25 Outdoor Wedding Ideas for Couples on a Budget

tablescape with citrusâgrapefruit, lemons, limes, and a peachâand white candles in a wicker-like vase — Photo by Janine Licare Photography

Even the thriftiest couples can be surprised by how quickly wedding costs add up. By the time you’ve budgeted for food, drink, photography, musicians, and other day-of essentials, it’s easy to find yourself with a limited amount of cash left to spend on other important elements, such as your décor. However, never let your lack of funds deter you from hosting the celebration of your dreams, as there are countless ways to decorate your event without overspending.

More specifically, couples who choose an outdoor ceremony and reception can use Mother Nature to help enhance their soiré, leaning on landscapes, views, and open-air spaces to provide plenty of unique and jaw-dropping design elements all guests will love. Best of all? Given the beauty of nature, décor at outdoor nuptials can easily remain minimal, and, as a result, inexpensive. Meaning, if you and your partner are on a budget, don't fret: Focus on simple and subtle options for centerpieces, escort cards, and ceremony backdrops, all of which will help you enjoy the built-in beauty of your wedding location (and help keep your budget on track).

With all this in mind, if you need a bit of inspiration to help you dream up your ceremony and reception décor, we've got you covered. Ahead, here are 25 creative outdoor wedding ideas for couples on a budget.

01 of 25

Set Out Colorful Fans

Pink fan on seat at wedding ceremony — Photo by Austin Gros

At an outdoor ceremony during the warmer months, paper fans help guests stay cool while you exchange your “I dos". Give plain paper fans a colorful upgrade by choosing a pattern or solid hue that matches your wedding day aesthetic; when placed on every chair, they’ll elevate your décor (and your photos) without breaking your budget.

02 of 25

Handwrite Your Escort Cards

floral handwritten escort cards — Photo by Lacie Hansen Photography

Simple, handwritten escort cards tucked into small vases holding individual blooms offer double the décor for a single cost: They create an elegant escort display when arranged together on an entry stand, and then become part of your tablescape when moved to each place setting.

03 of 25

Create a Colorful Bar

a wine bar in the trunk of van with colorful blankets as the backdrop — Photo by Erin McGinn

A casual, self-serve bar decorated with bright textiles becomes a vibrant gathering area at an al fresco cocktail hour. Decorate your trunk with mismatched rugs, and pre-pop corks so guests can pour their own refills throughout the evening.

04 of 25

DIY Wooden Table Numbers

wooden table number in the middle of a banquet table alongside white taper and votive candles — Photo by Laura Gordon Photography

Stain small wooden squares in a rich tone that adds depth and warmth to your floral palette; then stencil (or freehand) table numbers onto each. The resulting wood plaques are rustic, elegant, and completely unique.

05 of 25

Keep Your Tablescape Simple

simple tablescape with a plate full of an arugula salad — Photo by Karen Hill Photography

Simple can still be elevated if done correctly, as shown in the tablescape above. Draw inspiration from this wedding, which featured rustic tables set without runners or tablecloths; white plates and napkins placed on gleaming wood; and ferns wrapped in napkins to add an organic element.

06 of 25

Bring in Antiques

Escort Card Display With Illustrated Cards in Floral Arrangements — Photo by JFK Imagen Social

Create a one-of-a-kind escort display using a vintage table, vases of fresh flowers, and illustrated seating assignment cards. We especially love how this couple used stacks of books to vary the height of each floral arrangement and seating card.

07 of 25

Hang String Lights

Outdoor Wedding Reception Decor with hanging string lights above the table — Photo by Jillian Mitchell

If a tent isn’t in your budget, enclose your celebration space with string lights that mimic the shape of an overhead roof. Bonus: Your guests will get unimpeded views of your venue (and the sunset).

08 of 25

Display Your Menu

Gilded Mirror Wedding Menu — Photo by The Marions

A single menu sign is often more cost-effective than individual cards set at each place; it can also serve as a pretty decorative element during your reception. Choose rustic wood, antique glass, or a vintage mirror as the backdrop; then handwrite your menu and decorate with a floral accent.

09 of 25

Create Program Fans

wedding program fan — Photo by Jana Williams Photography

Ceremony programs designed to work as fans are another two-for-one décor idea. Choose a simple square shape or get creative with your cut-outs, and attach the cards to a summer-inspired wooden popsicle stick or fringe tassel.

10 of 25

Choose Simple Chairback Decorations

wedding chairs with floral chairbacks — Photo by Red Apple Tree Photography

Adorning the newlyweds’ chairs with a simple floral garland—instead of an elaborate, trailing arrangement—is a smaller financial investment that still provides a pop of color and interest. Incorporate a few flawless blooms that match your centerpieces to create a consistent design scheme.

11 of 25

Build an Easy Altar

simple wooden arch with fall florals — Photo by Henry Tieu

Anchor your ceremony with a handmade altar, like this minimalist wooden design. The stained wooden beams and traditional V-shaped base are easy to attach, while an arrangement of fall-hued flowers enhances the overall effect.

12 of 25

Add Minimal Florals

vibrant ceremony florals — Photo by Lulan Studio

Let your ceremony surroundings provide all the decoration you need by choosing a picture-perfect background—like this waterfall—for your vows. Small arrangements of blooms in the wedding’s color palette define the space without distracting from the bucolic surroundings.

13 of 25

Opt for a Natural Cake Display

birch tree wedding cake with pinecones — Photo by Kyle John

Take advantage of the natural elements and hardscaping throughout your venue to turn practical must-haves, like your wedding cake or sweets spread, into gorgeous decorative vignettes. This circular wooden cake stand is a rugged complement to the elegant dessert.

14 of 25

Embrace Nature as Your Backdrop

tablescape in front of a mountainous landscape — Photo by Tyler Branch Photo

Who needs décor when you can use your venue's mountainous setting to create a breathtaking backdrop for your reception? By keeping the overall look streamlined, budget-conscious couples can avoid spending tons of money on decorations; simple string lights can balance the space and emphasize the beauty of Mother Nature.

15 of 25

Use Potted Plants Instead of Florals

Large potted vine plants at a wedding space. — Photo by Ari Simphukham

Surrounding your ceremony space with potted plants—whether cacti or container blooms from your own patio—is a budget-savvy way to add color and texture to your space.

16 of 25

Fill Out Tablescapes With Fruit

island themed tan wicker lanterns on table with citrus fruit — Photo by Janine Licare Photography

Stretch your floral budget by accenting centerpieces with oversized lanterns, candles, and fresh fruit. Bright citrus accents fit a coastal aesthetic; deep purple grapes and plums complement pink and blue flowers; and green, red, or yellow pears and apples fit into a fall tablescape.

17 of 25

Source Secondhand Vases

minimal centerpiece — PHOTO BY STEPHANIE VELEZ

Search estate sales, thrift shops, and vintage sales for secondhand vases you can mix and match. Clear glass options are an understated option for asymmetrical wildflower arrangements, while a collection of traditional blue-and-white patterned vases becomes a statement display for monochrome white flowers.

18 of 25

Build a Beverage Station

water jugs with mint and lemon — Photo by Branco Prata

Adding a station for iced tea, lemonade, and water as your guests enter your ceremony is the kind of welcoming personal touch that makes your wedding even more memorable. Upgrade glass canisters by creating outdoor-inspired display stands from reclaimed wood.

19 of 25

Hand-Tie Aisle Arrangements

Chair Aisle Décor — Photo by Caroline Yoon

If an aisle lined with overflowing, growing-inspired arrangements isn’t in your financial plan, opt for delicate hand-tied collections of wildflowers and foraged foliage. When secured to wooden chairs, the understated bundles add lush color to your ceremony space.

20 of 25

Use Candles and Greenery

a welcome wedding sign decorated with candles and greenery — Photo by Branco Prata

While wooden or metal lanterns filled with twinkling candles add a cozy after-dark glow to your big day, pillar candles in clear vases create the same atmosphere for a fraction of the cost. Combine them with greenery to decorate your welcome sign, define your dance floor, or flank your photo booth.

21 of 25

Create a Horizontal Escort Display

If you love the look of escort cards mounted on a dramatic backdrop–but don’t have the funds for a high-end rental—recreate that aesthetic with a tabletop display. Place tented cards over ribbons that run across a patterned tablecloth, while using rocks gathered from the local landscape to protect the cards from an errant breeze.

22 of 25

Choose Single Blooms

bud vase centerpiece — Photo by Kristin Sweeting

The natural beauty of varied blooms in individual bud vases gives this centerpiece a curated—not formal—feel. The careful arrangement of vessels in different heights and colors makes a collection of upcycled bottles and vases look elegant and intentional.

23 of 25

Serve Premade Signature Cocktails

five light pink drinks with cucumber and raspberry garnishes — Photo by Birds of a Feather Photography

Want to save money on alcohol? Consider serving premade signature cocktails instead of a fully stocked open bar. The drinks can even double as a pretty décor element if lined up at the bar for guests to grab at their leisure.

24 of 25

Create a Picnic Setting

four individuals sitting outside having a wedding reception picnic — Photo by Beyond Jade

If you only plan to host a couple of people for your wedding, avoid paying for chair and table rentals and create a beautiful picnic setting everyone will enjoy. You'll still be able to decorate your tablescape as you would for any large event, just at a much lower price point.

25 of 25

Incorporate Tropical Leaves

At a wedding venue surrounded by tropical landscaping, solitary leaves displaying the handwritten name of each table bring subtle color to the wood-and-white tablescapes, while letting the nearby gardens remain the highlight of the design.

The Average Cost of Wedding Decorations, From Centerpieces and Signage to Table Linens