use inexpensive items such as crackers, in-season fruits, homegrown veggies, or pre-baked pastries (such as croissants, small cinnamon rolls, or cookies) to fill empty nibbling table areas and create a rich, luscious décor.
37. Sweet or savory skewers
These inexpensive wedding finger snacks are easy to make ahead of time and need little cooking time, making them ideal for any season. The correct spice combination may transform inexpensive bulk chicken breasts into deliciously economical delicacies, whether you're getting married in a winter wonderland or throwing a summer wedding with a tropical theme.
38. Seasonal sangria
A number of our wedding cocktail lists feature sangria. Why? Due to the cost-effectiveness and adaptability of the delicious beverage! You can choose the ideal recipe to match the season and style of your outdoor wedding with the abundance of white and red wine recipes available. Make large quantities of sangria ahead of time and add reasonably priced in-season fruits, herbs, and spices to save a ton of money on alcohol costs.
39. Potluck wedding
For many of us, times are difficult. Consider having a potluck wedding if you're on a tight budget and have trouble providing food for everyone you want to invite to your wedding and join in the celebration. In your invitations, include a sincere letter requesting attendees to bring a dish to share rather than a gift, stating that you intend to make and share wonderful memories with as many friends and family as possible.