Are you looking for the best backyard wedding ideas to recreate for your big day? Here are 42 insanely beautiful and budget-friendly outdoor wedding ideas.
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Congratulations to all the brides-to-be. It must be so exciting waiting for the big day to arrive. Exciting and very overwhelming. I know a lot of people like to have their wedding in churches or banquet halls, but a backyard wedding is just as beautiful and is even more special because it is at your home.
I absolutely love backyard weddings. My friends actually held their wedding in the backyard of their new home, and it was amazing. Now every time they’re home, it brings back all of those memories from their special day. A backyard wedding is best if you are having a small wedding, but if you have a larger backyard, then you can obviously invite more guests.
On the long list of things to do before the big day, like finding a good makeup artist, hunting down your dream wedding dress, and making sure everything goes according to plan, your backyard wedding should not be on that list. So to make preparing for your big day a little less chaotic, I’ve gathered over 40 insanely cute and cheap backyard wedding ideas.
From stunning window pane seating charts to delicious food options and gorgeous centerpieces, there are lots of wedding ideas for you to choose from.
BACKYARD WEDDING IDEAS
1. diy bottle light backdrop
First of all, can we just talk about how gorgeous this is? I am out of words, honestly. It is just so beautiful and romantic.
You don’t have to go and spend thousands to have a stunning wedding backdrop. You can easily DIY this with a few simple supplies.
You’ll first need to make the giant canvas. You can find a bunch of tutorials on how to do that on YouTube. Then get some empty glass bottles and put fairy lights inside them.
Next, you’ll want to start securing the string to the canvas.
Make sure they are all different lengths so the bottles cover up the entire frame and look incredible as a piece and not just on the bottom.
Your pictures will turn out amazing, and you’ll have a gorgeous wedding decoration to incorporate.
2. Take a shot station
Let everyone take a shot to get the party started! I know a lot of couples who had a shot station at their wedding, and it was a huge hit.
If your wedding vibe is rustic, then you can get a wooden barrel and use that to place all the shots on. You can also just use a little table or cart.
Make sure to include a bunch of different options since not everyone likes the same things. A few popular options to include are tequila, whiskey, and vodka.
3. glow sticks
Depending on what time you’re planning on having your wedding and reception, this could be a fantastic idea. All weddings need dance floors, right? So light it up with these glow sticks.
If your reception is at night when it starts to get dark, you should definitely include this idea. Just grab a basket and fill it up with glow sticks.
When guests are about to enter the dance floor, they can grab a glow stick and tie it around their wrist or just hold it. It’ll make the party so much more fun.
4. diy photo frame
Take the best pictures, and have a little fun with this DIY photo frame. You can get the frame for super cheap on Amazon.
Buy some lacy/sheer white fabric and use it to secure the frame to a nearby tree. Make sure the tree isn’t too high up or too low. You can also adjust the height of the frame with the fabric.
You and your hubby can take some adorable pictures with this, and your friends can also snap some pretty stunning pics.
5. chips station
I don’t know about you, but I love chips. I mean, seriously, who doesn’t right? It is the best snack, appetizer, treat, or whatever you want to call it.
So, having a chips station in your backyard wedding isn’t a bad idea. Especially if there are going to be kids present. Buy a couple of wooden stands or DIY them yourself.
Use string and clothespins to secure the chips to the stand. Include a few different options so your guests can choose which one they want.
Some popular choices are Doritos, Lays potato chips, Cheetos, and Takis.
6. Hang up string lights
Everything looks amazing at your wedding, but the “ceiling” is just so plain. Well, spice it up by hanging some string lights.
You can get many different versions and designs on Amazon for less than 30$. I suggest getting the ones with the little bulbs just because they stand out a bit more.
The warm light adds a touch of romance and elegance to your wedding. It’ll look even better when the sun starts to set.
You can secure the ends to some trees, or get poles and attach the ends to them.
7. pallet schedule
Let everyone know what is going to happen at what time by making a cute schedule board.
A very popular way to do this for backyard weddings is by getting a wooden pallet and just writing down the schedule there. Use a white marker so it stands out.
You can also just use stickers if you want it to be more aesthetically pleasing. Add some flowers and greenery to make it all pretty.
You can put this at the entrance of your wedding so guests know what to expect right off the bat.
8. mirror welcome sign
Who wants a boring old welcome sign? I certainly don’t. Make your welcome sign stand out as much as your wedding by recreating this gorgeous mirror welcome sign idea.
All you need is a mirror with legs and some markers. Customize the mirror however you want. Add your and your soon-to-be husband’s names along with a few sweet words at the bottom.
Add some floral decorations around the perimeter and proudly display this by the entrance.
9. Wedding coloring pages
Are you planning on having kids present at your wedding? If so, you need to include this idea at your event.
Nobody wants kids running around and wreaking havoc on the most special day of your life. Keep them seated and occupied by giving them some coloring pages and a pack of crayons.
Create the “station” at their table. Include a few coloring pages and clip them to a clipboard. Then secure the box of crayons on top. The kids can just grab one at their table and start coloring.
10. Please be seeded
If you’re looking for a fun and cheap party favor and a way to tell the guests to sit down, this is the idea for you.
You’ll need a wooden stand and a wooden planter box, along with some string and clothespins. Fill up the planter with a gorgeous arrangement of flowers.
Write “let love grow” on the box and place this in front of the stand. Then use the string and clothespins to secure the packets of flower seeds.
Write” please be seeded” on top for a fun way to let the guests know to be seated. At the end of the wedding, they can all take a packet of seeds and plant them and let them grow, just like your love.
11. To and to hold in case you get cold
I absolutely love that phrase, haha!
Backyard weddings are typically held in the spring and summer. Spring and summer are the perfect seasons to have your wedding since it won’t be too cold and the weather won’t ruin your event.
But you can also have your wedding in the fall and winter. I like to think of those months as the romantic months.
I don’t know why, but the falling snow and the candles and the pretty flowers all scream romance to me.
Anyway, if you are planning on throwing your wedding during fall, winter, or even spring, I highly recommend you have a blanket station for the guests to grab one in case they get cold.
You can keep it at the end of the aisle so everyone can just grab one before going to their seats.
12. Ladder picture display
Spice up your wedding decorations with this gorgeous ladder picture display. You can get a ladder shelf from Amazon for super cheap.
Display all of your best, cute pictures of you and your significant other on the ladder shelves. Add some candles and some flowers to make it even prettier.
You can display this literally anywhere you want; you cannot go wrong with it.
13. Help us build memories
I actually had this at my high school graduation, and it was so much fun. Who wants to sign a boring old guest sign-in sheet? Not me!
If you want something a little different at your wedding, create a little station where guests can sign Jenga pieces.
They can sign their name and write a little note for you on the block. In the future, when you take out this Jenga set to play, you’ll be reminded of the most special day of your life.
14. Beautiful fabric wedding arch
I am beyond obsessed with this wedding arch. It is just so elegant, beautiful, and romantic. Tell me who wouldn’t want to get married here?
You can recreate this gorgeous arch with sheer fabric, a wooden arch, and lots of flowers.
You’ll want to first drape the fabric over the arch, move it around a bit, and see what looks best before securing it.
Then add lots of flowers on the corners and on either side of the arch to bring everything together. The pictures are sure to look incredible!
15. sparkler send off
Make sure your wedding send-off is one you will remember forever with an amazing sparkler send-off.
Create a little station with lots of sparklers and a mini chalkboard that tells the guests what time the send-off is.
They can take a couple of sparklers, and when it is time for the send-off, they can light them up.
16. wedding photo backdrop
You obviously need a photo backdrop on your special day. But don’t stress about the cost because you can easily DIY this yourself.
Just get some wooden pallets and secure them on top with some sturdy nails. Then drape some fabric over the front.
I recommend a white, sheer fabric just because I think it looks more elegant and romantic. Then get a custom sign with your last name and hang that in the middle.
Add some greenery and flowers to complete the look.
17. Wooden crate initials
If you are looking for a great way to display your initials at your wedding, then this one’s for you. Get some wooden crates from Home Depot or Amazon.
You can either stack them on top of each other and leave them or, if you want them to be more secure, you can hammer a couple of nails in.
Make it look pretty by incorporating baby’s breath and flowers. Now all you have to do is buy a couple of wooden letters for your initials and display them on the crates.
18. raining hearts
This may just be one of the most beautiful backyard wedding decorations I’ve seen. You quite literally don’t have to spend any money for this.
Get your friends and family involved and have them make lots of hearts in different sizes. Use white paper, or if you want, you can also use colored paper to brighten up the space.
Now, use glue to secure them on white strings. Hang them up on tree branches for the perfect wedding decor.
19. baby’s breath decor
Baby’s breath is the perfect flower for a wedding. They are elegant, classy, and so romantic. Incorporate them into your table centerpiece and wedding decorations.
You can easily recreate this by buying a few tree stumps from Home Depot, placing baby’s breath in some mason jars, and putting the mason jars with baby’s breath on the stumps.
This is such a great way to elevate your space and will make your backyard wedding feel more elegant.
20. cards basket
It’s a wedding, babe, which means you are going to be getting a bunch of congratulatory cards.
Make sure it doesn’t end up on the floor, get blown away by the wind, or get stomped on by guests, and include a card basket.
This way, guests can place their cards inside, the ground will stay card-free, and you can read everything once the day is over.
21. pizza bar
You obviously need food at a wedding, and pizza is a great choice. Everyone loves it, and it is affordable. You can either make them at home or order from a restaurant.
I highly recommend ordering, though, because you are going to be stressed and worried about a million other things and don’t need food to be one of them.
Make sure to buy a few different pizzas with different toppings to cater to everyone. Also include a plain cheese and veggie pizza for those who don’t eat meat.
22. chair sashes
Take your plain Jane chair and give it a little makeover by adding chair sashes. Nothing is wrong with a plain chair, but this is your wedding.
You can’t treat it like any other day. Make your chairs look as beautiful as you do and add burlap sashes to them. You can get them from the Michaels store for a really affordable price.
Add some baby’s breath at the back to complete the look.
23. Galvanized tub tea lights
Make your wedding look and feel like a fairytale come true and recreate this gorgeous galvanized tea light tub. This is a great way to make your wedding look more elegant and romantic.
You’ll first need to get a galvanized tub and fill it up with water. Then add some flower petals to it along with tea lights. You can use real or LED tea lights for this.
If you’re using real ones, I suggest only lighting them up when guests are about to arrive so you can have that romantic decor for longer.
24. paper lanterns
Paper lanterns are an amazing decoration for an outdoor wedding. They are cheap, easy to set up, and look incredible.
Just buy a couple of packs from Amazon and hang them up on trees or an outdoor tent if you have one. It’ll make the setting feel more classy and elegant.
25. Sitting area
Outdoor weddings lean more towards casual and intimate. So having a sitting area for your guests is a great idea. I mean, nobody wants to sit on those hard chairs for hours, am I right?
You don’t have to buy brand new furniture for this; just bring out a couple of chairs and small sofas from your house outside. Also get a rug and a small coffee table to make the space more cozy.
26. Elegant centerpiece idea
Every table needs a centerpiece that is going to set the vibe.
You can easily recreate this one with a wooden slice, a mini candle, a cute picture of the two of you together, and some eucalyptus leaves around the wooden slice.
Also add a small vase with baby’s breath to make it look more classy.
27. Donut mind if “i Do”
Donuts, at a wedding? Absolutely! I mean, first of all, who doesn’t love donuts? It is seriously one of my favorite treats. You can get a donut board from Etsy for a really good price.
You can also ask them to add the “donut mind if I do” on the top, which is just perfect for your big day. Include lots of different options and a variety of flavors and toppings to cater to everyone.
28. Sunscreen and bug spray
Sunscreen and bug spray are an absolute must for summer, especially if you are going to be spending a lot of time outdoors.
Since you are having an outdoor wedding, be prepared for the heat and for the annoying bugs.
Make sure you don’t get sunburned or bitten, and put on lots of sunscreen and also spray your body with bug spray.
I’m sure the guests will know to do that too, but in case they forget, have a little corner that includes sunscreen and bug spray for them to use.
29. hanging pictures
This is definitely one of my favorite wedding ideas on this list. Hang up adorable pictures of you and your significant other on tree branches.
Include silly pictures, some cute pictures, candid photos, and anything else you want to include. Punch little holes in the tops of the images and use ribbon to secure them to the branches.
30. mini sandwiches
Mini sandwiches are another great food option for a backyard wedding. They are easy to make, affordable, and are a hit amongst a crowd.
Include different variations with different ingredients. Also make sure to include a few vegetarian sandwiches as well.
31. windowpane seating chart
If you are looking for a unique way to let guests know which table to sit at, this one’s for you.
If you have a set of old windopanes, instead of throwing them out, use them to create a cute seating chart. You can also go to your local thrift store to see if they have any.
Then get a white chalk marker and use it to write down table numbers and the names of the guests. This is such a fun seating chart idea, and the guests will seriously love it.
32. Romantic table centerpiece
I am seriously obsessed with this gorgeous table decor. If you are planning on setting up a long dining table at your backyard wedding, you can’t just leave the center looking plain and sad.
Dress it up and recreate this stunning table centerpiece idea. First, get small vases and a few stems of your favorite flowers.
Place them inside the vases and also get some mini candles along with tapered ones. Set everything up by first getting a table runner and putting everything on top.
This is going to catch everyone’s eye and is going to guarantee compliments.
33. strawberry shortcake
Looking for an easy way to serve cake at your wedding? Stop your search because you’ve found it. Get plastic cups or plates from your local Dollar Store.
Now all you have to do is cut the cake into equal pieces and place them on the plates or cups. Then get a tiered stand to put the plates/cups on.
It’ll be easier for the guests to just grab one and go, and nobody is fighting over cake. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen, lol!
34. s’mores station
S’mores are a classic summer treat that you just can’t beat. They are literally everyone’s favorite and are also super fun to put together.
Since you are having a backyard wedding, you can opt for a big bonfire. Guests can roast their marshmallows and sit around the fire and chat. Plus, it is just so nostalgic.
It’ll for sure bring back some happy memories from your youth.
35. Fruit cups with tajin
If you are looking for another delicious snack to serve at your backyard wedding, fruit cups are an obvious choice.
All you have to do is cut up some fruit and put them in disposable cups. A few to include are mango, watermelon, oranges, melon, and papaya.
I fear everything tastes better with a little bit of tajin on it, so don’t forget to add mini bottles to the cups. Also make sure there are plenty of napkins and forks.
36. Milk and cookies
What better way to end a night filled with laughter, love, and joy than enjoying a glass of milk and cookies?
It is a great late-night snack, and everyone will love it! You can use wine glasses to pour the milk into to elevate the snack a little.
37. charcuterie table
Charcuterie boards are a huge hit at parties and events, and weddings are no different. You can set up an entire table just for charcuterie boards.
Fill it up with the classics like cured meats, cheeses, veggies, fruits, and a few sweet treats. You can also include dips and sauces.
38. coffee bar
I know what you’re thinking: “coffee at a wedding?” Well, yes, coffee is perfect for an event such as your wedding.
You don’t want your guests to get tired and partied out before the real celebration even begins, do you?
So, do everyone a favor and set up a mini coffee bar. Include lots of coffee pods, coffee creamer, sugar, syrups, and a few biscuits they can enjoy while sippin’ on their coffee.
39. Taco station
Tacos are another fan favorite that you can’t go wrong with. Instead of pre-making them for your guests, set up a cute little taco bar station.
Everyone can make their own tacos however they want. Just be sure to include all of the ingredients.
A few popular filling choices are guacamole, lettuce, onions, cheese, beef, chicken, tomatoes, beans, and corn.
40. giant tic tac toe
Make sure your guests are having fun and enjoying themselves by including a couple of fun yard games. One that everyone loves is tic tac toe.
Instead of using pen and paper to play, go on Etsy and order a giant tic tac toe set instead. This will make the game so much more fun, and the guests are sure to have a blast as well.
41. Beverage bar
I think it goes without saying, but you obviously need refreshments at weddings and literally any social event. Especially since most backyard weddings are held during the summer.
The sun is going to make you heat up and sweat, and you just need an iced cold drink to cool you down. A few to include are Coke, Pepsi, Fanta, Lemonade, Dr Pepper, Sprite, and of course, water.
42. Tree picture display
Last but definitely not least, we have this amazing backyard wedding idea that is sure to get a few “aww”‘s.
Don’t leave the trees blank; make use of the surface to display super cute pictures of you and your significant other.
Just grab a few nails, a hammer, and your fave photos in frames, and start hammering. Tie ribbons on the frames to hang them up on the nails.
This is such a cute and creative way to display pictures at your wedding.
THIS POST SHOWED YOU THE BEST BACKYARD WEDDING IDEAS
