Are you having an outdoor wedding this year? Beautify your ceremony with these 12 outdoor wedding ideas that will blow your guests away.

Are you a newlywed-to-be?

Are you excited for your big day, but anxious to discover the amount of planning that comes along with it?

Turns out there is no fairy godmother that waves her wand to create a flawless event.

Planning your outdoor wedding can be even harder: weather is a factor; location becomes even more important (must be comfortable, must have shade, and the like). But it’s so worth it. A beautiful, natural landscape for your wedding provides an organic beginning for you and your spouse’s journey.

This year alone, 2.3 million couples will say “I do.” This means that there are numerous resources out there for you to draw inspiration from.

We’ve done the work for you and compiled a list of the twelve best outdoor wedding ideas for you to consider. That way, you can research less and implement more. Let’s get planning!

12 Outdoor Wedding Ideas to Borrow Now

Before you begin reading this list, we recommend having a central theme in mind. Whether it be beach-y (did you know there’s wedding sand for sale for that!?), floral, historical, fun, movie-related, or otherwise, pick it and run with it.

We’re sure you already have one chosen, but if you don’t, narrow it down. That will make everything else in the planning process easier, because you’ll have a central focus to draw from.

Got one? Great.

Now, with that theme in mind, apply it to any or all of these following twelve suggestions.

Don’t spend your time trying to come up with a ton of creative ideas – borrow from the tried-and-true of others! There’s plenty of opportunity for that in other ways throughout your planning adventure.

Take some of the load off, and check out these great concepts that make for an awesome outdoor wedding.

1. Throw Some Shade

The good kind.

By this, we mean think about having some quality, shaded lounge areas for you and your guests.

A little bit of shade can be vital for a variety of reasons: unexpected rain, intense sunshine, or just as a salvation from the wind or other factors. Especially if you’ve got Grandma there – she’ll love the relaxation.

You can get creative with your shade and have your wedding in a park with lots of large trees that offer plenty of blockage from the sun. Or you can have your wedding in an open field and rent beautiful, circus-style tents for everyone to dine and dance under.

A cool spot to sit down and take in the crowds, refresh for another round on the dance floor, or have a nice chat with friends and family, is like having a comfortable, central living room at your outdoor wedding.

2. Refreshments

Of all the outdoor wedding ideas we’ve got, this one is pretty obvious. Your guests, and you, are going to get thirsty. Don’t be lazy and leave out boring old cans of soda – energize everyone with a themed, fitting style of refreshments.

For hot, summer days, there’s sparkling sakes and wines. For cool, winter evenings, consider hot apple cider. Take your water game to the next level by infusing it: hibiscus, strawberry, and cucumber are always refreshing.

Keep a stand of drinks close to the reception area and the ceremony. Since you’ll be outdoors, you’ll want liquids close-by to keep you hydrated.

3. Flowers and Succulents

To fit the nature motif, multiple flower arrangements are the glue that hold your outdoor wedding together.

Get married under an archway of fresh, colorful flowers. Bushes of jasmine or bouquets of plants offer beautiful sights as well as good smells. Line your aisle with chairs, and place a bouquet on each end one for a visually-appealing entrance to the show.

Plant the seeds of love at your wedding.

4. Banners, Balloons, and More

Use banners and lettered balloons to spell out funny phrases pertaining to your wedding. Come up with a hashtag, and turn that hashtag into a cute banner that people can take photos under.

Or take balloons and string them from tree to tree, making an entranceway to the aisle or reception area. You can be simple here, or clever, with silly phrases like “Same Man Forever” and the like.

5. Eclectic Furniture (For Rent!)

The best part about your awesome, future wedding furniture? It can be rented, and therefore costs way less than buying! This is one of our favorite outdoor wedding ideas; renting equals more money for other fun stuff!

Don’t waste your money purchasing every last patio chair. Rent eclectic, lightweight patio furniture, maybe some funky couches for your lounge area, and don’t spend more than you should.

Take home memories, not bills.

6. Umbrellas, Because You Never Know

Some of the cuter outdoor wedding ideas include the likes of umbrellas and parasols. These can be used decoratively until they’re needed (in the case that it rains).

Pick a color and have every bridesmaid hold one. Or leave an umbrella stand full of parasols that your guests can use if they’re heat-sensitive. You can’t go wrong with this utilitarian fashion statement.

7. Sparklers Aren’t Just for the Fourth of July

An awesome, modern alternative to rice-throwing at the end of a wedding? Sparklers! Cheap, but mounds of fun.

Wait until night time and have the bride and groom walk down the aisle surrounded by family and friends waving sparklers. This’ll make for great photos.

This is one of the outdoor wedding ideas that’ll be fun for kids as well as adults. Phew! Got that taken care of.

8. Themed Photo Backdrop

Everyone loves taking an epic photo for Instagram, Facebook, and the like. (After all, that’s what the personalized hashtag is for.) Take a wall and have it decorated to fit your theme. If it’s a beach-y theme, think fishnets, shells, and a sandy bottom.

You can include your banners and balloons from earlier near the photo booth area, too, or you can use props. Take sticks and attach glasses, lips, beards, and other silly things to the end, and your photoshoot just went up a notch.

9. Macrame Everything

Not only does macrame look great, it’s useful, too. Known as an intricate, handmade webbing produced from cords, it can be used to hang things, string up some beautiful decor, and anything else your creative mind comes up with.

Hang your flower arrangements in terra cotta pots from macrame, and you’ve got a beautiful, natural-looking set-up for your wedding. It looks classy, special, and unique.

This is one of our favorite outdoor wedding ideas because it combines homemade artwork with pretty displays and nature.

10. Creative Place/Table Cards

Keep your theme in mind when making place cards and/or cards which indicate your guest’s table for the evening.

If you’re a librarian or book-lover, make the place cards look like old-school library cards (remember those!?). If you’re into Star Wars, make each table named after a character. You get the idea.

Chances are, many people will keep souvenir items like these for memorabilia or scrapbooks, so let your mind run wild, and make ’em cool!

11. A Guestbook to Remember

Speaking of souvenirs, you’re both gonna want one too (aside from the amazing memories, photos, and gifts you’re sure to get already). A guestbook will remind you who was there, and you can even give them more space to write the newlywed couple well wishes.

Although this is one of the more obvious outdoor wedding ideas (or wedding ideas at all), we’re here to encourage creativity. So theme your guestbook in any number of ways: make a plaque in the shape of your home state; make it look like a library’s directory; and so on.

12. Vintage Rugs (Trust Us)

Take your aisle game to the next level with frilly, fun rugs.

These can make a cool, clever walkway for your bride, groom, and bridal party. Avoid heels digging into dirt, and throw down a bunch of old rugs you already own, or rent/buy some antique wonders for a pretty display.

If you’re not feeling flats for the day of your wedding, vintage rugs are one of the best outdoor wedding ideas we’ve got. After all, shoes are the best part of the outfit. Save your heels from sinking and opt for this transportable carpet.

Let’s Get Married

With at least 35% of weddings being outdoor occasions, we’re not surprised that you came here looking for outdoor wedding ideas.

From gardens, to beaches, to parks, barns, and more, these alfresco weddings offer diverse, fun, and special opportunities for you to celebrate love and connection in a unique way.

Stand out with bright greens, vivid colors, and creative use of Mother Nature’s gifts. Say “I do” with the mountains as your backdrop. Dance until sunset, or until you start seeing fireflies. But most of all, enjoy the fresh air with your new life partner.

We’re excited to see how your wedding turns out. Send us your pictures or ideas!