9 Outdoor Wedding Ideas on a Budget

• 1. Creative Lighting
• 2. Go Big on the Entrance
• 3. Embrace Your Surroundings
• 4. Thrift Don't Rent
• 5. Professional Photography is a Must
• 6. Be Creative with Wedding Entertainment
• 7. Utilize Free Wedding Planning Tools
• 8. Put Together a Unique Wedding Arch
• 9. Keep the Numbers Down

Backyard Wedding Ideas on a Budget

These fresh wedding day decoration ideas will transform any outdoor space, without breaking the bank.

1. Creative Lighting

Whether you're tying the knot in someone's backyard, or getting married in the park, it's likely the space will need to be illuminated at night. And even if there is already lighting set up, is it romantic or glamorous enough for your big day? Probably not. Which means it's up to you to set the ambiance with some thoughtfully placed lighting. Whether that involves weaving a bed of string lights overhead, or maybe putting together larger, lantern light structures to create focal points. However you do it, do not underestimate the power of lighting to create a mood. It's such an easy, low-budget wedding idea that seldom fails to wow guests, and look amazing in wedding photos.

Get your budget breakdown

2. Go Big on the Entrance

When entering a traditional bricks and mortar wedding venue, the building itself is often quite impressive and really helps to set the scene for the day. But when hosting an intimate backyard wedding, your guest's first impression will be quite different. We're always told not to read a book by its cover, but it's unfortunately human nature to judge things before we've experienced them. So, you need to blow your loved ones away from the moment they step out of the car.

If your backyard wedding allows, maybe decorate the front yard as well as the back, so your guests get an immediate sense of what your day will be about. Think too about their walk to the backyard wedding space, this should feel like an elevated experience. Perhaps you could create some kind of red card carpet moment, but in a style that coordinates with your wedding reception. Covered walkways too are great for taking guests out of their reality and straight into your little wedding wonderland.

3. Embrace Your Surroundings

Whether your backyard wedding venue has killer views, or the park you've hired is surrounded by soaring trees — it's important to use the space cleverly. Plan the highlights of the day around the most picturesque parts of the space, and use your natural surroundings as budget wedding decoration, rather than bringing things in from outside. Drape tree branches, bring drama to stone walls and up-light tasteful garden ornaments.

4. Thrift Don't Rent

If you're going for that DIY wedding vibe, then why not truly embrace the theme and thrift what you can't make, rather than rent it. With a little bit of research, and patience, everything from the table and chairs, right through to tableware and outdoor wedding decor can be picked up for next to nothing if thrifted.

Our rustic wedding advice is to strike a balance between thrifted items, and more refined rental pieces. Rather than solely doing one or the other. As a backyard wedding theme solely decorated with thrifted items can sometimes feel a little like a garage sale, unless done with an experienced eye. Therefore, it's much easier to rent the basics and thrift the rest, just to complete the look.

5. Professional Photography is a Must

Unless you're lucky enough to be friends with a wedding photographer who's happy to shoot your big day, you should always hire a professional. Just because you're planning a wedding on a budget, that doesn't mean the photos from the day should be any less special.

If you are working on a budget, resist the temptation to do photography on the cheap, or crowdsource photos from friends. You'll never get the shots you deserve, and the memories you created that night will be lost forever. Find a way to make it work, either by dropping something from your checklist or doing things differently.

6. Be Creative with Wedding Entertainment

We can't all have the Arctic Monkeys on speed dial, or know someone in the entertainment industry who can hook us up with some free music for the night. Plus, if you're hosting a casual backyard wedding in suburbia, chances are your neighbors will not be too pleased to hear the sound of electric guitars, and cheering guests while they're trying to get to sleep. Therefore, you need to find other ways to entertain your loved ones.

During the day, games are great and can be relatively cost-effective. You could keep it simple and buy something like giant Jenga, or lawn croquet, which always go down well with guests of all ages. But if you really want to bring people together, and save money, why not come up with a quiz, or scavenger hunt! Make your backyard wedding a 'whodunnit', and have your guests hunt down the killer - in a fun way! These kinds of games really help to galvanize a group and cost next to nothing to put together.

7. Utilize Free Wedding Planning Tools

No matter what style of wedding you're planning, we have a range of tools that'll help turn you into a professional wedding planner overnight! And they are all available absolutely free! Which is a lifesaver when you're trying to plan the wedding of your dreams on a budget. From a seating chart builder and tools to help put together a guest list, to a budget calculator and wedding website maker. We have everything you could need to make your wedding planning journey a breeze.

8. Put Together a Unique Wedding Arch

The focal point of almost any wedding ceremony is the arch, and that is certainly the case when curating an outdoor wedding on a budget. The best wedding arch should act not just as a centerpiece for your vows, but the rest of the celebration. Becoming a focal point within a summer wedding theme, or as a fun backdrop for your guests to grab selfies against.

9. Keep the Numbers Down

The golden rule of working with a small wedding budget, is to keep the number of guests to a minimum. This works perfectly for a small intimate backyard wedding, as you want things to feel cozy. Being surrounded solely by your favorite people in the world is the best, and creates just the vibe this kind of wedding is all about.

Budget-Friendly Outdoor Wedding Inspiration

Planning your dream outdoor wedding doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. Explore a treasure trove of outdoor wedding ideas on a budget to turn your vision into a reality. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature without breaking the bank. From charming DIY decor to budget-friendly venue choices, this guide is your companion for creating a magical and affordable celebration of love. Discover practical tips, creative solutions, and inspiring suggestions that will not only elevate your outdoor wedding but also keep your budget in check. Embrace the romance of the outdoors without compromising on style — because your love story deserves a backdrop as timeless as your commitment.