If you\u2019re getting ready to tie the knot and want to exchange your vows in the great outdoors under the sun (or moon), read on. These top 27 outdoor wedding ideas can help you get hitched on a budget \u2014 and in style!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
27 outdoor wedding ideas on a budget:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to know more? Read on! \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like feeling organized? You’ll love Quicken LifeHub. Want to have a gorgeous wedding? Make your DIY outdoor wedding dreams come true with these budget-friendly ideas for wedding venues, decor, bouquets, centerpieces, and more for your big day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n State and national parks can provide an unbelievably scenic backdrop for your ceremony and wedding reception. Take a look to see what\u2019s nearby<\/a> (or determine how far you\u2019d like to travel) and inquire with the park about events \u2014 you\u2019ll need to get a special permit. While it won\u2019t be free, it will be much cheaper than a private venue, and it\u2019s a surefire way to a beautiful wedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you or a friend have a spacious backyard, consider hosting your wedding in that space. Few things feel as homey as, well, home! This could be a great opportunity to have an intimate ceremony and form wonderful memories. There are tons of backyard wedding ideas \u2014 find what suits you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The golf course and country club vibe can feel inauthentic to people who aren\u2019t golfers or members. Not to mention they\u2019re very <\/em>expensive \u2014 especially if you have a big guest list. By skipping these traditional, legacy venues, you can save a ton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Have time to spare and a keen eye? You might want to buy flowers wholesale and make the arrangements yourself (along with the help of some friends). When you buy in bulk, you can go straight to the source \u2014 missing the florist markup. You can also collect wildflowers if they\u2019re in season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A DIY ethos is more than just gratifying \u2014 it can save you a ton. Once you have your venue settled, start thinking about design and see what you can do yourself. Mason jars, string lights \u2014 you name it. You can tailor your wedding theme to your personality, build it yourself, and skip the fees associated with wedding planners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan your wedding budget with Quicken Simplifi. Let\u2019s be real \u2014 how many Save the Date postcards have you misplaced over the years? Consider keeping things digital and sending out invites via email (or text). This will cut down on print shop costs, postage fees, and, ultimately, minimize the amount of paper in the landfill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Saying \u201cI do\u201d in the off-season can be the key to a budget-friendly wedding. While it isn\u2019t exactly practical (or safe) to have an outdoor wedding during January in a northern locale, like Montana or Vermont, the South enjoys milder winters and early springs that can be perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n When looking for candles, greenery, draping, and any other outdoor wedding decor, consider sourcing your materials from independent local retailers, or online vendors from sites like Etsy<\/a>. Say goodbye to big-box retailers \u2014 and their markups!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have any culinary background, you might consider leveraging those skills to cook the food yourself. Be realistic \u2014 it\u2019s going to be tough to feed a 200-person wedding, but if your gathering is smaller, you can definitely handle it. Think about dishes that can be held in crock pots or slow cookers, and don\u2019t forget a vegetarian option!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Paying a DJ (or a 12-piece band!) can be expensive. If you have a music-streaming app like Spotify<\/a>, Tidal<\/a>, or Apple Music<\/a>, you can keep it low-budget by curating your own reception playlist. PA systems can be rented for fairly cheap, or you can use a Bluetooth speaker<\/a> from around the house \u2014 especially if it\u2019s a small gathering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The key to an outdoor, budget-friendly wedding day? Keep it simple! It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are few pieces of decor more iconic to a wedding than an arch. If you\u2019re crafty and have tools at home, you and your partner might consider building your very own wedding arch together. Take a look on Pinterest for inspiration (or snap photos at other weddings you might attend), and implement your own themes and wedding colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can get through the wedding planning without having to rent anything, well done. But for most people, it\u2019s just not realistic. To stay cost-efficient and have your wedding on a budget, rent only the necessities. Make a checklist for things you can\u2019t provide \u2013 these might be tables, linens, a dance floor, tents, and attire. Find the best prices and do your research!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re having an outdoor wedding, don\u2019t forget the lawn games! No matter the age of the attendants, having fun lawn games can keep the mood light \u2014 and also result in hilarity if your guests imbibe. Cornhole, Jenga, Kan-Jam, and even this giant guestbook word-search<\/a> can provide tons of fun for your guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n We love wedding photos, but photo booths are unwieldy, require power, and cost you upwards of $150\/hour. Instead, think about purchasing (or borrowing) a few Polaroid or Fuji film cameras. These nostalgic pictures can provide your guests with wonderful keepsakes from your backyard wedding, and you can even put together a photo board with all your guests\u2019 pictures!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Big weddings cost money \u2014 there\u2019s no way around it. To save more money, think about downsizing wherever you can. This can include your wedding party, guest list, menu, wedding cake, and so on. By keeping it small, you put yourself in a position to do more with your money, giving you the best bang for your buck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a friend who\u2019s a photographer? Think about hiring them for your wedding photos. Not only is it usually a pleasant experience to work with friends, but they might even contribute their work to you as a wedding gift!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Did you know hiring an officiant can cost $200 to $450 on average<\/a>? Remember, this might not include an extra fee for rehearsal attendance! If you have a trusted friend with good oratory skills, think about turning to them to officiate your wedding. Ordination may or may not be necessary depending on your location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n We automatically associate Champagne with toasts and weddings, but authentic French bubbly is crazy<\/em> expensive \u2013 especially if you\u2019re opting for Veuve Clicquot or Dom Perignon. Instead, opt for Cava, Champagne\u2019s funky Spanish cousin. You can save by serving Prosecco, as well. Unless you have any sommeliers in attendance, your guests may not know the difference!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This seems like a no-brainer, but limousine rentals are pretty darn expensive. If you\u2019re in a park (or your own backyard), a limo is probably unnecessary \u2014 and difficult terrain to navigate! Having your ceremony and wedding reception in one place keeps it simple and easy, saving you on rental costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re planning a rustic wedding, you\u2019ll definitely want to set up fire pits around your venue. Cozy bonfires can provide a great ambiance, and s\u2019mores stations will be an absolute hit for kids and adults alike! Also, consider scheduling your wedding toward a full moon in order to maximize on natural light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n As the old adage says, \u201csomething old, something new; something borrowed, something blue\u201d \u2014 let\u2019s focus on borrowed! Borrow whatever you can to cut down on expenses, which can be especially meaningful if family or friends can offer up sentimental pieces of decor or attire and accessories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes time to put the venue together, save some money by designing and decorating it yourself. Wedding centerpieces can be made ahead of time, but table assembly, place card layout, wedding favor bags, and wedding flower placement can all be done with the help of a few friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nobody wants to think of rain on their special day, but it\u2019s always good to have a Plan B for those fall wedding cold snaps or summer wedding storms. Avoid cocktail hour in a downpour by having an alternate, indoor location on standby \u2014 you\u2019ll need to monitor the weather and make the call leading up the day of your wedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to save on place cards, thank you notes, and invitations? Write them by hand! If you don\u2019t happen to have any friends or family with calligraphy skills, that\u2019s okay. A rustic, handwritten note always has its charm. Consider heading to a craft store like Michaels, buying cardstock and a few broad-edge calligraphy pens<\/a>, and seeing how it turns out \u2014 you may surprise yourself! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to the top<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n It might seem like a no-brainer, but the best way to stick to your wedding budget is by planning it out ahead of time and tracking it as you go. The more you save, the more you can pool into that honeymoon fund!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can opt for the old-school spreadsheet and calculator method, or use an app like Quicken Simplifi \u2014 it can track your expenses, categorize them automatically, create savings goals, track your investments, and so much more<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\nLearn more \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nInspiring outdoor wedding ideas on a budget<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. State & national park venues<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Look to your own backyard<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Skip the golf course<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Buy wholesale flowers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Embrace DIY<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nLearn more \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n6. Keep your wedding invitations digital<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Consider the slow season<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Avoid chain-store markups (here\u2019s how)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Make the food yourself<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Save on entertainment with music apps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
11. Keep it simple<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
12. Set up self-serve food and drink<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
13. Build your own wedding arch<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
14. Find the right rentals<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
15. Have fun lawn games<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
16. Invest in Polaroids, not photobooths<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
17. Keep it small<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
18. Have a friend take wedding photos<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
19. Look to a pal to officiate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
20. Cava or Prosecco instead of Champagne<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
21. Skip the limo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
22. Think bonfires and moonlight<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
23. Something borrowed, something blue<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
24. Design and decorate yourself<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
25. Have a Plan B in case of inclement weather<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
26. Handwrite everything<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
27. Track your wedding budget<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n