Want to know how to plan an outdoor wedding on a budget?
You’re not alone! Plenty of couples want to know how to plan an outdoor wedding on a small budget. And couples want to stick to their budget while still having a beautiful outdoor wedding. In this post we will share some tips and tricks on how to do just that.
When planning your wedding, it is important to keep in mind that not all weddings are created equal. There are a number of ways to have an outdoor wedding on a small budget without sacrificing anything.
Here are some tips and tricks to get you started:
Planning
Start by considering the style of your wedding. Do you want a traditional outdoor ceremony followed by an indoor reception, or do you want a more modern style with both elements happening at the same time? The choice you make will impact your overall budget and what type of venue you need to book.
Consider your location
Are there any nearby parks or gardens that would be perfect for an outdoor ceremony? Are there any courtyards or other areas within walking distance that could work for an indoor reception? Once you have determined the style and location of your wedding, you can begin to search for venues. Consider using ceremony sites that are free or low-cost. You may be able to find a site for your ceremony that is either free or has a lower cost than some of the more traditional wedding venues. Outdoor wedding venues can be found in many different areas, including nature preserves, parks, and golf courses. Other outdoor venues might include lakes, beaches, and farms. One of the most obvious, but often overlooked location is your backyard or the yard of a friend! We hosted a wedding at our house that was fabulous. And best of all, weddings in your yard don’t cost you anything to book the venue! Also consider using rehearsal dinner locations as your ceremony site . This can be a great way to save money on both your wedding day and your rehearsal dinner venue. You can also use this opportunity to test out different locations before you choose the one that is perfect for your big day.
Catering
You may also be able to find deals on catering and other services, so don’t be afraid to ask around or check online reviews first. Perhaps a pot luck affair would be just perfect and not cost you anything. Others have suggested hiring a food truck or two since this is an outdoor afair.
Decorations
Consider outside decorations. If you want an outdoor wedding but don’t have any money to spend on decor, consider using natural elements like flowers or foliage instead. You can also try using simple table settings and flower crowns made out of straws or branches instead of traditional flowers. Have a decorations party with your best friends and make table toppers and centerpieces. It’s fun and will save you a great deal of money. Also, consider using recycled or repurposed materials for your wedding decorations and décor. You can find inexpensive items made from recycled materials at local thrift stores or yard sales.
Wedding Coordinator
Consider hiring a Wedding Coordinator . A Wedding Coordinator can help you plan everything from the ceremony to the reception, and can also help you save money on costs like flowers and catering. A coordinator is not always cheap though. Depending on your total budget, you might want to handle the planning yourself with the aid of a good Wedding Planner Guide that can assist you from start to finish.
Photographer
If you want to save money on a photographer, consider working with the local college photograpghy class and see if you can get one of the students to be your photographer or videographer. They are studying how to be the best, and can come at a reasonable price. Another fun idea that I saw used at a wedding reception, was to purchase a bunch of disposable cameras and place them around the venue with instructions for your guests to snap pictures throughout the event. Sure, some of the pictures will not be worth keeping, but there are bound to be some gems in there that even a seasoned pro would miss because they can’t be everywhere at all times. You can augment a hired photographer with disposable cameras as well.
Wedding Day
Consider using alternate wedding days . If you have a tight budget, consider choosing an alternate wedding date that has less competition from other couples looking for an event venue. Also, mid-week weddings are more affordable than a weekend one so that could save you some money. Venues are generally less mid-week as are catterers since there is less competition for those days.
Officiant
There is a good chance that you already know someone that can officiate for you for free or at a very low cost. It seems to be a trend for people to get their licence to marry so ask around, you might just be surprised to find someone you know can be your officiant.
Dress
Choose an affordable dress. Weddings can be expensive, but there are many ways to cut costs without sacrificing style or quality. Try finding a dress online or at a secondhand store, or look for a less expensive designer brand.
Conclusion
Planning an outdoor wedding can be done on a small budget by following these simple tips and tricks. Just make sure to plan ahead and have everything ready before the big day! And most of all, have a great time!