39 Outdoor Wedding Ideas

By: Kristina Kittelson, Editor, AllFreeDIYWeddings

If you've decided to take the plunge and host an outdoor wedding, you're in for a real blast. Although you're bound to face quite a few restrictions by holding an outdoor wedding, you'll also find yourself with a lot more freedom than the more classic indoor wedding. Whether you're just planning for an outdoor reception or you're doing everything out with good old Mother Nature, we've got a ton of outdoor wedding ideas for you to consider while you're building your own happily ever after.

One of the biggest benefits of holding an outdoor wedding is that you get a lot more space for the price. Often it costs much less to book an outdoor venue than indoor, if nothing at all (many people opt to hold the reception in their own or a family member's backyard)! There are a few things you have to consider about your outdoor wedding before you start the planning. Where will it be held? What is the theme? Will the ceremony be indoors or outdoors? Once you have these questions answered, you can use this list to start putting together your outdoor wedding.

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39 Outdoor Wedding Ideas

Lighting for an Outside Wedding

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Ideas

Wedding Decor for the Reception

Outdoor Wedding Hairstyles, Attire, and Bouquets

Lighting for an Outside Wedding

While choosing the lighting for an outdoor wedding, you have to take a few things into account. Firstly, at what time will your wedding be taking place? Lights indoors can stay on all day, but you can't control what time the sun goes down. Secondly, will there be trees, poles, or other structures to drape hanging lights over? Finally, what is the wind like in your area, and will you have to worry about a pesky breeze blowing away your paper lanterns or snuffing your candles? It might seem like too much to consider, but there is nothing more lovely and romantic than outdoor wedding lighting.

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Ideas

If you've chosen to hold your wedding ceremony outdoors, you're really going for unforgettable. Outdoor weddings in which the bride and groom say their vows outside make for the most gorgeous wedding photography, adding a bohemian or rustic hint to any wedding. One might wonder how they get a wedding altar together in an outdoor setting, and what else they can do to make their wedding ceremony unique. There are a few wedding ideas here that you can utilize for an outdoor wedding, such as messy sendoffs and floral altars, and other little details you can't use indoors.

If you're still in the planning process, download our free eBook, The Ultimate Wedding Guide: Wedding Planning Timeline, Wedding Etiquette and Advice, Maid of Honor Duties, and More to help you during this exciting journey!

Wedding Decor for the Reception

The reception is the part of the wedding that most people choose to hold outdoors. Some allow for the warm outdoor breeze and floral smells of spring to waft in through an open tent setting, but others opt to hold the whole thing out under the stars. Your outdoor wedding has the potential to be a truly breathtaking experience for everyone involved, and these outdoor wedding ideas will help you choose how to decorate the space. We have ideas for nautical, rustic, and even classic weddings that are just perfect for an outdoor setting.

Outdoor Wedding Hairstyles, Attire, and Bouquets

We bet you didn't consider that the bridal details, such as hair, attire, and bouquets, are actually affected by the outdoor wedding setting. It's important to consider the space of your wedding when deciding how to get all dolled up. You're going to want to choose a hairstyle that keeps long hair off of the neck so you don't overheat, and bouquets that reflect the venue so they don't clash with the natural space. We've even got a few floral accessories to help really bring out the naturalistic feel of your outdoor wedding.