Low-key, utterly beautiful backyard wedding ideas

If you’re thinking of a low-key, but an oh-so-lovely wedding, saying ‘I do’ in a garden space can be utterly romantic and beautiful. Backyard wedding celebrations are equally relaxed as they are special. From the details in the décor to the personal touches, it’s the kind of heartfelt party your friends and family will be hanging out to attend. Plus, it’s much kinder on the wallet and your sanity, too!

Whether you’re planning on holding the wedding at your home or someone else’s, the two essential ingredients for a lovely backyard wedding are the same: Embrace both casual and luxury vibes and always have a plan B (in case of bad weather).

Ready to transform your backyard into bridal bliss? Here are some of the most elegant, charming and easy-going ideas to incorporate.

Create a ‘pop-up’ wedding venue

If you don’t already have a freestanding structure in your garden, you can create a pop-up wedding venue through a hired gazebo, arbour or marquee. A simple suburban backyard is a perfect backdrop for an intimate pop-up wedding ceremony and celebration. Deck your outdoor area out with dining settings, lawn games for the cocktail hour and whimsical outdoor accessories to give the space a magical and unique touch.

Colour cues

Taking advantage of the beautiful outdoors means you can use nature as your colour inspiration. Pick a palette that coordinates with the season and location. Fresh greens and light neutral browns combined with pastels make a striking combination or add a pop of colour for extra personality. A vivid blue, sunny yellow or candy-apple red pair nicely with the typical garden colour palette and break up the softer hues. If you want to up your luxe factor, add rich coppers, golds or silvers to your decor.

Feature romantic lighting

Great ambience will transform your home wedding from good to gorgeous. From the first dance under twinkling fairy lights to exchanging toasts under the romantic glow of melting candelabras and lanterns, the right lighting really can set an enchanting mood.

The best thing about outdoor lighting is you can get as creative as you want. String lights through the ceiling of your patio or pergola space and wrap them around nearby trees and shrubs. Hang filament light bulbs under the patio or marquee roof and line garden beds with tiki torches. Oversized lanterns and candles are great alternatives to spotlights too. They’ll offer a warm ambience, ample light and elegant atmosphere. For safety reasons make sure all walkways, paths and entries are well lit.

Comfort is key

Backyard weddings ooze relaxation and easy-going comfort. Not only do you want it to look the part (swap the princess ball gown for a fuss-free elegant slimline dress), but you want to cater the space for it too. Provide a comfortable place to lounge with cushions and cosy blankets to keep guests warm well into the night. If the weather calls for it, a fire pit or outdoor gas heaters may be necessary for cooler evenings.

If you’re getting hitched in summer, you may want to invest in some pretty customised paper fans, parasols, outdoor fans or misters to keep everyone cool throughout the day too. Utilise shady tree areas for the ceremony, eating and drinking spots or encourage guests to congregate under the patio area.

When it comes to time to bust a move, prompt a bustling dance floor by setting up a flip-flop station by the band or DJ to help your friends and family feel comfortable to kick their heels up.

Make a statement with seasonal blooms

Stick to seasonal blooms or even homegrown foliage to complement your backyard wedding. This will also ensure you have the freshest flowers for the special occasion. Wildflowers can be perfect for the bouquets and as centrepieces for tables, working exceptionally well in outdoor weddings. If you’re after something more relaxed, a bridal bouquet made of leafy greens, air plants, eucalyptus and white roses is ideal. Once you know what season you’re getting married in, have a look at the best wedding blooms for that time of year for inspiration.

Encourage picnic style dining

For a cosy yet stylish occasion, you want to get the dining set up just right. Casual seating is key, but it must be comfortable too. Depending on the number of guests, you can hire food trucks, tables and chairs to cater for your event. Set up under shady trees or dine under the patio or marquee space. Scatter picnic blankets around the backyard for guests who want to lay back and lounge around while you tie the knot or are off taking photos. It’s always a good idea to keep a row of chairs set up too for those who aren’t comfortable on the ground.

Set up good lighting over the tables so guests can see their food and each other. Low-hanging Edison bulbs strung from a floral chandelier above the dining space adds a cool rustic touch. Don’t be afraid to bring some of the indoors outside as well. A couch, dining table or a couple of armchairs can provide perfect casual outdoor seating and food serving space for the evening. An indoor rug runner, for example, can make a pretty aisle to walk down on the lawn.

Turn the patio into a dance floor

What’s a backyard wedding without a dance floor? Another great alternative for a patio or pergola space is to turn it into a dance room. Whilst this area is good for exchanging your vows or wining and dining in, a smooth and flat patio or deck surface for dancing feet is perfect. Function companies hire out dance floors or you can set one up a flat grassy area, provided there are no stilettos!      

Backyard weddings are a fantastic alternative to pricey wedding venues, especially if your carefree energy demands something low-key yet breathtakingly beautiful. There are lots of ideas on Pinterest to get those creative juices flowing too. From decorating ideas to refreshing cocktail recipes and buffet-style food. What ideas will you be using for your special day?