60 Outdoor Wedding Ideas You’ll Fall in Love With
From al fresco décor to open-air ceremonies and outdoor bars, we’ve got all the outdoor wedding inspiration you could need for a big day to remember
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Booked or got your sights set on an outdoor wedding venue? Since we’re so spoilt for choice when it comes to field, woodland, garden and coastal settings in the UK, we’ve got the outdoor wedding ideas that will help make your day unforgettable.
Not only does an outdoor wedding allow for some seriously beautiful natural décor, romantic photo backdrops and the chance to party under the stars, but you’ll often also have more space and creative freedom when it comes to your guest list, layout and styling.
Worried about the weather? Don’t be. A few strategic add-ons will prevent the whole thing being rained off (though kissing in the rain can be pretty atmospheric, too!), while any wedding venue worth its salt will have an equally beautiful back-up option or two to pick from.
Whether you want entertainment ideas for garden weddings, outdoor wedding themes or woodland wedding ideas, we’ve got plenty of inspiration that you and your guests will adore. Here’s how to plan and pull off the ultimate outdoor wedding from start to finish…
60 UK Outdoor Wedding Ideas for Every Kind of Couple
From dreamy décor to florist-approved blooms, chic tablescapes to fun entertainment, create an unforgettable big-day atmosphere with these inspiring ideas
- Outdoor Wedding Decoration Ideas
- Outdoor Ceremony Ideas
- Outdoor Wedding Flower Ideas
- Outdoor Wedding Food & Drink Ideas
- Outdoor Wedding Entertainment Ideas
Outdoor Wedding Decoration Ideas
Give your outdoor wedding aesthetic a modern-day makeover with these romantic outdoor wedding themes and garden wedding ideas
1. Use Wooden Signage
Working natural and eco-friendly materials into your wedding day styling will keep the look effortless yet magical – and humble wooden signage is the perfect place to start.
It can be something as simple as this welcome sign, pictured at West Yorkshire farm wedding venue Bert’s Barrow – consider adding beautiful calligraphy and a draped flower garland for extra wow-factor. See also: wooden pallets for order of the day signage.
2. Bring the Inside Out
There’s something really chic about bringing indoor furniture and accessories outside, and there are plenty of companies out there that offer the hire of vintage furnishings to add a quirky aesthetic.
Options include an old writing desk to display your guest book, wooden cabinets to showcase escort cards or a table plan crafted using old photo frames, as shown here at Lake District wedding venue Lancrigg.
3. Add Carpets or Rugs
In a similar vein, bring carpets or rugs to delineate the aisle or provide an arty backdrop for photos, as styled here by Ink & Alder. They’ll add a splash of colour to an outdoor wedding setting and feel very luxe in an otherwise wild and natural environment.
4. Craft Order of Service Fans
If you’re getting married outdoors in the height of summer, consider turning your order of service cards into paddles that guests can fan themselves with. Placing one on each guest's seat will not only help them keep cool during the ceremony but they’ll more likely be taken home as a keepsake once carriages arrive. We love these from Boho Babe UK Studio.
5. Gift Parasols… or Umbrellas!
Similarly, a bucket of parasols is perfect for shielding your guests from the midday rays at a garden wedding. Though if rain is more likely, have umbrellas to hand to protect you all from the elements.
6. Borrow Blankets
Hire or gift blankets to keep guests warm when the temperature starts to dip. Either use them to jazz up plain seating or display them in wooden crates – like this beautiful set-up by Deborah Maria Wedding Styling – so guests can help themselves when they want to snuggle.
7. Pick a Focal Point
Let nature do the heavy lifting by centring your celebration around a dramatic natural focal point. It could be the heather-covered moorlands of Edale Gathering in Derbyshire (pictured), a waterfall, a clifftop, an old oak tree you both love, or your nan’s rose bush – anything goes, but it’ll provide a memorable and meaningful backdrop with very little effort on your part.
8. Let the Setting Dictate Your Theme
In the same way, make the most of what the outdoors has to offer by letting your setting inspire the theme of your day. Planning a beach wedding? Incorporating shells and pale blue silk ribbons into your stationery and décor will help your wedding styling feel cohesive and harmonious.
9. Adorn the Trees
Natural infrastructure will provide the perfect backdrop for your décor. Not only does festoon lighting look enchanting as the sun goes down, but it’ll help your guests navigate their way to the aisle or dancefloor in the dark. String lights and light-up signs in branches, as shown here at Worth Forest Weddings in West Sussex, for a starry-sky effect.
10. Have a Dressing Tent
Want to take your festival wedding décor to the next level? How about a separate dressing tent – like this one styled by Browning Bros Events – filled with mirrors and handy essentials to help your guests stay comfortable and fresh?
Include baskets filled with toiletries such as hand sanitiser, tissues, dry shampoo, wet wipes, blotting papers and perfume so guests can swing by and top up their hair and make-up – you could even include mini fashion fixes like a sewing kit, stain remover wipes, plasters, heel cushions and safety pins for any outfit emergencies.
11. Throw Some Shade
If you’ve planned your outdoor wedding in a fairly open space, such as a field or on the beach, you’ll need to add some shade to prevent guests from overheating.
Oversized umbrellas, like these set up at Elmore Court in Gloucestershire, are perfect. Pair with some day beds, bean bags or comfortable floor cushions for an Ibiza vibe.
12. Choose an Open-Sided Marquee
An open-sided marquee makes for a ‘best of both worlds’ reception space – it’s light and airy, but you’ve got coverage should the rain clouds gather. Decorate the ceiling and poles with foliage and naked bulbs to keep the aesthetic in-keeping with the natural surroundings.
13. Mix and Match Your Furniture
Since outdoor weddings tend to be more relaxed in style by default, mixing and matching your furniture at your garden ceremony or reception will add a quirky and unique talking point as guests take their seats. If you don’t want to do it at your tables, it works particularly well for a chill-out area like this one at Happy Valley in Norfolk.
14. Add Leaf Place Names
Leaf place names – like these from wedding stationer and calligrapher Bemore-ish – are perfectly in-keeping with an outdoor wedding theme. If you’re confident in your own handwriting, this is also one of our favourite budget-friendly outdoor wedding ideas.
15. Choose Earthy Tones
Natural colour palettes look polished yet effortless, whether you’re tying the knot on the lawns of a garden wedding venue or in a wild woodland.
Pick up on the natural elements present in your outdoors location at the time of year you’re getting married (is it the month for bluebells or cherry blossom?) and incorporate key shades into everything from your menus to your flowers.
16. Light Candles
If your venue allows them, of course. Candles look especially captivating flickering against the sunset. We love this set up from London-based planner Moments So Lovely.
17. Hand-Write Your Menus
Whether you enlist the help of a calligrapher or write them yourself, handwritten details are one of the most personal and meaningful elements you can bring to an outdoor wedding.
We love this Greek-inspired set-up from planner Lauren Alexander Weddings for inspiration. Handwritten menus are straightforward to do if you’re having a small guest list and one of our favourite outdoor wedding ideas that can be done on a budget.
18. String Lanterns
Want to add a vibrant pop of colour to the treetops? Rainbow lanterns are an inexpensive way to create an instantly joyful backdrop.
19. Create a Chill-Out Area
Another way to bring the indoors out is with a relaxed lounge area – rattan furniture, rugs, coffee tables, big cushions and throws all make for an inviting space where guests can hang during reception drinks and take a break from dancing.
20. Choose Banquet Tables
It can sometimes be harder to create intimacy and atmosphere at an outdoor wedding, particularly if you’re working with a large space, so banqueting tables are the perfect way to bring everyone together for the meal. Whether you go for long tables or serpentine tables, they'll help to create a warm, communal tone and are a great way to maximise your space.
21. Gift Succulent Favours
Keen to keep to a green theme? Why not gift your guests individual succulent wedding favours to mimic the shrubbery of a garden wedding venue?
These low-maintenance plants are one of our favourite outdoor wedding ideas and are an eco-friendlier choice compared to many other wedding favours. You can pick up a variety of succulents like these from The Little Hanging Garden Company in Surrey.
22. Hang Photos from the Trees
A memory board crafted from an old wooden pallet or photo-style bunting hung in the trees is a touching way to display the journey you’ve had as a couple, as well as pay tribute to loved ones who can’t be with you on your wedding day.
23. Deck Out the Grounds
Whether it’s deck chairs, hay bales, wooden benches, cushions or bean bags, ensure you have a variety of seating so you guests can rest their legs and take a breather.
24. Have a Wishing Tree
Wishing trees – whereby guests write their well wishes on tags and hang them from a small model tree – have long been a popular guest book alternative. But if you’re having an outdoor wedding, why not ask your loved ones to hang their words of wisdom from a real tree instead?
25. Make Drapes a Feature
Give your outdoor wedding the 2026 treatment by incorporating one of our favourite reception trends – drapes.
Beautiful draping is a great way to create impact on a budget (much cheaper, for example, than covering an entire wall or space with flowers). They work on the backs of chairs, swathed over tables or as a ceiling installation on a marquee.
26. Bring in the Barrels
Whether used as tables, recycling bins, a focal point for your wedding venue entrance or a place to display your canapés, old whiskey barrels are an inexpensive yet hard-wearing wedding prop.
Put lanterns on them to illuminate an outdoor space when the sun goes down – they’re also extremely handy for propping up bouquets while hugging guests or grabbing a bite to eat.
Outdoor Ceremony Ideas
A little bit of imagination goes a very long way when it comes to making your vows. Here are some of our favourite outdoor wedding ceremony ideas
27. Keep it Small
A micro ceremony, with just a handful of friends and family looking on as you tie the knot, can feel just as romantic as a more elaborate outdoor wedding. A pared-back guest list can also open you up to a whole host of different venues – from hidden beach coves and woodlands to the gardens of a private home.
28. Or Go Big
Having trouble narrowing down the guest list? Choose a wedding venue with sprawling grounds for lavish nuptials your loved ones will never forget. Consider different seating layouts or microphones so everyone is able to hear you say your vows clearly.
29. Choose a Garden Venue
Pretty country house backdrops + sweeping lawns + rose-filled walled gardens = the very best of British. The UK is awash with gorgeous garden wedding venues, such as Brinsop Court in Herefordshire (pictured). Choose a date in the spring or summer when the setting will be alive with colour.
30. Keep it Coastal
Oh, we do love to say ‘I do’ beside the seaside! Why not say your vows with your toes in the sand at a beach venue like Lusty Glaze on the coast of Cornwall that combines spectacular sea views, dramatic cliffs and secluded coves for romantic photo ops. Just dreamy.
31. Wed in a Woodland
Does a rustic retreat sound more like your thing? Get back to nature by tying the knot in one of the UK’s stunning woodland wedding venues. One of our favourites is the woodland clearing at Escrick Park Estate in North Yorkshire, which can be yours for four whole days.
32. Switch up your Seating
Outdoor weddings are the perfect opportunity to opt for less formal seating, in terms of both the style and how you set it out. Hay bales are a particularly popular choice, as shown here on the beach at Newton Hall in Northumberland, as are benches decorated with flowers, foliage or fabric. And if you’re planning a more intimate celebration, consider a small circle instead of rows.
33. Arrive in Style
An outdoor wedding is the perfect opportunity to make a dramatic entrance. If your setting is somewhat off the beaten track, consider transport options that will cope with the wilds.
A tractor and trailer set-up are ideal for remote farm venues, especially when it comes to moving guests from one part of the day to the other.
34. Sail into Your Ceremony
Got your eye on a waterside wedding venue? Lots of venues with large lakes or rivers, such as Rudding Park in Harrogate (pictured), have boat transportation as standard.
Even if you don't use it to arrive at your ceremony or reception, it's worth stepping in for the incredible photo opportunities alone. It’s also the perfect way to enjoy some time together as you relax into the next phase of the day.
35. Frame Your Vows
Dressing the spot where you’ll say your vows puts an extra personal stamp on things. If your ceremony is taking place in an area that doesn’t have a natural focal point, draw the eye with a framed backdrop such as a floral arch, drapes, wooden arch or macrame hanging.
36. Invite Your Fur Babies
One of the best things about having an outdoor wedding is that you’re not limited on space, which means your pets (no matter how big!) may be able to be present with you on the day. From horses to pups, allow them to join in the fun. Just check with your venue that it’s pet-friendly before you book.
37. Blow Bubbles
Outdoor weddings often require biodegradable alternatives to standard confetti, so always check this beforehand. Bubbles are one of our favourite options that’ll please both adult and younger guests alike!
38. Have a Rain Plan
While we all hope for glorious sunshine on our wedding day, often the Great British weather has other ideas, which means you’ll need an equally beautiful, covered option to keep your guests and suppliers comfortable and dry. Really take this into consideration when choosing your wedding venue, as the last thing you want is to be disappointed if you have to move things inside.
Outdoor Wedding Flower Ideas
Pretty floral ideas, no matter what your outdoor wedding theme
39. Pap Your Guests with a Flower Wall
You don’t have to go overly elaborate with your design, but a photo backdrop where guests can snap selfies and shots of each other enjoying the day adds an element of fun to the reception.
Keep your flower wall in the style of your wedding aesthetic – a bright colour palette like this from Funk & Bloom brings a sense of joy!
40. Think Herbs & Hedgerows
For garden and woodland wedding ideas, centrepieces that comprise plenty of foliage, moss, herbs and hedgerow flowers create a rustic elegance, and look especially statement as part of a central table runner, like this set up at Wiltshire wedding venue The Woods at Oakley.
Let the natural setting inspire your plant choices – the likes of rosemary and lavender will scent your celebrations, too.
41. Hang Your Blooms
Whether its floral hoops, hanging vases, garlands or dramatic floral installations, hanging flowers can transform a space. Utilise trees, outdoor structures such as fountains and gazebos, and even the canopy and poles of a marquee or tent to add a sense of drama and romance.
42. Create a Natural Aisle
We love the idea of using what nature has at your outdoor wedding venue to create your ceremony aisle – but it’s also equally simple to create your own using flowers that look as though they’re an extension of the existing landscape.
Just like this divine example styled by Nottinghamshire planners That Black & White Cat, line your aisle with wild arrangements that look as though they’re growing from the very spot. For a budget-friendly alternative, scattered petals make a simple and chic alternative to a runner.
43. Have a Bucolic Bake
To reflect a garden or woodland setting, one of our favourite outdoor wedding ideas is to ask your cake maker to incorporate outdoorsy details on your dessert, whether that’s edible petals, flowers, herbs or other natural materials.
44. Get Creative with Buttonholes
Organic buttonholes ‘gathered’ from nature will complement any outdoor wedding setting. Ask your florist to include wildflowers, seed heads, berries and natural silks – like The Secret Bridesmaid has done here.
45. Choose Considered Containers
Flowers in galvanised vases and milk pails are a fitting choice for a rustic or farm setting and can easily be moved from an entrance or aisle to the reception area post-ceremony.
Outdoor Wedding Food & Drink Ideas
The way to your guests’ hearts will undoubtedly be through their stomachs! Give them a party they’ll never forget with these inspired culinary ideas
46. Champagne Walls & Beer Barrows
Whether it’s guests helping themselves to a glass straight from the hedge or a repurposed wheelbarrow filled with ice, consider creative ways to display your drinks that work with the verdant surroundings as both a decorative feature and bar in one.
We love the way Birmingham-based planner Payton Events stocked this brick pizza oven with booze for a bar that’ll be talked about in years to come.
47. Pimp Your Cocktails
Whether it’s a sprig of rosemary in a G&T, a touch of lavender in their English sparkling wine or pick-your-own-fruit for the Pimm’s, guests will love being able to liven up their own welcome drinks.
Pick edible flowers or herbs that are native to your surroundings or a key element of your styling. You could even incorporate the flavours into a signature cocktail. Lavender Collins, anyone?
48. Let Guests Help Themselves
Buffets and help-yourself canapés, like this example from Dish Events, work particularly well outside – there’s no mess or drama if the kids drop a sausage roll and guests can create their own picnic at leisure. A canapé table can also be more affordable than ornate mouthfuls served by waiters.
49. Don’t Forget a Hydration Station
Water stations are essential for hot-weather weddings and make soft drink service easy. Fill large glass drinks dispensers with iced water and additional garnishes such as lemon, mint or cucumber, and allow guests to top themselves up throughout the day.
50. Dine at a Dessert Table
If a formal wedding breakfast isn’t on the cards, you can’t go wrong with a delicious dessert table like this one from Oxfordshire wedding caterers Foodtopia. Pick bite-size treats that guests can help themselves to, including brownies, doughnuts, macarons, fruit and more.
51. Have a Hot Chocolate Bar
If you’re getting married outside in the autumn or winter – or you just want to help guests beat the chill come sunset – a hot chocolate bar will go down a treat. Include fun additions like marshmallows and cream, and maybe even some hot toddies for those who are drinking!
52. Fill up at the Food Vans
If your grounds have plenty of space, food trucks are always a winner for evening food. Whether it’s freshly baked pizzas straight from the oven or fish and chips, tasty tacos or piles of paella, they’re an easy way to ensure your guests stay fuelled for the dancefloor.
53. Gather Round the Fire Pit
Fire pits are not only great for winding down and keeping warm, but they also provide the perfect base for some evening nibbles. Consider providing a s’mores table complete with marshmallows, biscuits and pokers for guests to roast their own sweet treats over the flames.
54. Book a Boat Bar
Push the boat out (ahem) for your after-party by hiring a quirky mobile bar like The Little Boat Bar based in Cornwall, which will undoubtedly prove a great talking point among your guests. We especially love this idea for those getting married at a beach wedding venue.
Outdoor Wedding Entertainment Ideas
There are no rules when it comes to puncturing your outdoor wedding festivities with fun – here are some of our favourite suggestions
55. Have Lawn Games
Lawn games will keep adults and kids alike occupied while you and your love are off having your photos taken. Many outdoor wedding venues provide them as part of their wedding packages, so always check beforehand.
56. Enjoy the Fun of the Fair
Keep casual celebrations fun with a vintage fairground theme. We love the idea of having a space where guests can take a break from dancing to enjoy games such as coconut shy, hook-a-duck and hoopla, like these from Finickity Fayre. You could even go one step further and hire a whole carousel…
57. Get Sporty
Whether it’s volleyball, a game of rounders or a quick six-a-side, competitive guests will love having the chance to indulge in a sporty pre-dinner icebreaker. Friendly guest rivalry very much encouraged!
58. Book a Fun Photo Booth
A camper van is always our photo booth of choice for an outdoor wedding. Deck it out with lights and props and snap the backseat LOLs!
59. Dance Under the Stars
If you’ve always dreamed of a first dance under the stars, an outdoor dancefloor is the stuff of fairytales. If you’re working with an outdoor courtyard or patio, there’s no need to have a special set-up unless the floor is particularly uneven or impractical – just arrange your seating to form a natural dancefloor area.
We don’t doubt the natural air-con will be most welcome when guests start throwing shapes, too!
60. Send off With Sparklers
Whether it’s just for the photo opp or to wave you off in style, sparklers will add even more star quality to an outdoor wedding. Leave sparklers in buckets for guests to help themselves, and light them as night falls.
What are the best months for an outdoor wedding in the UK?
The best months to consider hosting an outdoor wedding in the UK are typically the summer months – anywhere from May to September – when the weather will be warmer and therefore more comfortable for you and your guests.
That said, it is possible to tie the knot outside earlier or later in the year if you have all the logistics in place (including additional lighting, heating and a wet-weather back-up plan) – be sure to check with your venue that this is an option before you book.
Ready to start outfit shopping? We’ve got plenty of wedding dress inspiration to help you find the perfect look for your outdoor celebration.
