Outdoor Wedding Ideas on a Budget

If you’ve been dreaming about an outdoor wedding but are concerned about the cost, you’re not alone. The weather, food, and amenities can quickly give you sticker shock. But breathe easy. Plenty of couples before you have had affordable outdoor weddings on a budget, and we’ve collected their best advice below.

From close-to-free wedding venues to self-serve food and drink, and from cutting out the cocktails to tapping friends and family as vendors, a budget outdoor wedding can be fun, unique, and memorable.

Why have an outdoor wedding?

Have you chosen a wedding date that aligns with sunny weather and mild temps? Getting married in the great outdoors is a refreshing way to embrace nature’s beauty, give your guests a welcome change of scenery, and potentially save money. You’ll also have more space and add to the romance.

While there are definite pros and cons to having an outdoor wedding, if you and your partner have your heart set on it, don’t let budget worries hold you back. You can absolutely have a beautiful, fun, perfect wedding in the great outdoors without overspending. Here are some affordable outdoor wedding ideas.

15 Affordable outdoor wedding ideas

1. Use an outdoor space that belongs to friends or family

For your something borrowed, borrow an outdoor space from a close friend or family member to save big on venue costs and fees. Of course, it is a bit of a huge ask, but if you happen to know someone with a gorgeous backyard or ample green space, it doesn’t hurt to ask if they can help you host.

This outdoor wedding idea on a budget adds a special sentimental element to your special day. Instead of having it at a standard, for-profit venue, you’ll be making your wedding memories in a place that’s near and dear to your heart.

2. Ask friends and family to act as vendors

We all have talented friends and family members. Does Dad have a flair for flower arranging? Is your bestie a secret shutterbug? Ask them if they’d like to lend their talents to your budget outdoor wedding. They may be honored to show off their gifts. One warning: read their reaction when you ask—not just their words. If they look uncomfortable or are slow to answer, it’s a sign you should move on quickly and ask someone else or hire a pro.

Officiants can be expensive, so you can always ask a friend or member of the bridal party to do the honors. Not only will they do it for free (at least, they better!) but it puts them on center stage and adds a personal and special element to your day. Just be sure they have the right credentials for your state. And don’t forget to properly thank them with a gift to show your appreciation.

3. Set up self-serve food and drink

There are no rules when it comes to food and drink at an outdoor wedding. One way to save big is to have a buffet style meal instead of plated catering. You can make it entirely self-serve with one or two people hired to help keep things full and moving. Either way, self-serve is an easy, affordable outdoor wedding idea on a budget.

4. Keep the guest list tight

Narrowing down your guest list is an easy way to save money on any wedding, especially a backyard one. You might find yourself tempted to invite a lot of people because your outdoor venue might be huge. But keep in mind that every person you invite adds cost for drinks, chairs, food, and logistics like porta potties and parking space. Keep things small, and you’ll naturally shrink the cost.

5. Use minimal decor

For affordable wedding decor, take inventory of what’s around you. The beauty of nature is that it doubles as its own natural decor. Lush green trees, naturally growing flowers, water features, shade, and sunlight are all completely free elements you can use to your advantage and incorporate into your wedding day decor. Not only will they save you money, they’ll look beautiful and delight your guests.

6. Choose a budget-friendly tent

Rain is always a worry, and tent rental is one of the biggest costs of an outdoor wedding. Check to see if friends or family have canopies or tents, or connections to someone who does. Consider an open tent as a less expensive option if your venue is in a place protected by the wind.

7. Use a public space

Be sure to check with your town government, but many local public parks and public spaces are free to use for quick, small ceremonies. If your wedding will be larger, these spaces might be available for a much smaller fee than a traditional wedding venue. Just remember that you might end up paying for it in the time you’ll spend on the permit process.

Using a public space might take a bit of research and legwork, but it’s worth it in the end to potentially save thousands. You’ll also be able to get married somewhere outdoors and special to you both with this outdoor wedding idea on a budget.

8. Opt for BBQ or grill-style food

The amount of food you serve (and how you serve it) is definitely a large part of your budget. However, you can save significantly by choosing foods that are easy and quick to cook and recipes that use minimal and inexpensive ingredients. Grilled meats and veggies, barbequed burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and even pasta are cheaper than more intricate dishes. With your priority set on flavor over fancy, your budget will go further.

9. Use digital invitations

Another money-saving tip that applies to all weddings (not just at-home and backyard weddings) is choosing digital invitations and RSVPs instead of traditional paper ones. You can save hundreds on wedding invitation design, printing, and postage by setting up an electronic invite that lets guests RSVP on the spot. It also helps to keep things super organized and in real time, too.

10. Choose seasonal blooms or grow your own

If you plan to have florals at your wedding, one of the quickest ways to blow your budget is by selecting flowers that aren’t in season. Instead, do your research and find out which seasonal blooms are readily accessible. In short, don’t plan for mums in the early spring or red roses in the summer.

To save even more, depending on the size of your floral visions, you can even try growing your own at home. It might initially sound intimidating, but if you have a green thumb, farming them yourself is a fantastic outdoor wedding idea on a budget.

11. Hold your ceremony and reception in the same space

If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, colocating your ceremony and reception can save thousands. You won’t need transportation between venues, you’ll be able to transition from your vows to the party seamlessly, and guests will appreciate the ease of the more simple plan.

12. Opt for mismatched vibes and decor

One awesome thing about nature is that its imperfections are perfect, too. Instead of a matchy-matchy indoor venue, you can embrace the unpredictability of the scenery and opt for mismatched vibes while still achieving a cohesive look. You can use mixed chairs, table linens, candles, and florals. Because you’ll be outdoors, you won’t be bound by indoor style restrictions.

13. Let guests seat themselves

You can save money (and stress) by letting your guests seat themselves for a more casual experience. You won’t have to buy or make escort cards or table signage, and chances are, your guests will appreciate having the freedom to sit where they want. Plus, making a seating chart can take hours of wedding planning, so this outdoor wedding idea on a budget will also zap your stress.

14. Serve beer and wine only

It’s no surprise that alcohol, particularly top-shelf spirits, comes with a hefty price tag. When you add the costs of bartenders and servers to make and serve the drinks, the price point can go sky-high. Instead, choose a serve-yourself bar with a great range of chilled canned or bottled beers and wines. Offer enough variety, and guests will hardly notice cocktails aren’t an option. (Just don’t forget to supply ample bottle openers and plenty of clean glasses!)

15. Lean into natural light

You won’t need fancy lighting setups to decorate your wedding venue when you choose to have an outdoor wedding. If it’s sunny, you’ll have a beautiful wedding day. If it’s not, the clouds will act as natural light filters that photographers adore.

When the sun sets, all you really need are some garden lights and tiki torches to help guests navigate safely. For extra romantic ambiance, rely heavily on candles. They not only add light but also set the mood.

No matter when and where you have your big day, Zola is here to help. From planning a destination wedding to planning a cozy winter event, our ideas will help you proceed with confidence so you can have the day of your dreams.