Tips for Garden Weddings

A garden wedding can feel elegant and effortless — the setting does most of the work. Keep the design simple and tasteful, and these details carry the rest.

Setting the Scene

Frame the ceremony with an ivy-covered trellis, and let fresh garden flowers do the work as table centerpieces rather than elaborate arrangements. A bird bath makes a lovely decorative touch even if it never draws a single bird, and releasing butterflies adds a beautiful, symbolic moment to the ceremony itself. For evening weddings, string fairy lights through trees and shrubs, or light pathways with tiki torches — either sets a romantic tone as the sun goes down.

Practical Details

Serve simple garden drinks — lemonade, iced tea, or homemade sangria — and keep food light with fruit, cheese, and bread, or a buffet-style meal that suits the casual mood. A live band fits the setting well and carries beautifully in open air. Plan for the weather: have a backup location or tent canopy ready, keep sunscreen and fans on hand for a hot day, and set out citronella candles or a bug zapper to keep mosquitoes away from the celebration.