It’s common for people to assume that planning a garden wedding must feel like a walk in the park (sometimes, quite literally): convenient, uncomplicated, relaxed, and pretty much everything that organizing a conventional wedding is not. You’re getting married in a place that’s familiar, intimate, comfortable, and safe, surrounded by the people that love you most, without all the hustle and bustle – and the expense – that comes with finding, renting, and decorating a venue for the big day. So, what can possibly stress you out?
Well, as it turns out, quite a lot. Beneath this seeming simplicity and serenity lie all sorts of challenges that might only become apparent when one is faced with them. The reality is that outdoor weddings, charming as they are, can also be quite stressful in their own way. Sure, you get to save money and worry less about decorations since the natural setting already takes care of that. You also enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere in a place that feels your own. But things can get more complicated in terms of logistics, not to mention you’ll have to take into account factors like weather and permits, which you could easily avoid by choosing a different venue. It’s a bit of a trade-off, if you come to think about it, as are most things in life.
So, if you’re hoping for a breezy planning process, you shouldn’t expect that from an outdoor wedding. This is not meant to discourage you in any way or make you change your mind about hosting your wedding in your garden. Quite the contrary, think of it as a heads up of what you should expect in terms of planning. Once you understand the challenges, you can start preparing accordingly – and ensure everything runs smoothly, so let’s see what you should focus on.
Prep the space – getting your garden wedding-ready
No matter how lovely your garden looks or how spacious it may be, you can’t just host a wedding in it as it is. You’ll need to make sure that the space you have at your disposal is functional and ready to respond to the requirements of the celebration you have in mind, which often implies making some tweaks and taking care of several aspects.
Depending on your specific situation, you might have to do some landscaping to turn your garden into a wedding venue that’s able to accommodate your guests and meet all their needs. Mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, cleaning the walkways, removing weeds, and clearing debris may be involved in the process.
Then you need to turn your attention to logistics and think of all the things you need to bring into your garden to set up the venue and ensure the event runs without a hitch. This includes aspects like:
- designating spaces for the ceremony and reception
- planning seating arrangements
- installing a sound system
- providing adequate lighting
- hiring caterers
- providing essential amenities like portable restrooms and parking spaces
- obtaining the necessary permits from local authorities
- ensuring accessibility and ease of movement around the venue
You should also consider renting a tent or a marquee to have as a plan B in case of bad weather. It’s all about providing convenience and comfort and making the party enjoyable for everyone. Since you’ll have to juggle so many things at once, you might want to work with a professional wedding planner to manage and coordinate all the vendors.
Outfit check – choosing the right attire for the occasion
Garden weddings are not as formal as traditional indoor weddings, so you don’t want to be overdressed, but you also don’t want to look like you’re going for a picnic in the park. There’s no specific dress code for these types of occasions, so keeping things in balance can be quite tricky.
In general, simplicity is the best policy in this case. Guests should avoid overly adorned outfits that might look out of place in a natural setting, and instead opt for breezy dresses with elegant cuts and minimal embellishments. Members of the bridal party can wear more sophisticated gowns, while still keeping in line with the overall tone and ambiance of the event. For brides, classic A-line dresses that look effortlessly chic, refined slip dresses that exude subtle elegance, or flowy gowns made of lightweight fabrics and adorned with delicate lace insertions seem to be the best options.
Bridesmaids can wear strapless and sleeveless dresses or playful tea-length gowns in floral prints, while for the mother of the bride and groom, maxi dresses in soft pastels might be a suitable choice. When deciding on the ideal outfit for an outdoor wedding, you should also consider the season. Summer calls for airy fabrics that feel comfortable and can keep one cool. For colder weather, wraps and shawls are excellent choices, as they can be paired with a wide variety of dress styles, offering both warmth and a touch of elegance.
Décor dreams – the details that make the difference
As we’ve mentioned earlier, decorating a garden wedding venue is the least stressful of all the tasks (and also the most enjoyable one) since nature itself provides most of the décor. So, basically, your job is simply to enhance the beauty of the scenery.
Think of simple additions like using seasonal flowers to create delicate flower arrangements, wooden signage guiding guests toward different areas of the venue, soft linens draping the tables and the chairs, flower arches framing pathways, or strands of fairy lights that create an ethereal atmosphere.
If you want to personalize the venue and make the celebration feel all the more special and unique, you can also choose a specific theme that resonates with your vision, such as a rustic barn wedding or boho.
Final thoughts
Garden weddings are a perfect example of how the simplest-looking things can turn out to be the most complicated. It actually takes a lot of work and effort to pull off something that appears so deceivingly effortless. But if you plan things carefully and prepare thoroughly, hosting your wedding in your garden will surely turn into a wonderful and memorable experience.