More and more couples are choosing to host their weddings outdoors - and for good reason! Inviting the outdoors into your wedding can create a relaxed, informal and joyous environment, perfect for couples looking for a non-traditional wedding without the church and steeple. We love reading about intimate back garden weddings, and how couples have turned their day into something fully their own, complete with flowers, grass, marquees, food trucks and more! 

You can make your day exactly as you want - free of structure, both metaphorically and physically. One thing you’ll need to be mindful of in England and Wales, is that marriage laws mean you do need to sign the register in a licensed building. However, the rest of your day can be out in the open, with all of the fun and fresh air of a back garden wedding. 

Outdoor food and drink

Ah, the booze and the bites - a key to any occasion! This is your day, your way, so why not consider a BBQ, or maybe rent a pizza oven and invite guests to top their own sourdough pizza creations. When planning an outdoor wedding, taking a relaxed approach to the dining experience can be a perfect way to give a nod to the classic culture of garden parties and the UK’s appetite for summer BBQ’s.

Check out the directory for our highly recommended mobile booze caterers serving cocktails, fizz and beer, bringing the festival vibe right to your back door.

Protect against the elements

Depending on the space you have, you may want to rent a marquee or gazebo to protect against any weather changes - we all know how fickle British weather can be. There are luxury marquees, tipi tents, wooden gazebos, and so many other outdoor covering ideas that you can choose to incorporate as planned, or as a back up in case the heavens open and decide to bless your day in an unexpected way!

Creating your back garden “venue”

Seating, tables, signs, backdrops - there’s a lot that you can add to turn your back garden into your ultimate wedding venue, exactly how you’ve dreamed it up. Making use of furniture and props really adds your and your partner’s spark and style to the day. We’re so inspired by Adam and Joshua’s big day, where they created an outdoor technicolour marvel of a back garden wedding - going to show you really can dream up the day your way. 

We have an incredible list of furniture and prop hire suppliers, not to mention event stylists to help with your outdoor wedding planning. You may be planning to DIY most of your day if you’re keen to create an informal back garden wedding, and we’ve certainly got lots of tips for DIYing your big day! However, you can also consider support from a professional - not all of us want to DIY everything ourselves, and for some of us, it’s more stress than it’s worth. 

If you do want to DIY it, perhaps some car boot sale hunting and moving some of your favourite indoor furniture outside will be all you need to create the atmosphere you’re after.

Drawing the day to a close

As the evening draws in, prepare with blankets, fire pits, and outdoor heaters to keep your guests warm. Lighting too is something to remember, as although the day may have been sunny, the evening may need some lighting (you don’t want anyone getting lost in the dark). 

As you move into the evening, it’s the perfect time for more fun, with marshmallow roasting, the topping up of drinks, and maybe some games, dancing, a late-night photoshoot or a wild karaoke booth! Ultimately it’s your day, and you can make it into whatever you want.