Your Guide to Planning the Perfect Garden Party Wedding

Photo Credit: Jordan Vaughn Photography

Many couples dream of having a garden party wedding. There’s something special about sunlight, fresh flowers and stunning natural views. They set the scene for an intimate, laid-back vibe you don’t get at formal, indoor events. If this sounds like your ideal celebration, here are practical ways to make your dream garden wedding a reality.

What Defines a Garden Party Wedding?

A garden party wedding is a romantic celebration held outdoors, usually in a lush garden or courtyard. It features elegant, romantic, whimsical or “Bridgerton”-style elements, such as pastel colors, light fabrics and floral prints. It’s where traditional wedding elements blend with the organic and intimate vibe of a sophisticated event held in a natural setting.

Couples who opt for an outdoor wedding enjoy amazing benefits, such as natural light, a laid-back vibe and a picturesque backdrop for both the ceremony and reception. Nature is basically free decor, only requiring minimal additions.

10 Tips for Creating the Garden Party Wedding of Your Dreams

Hosting a garden celebration requires special preparations. Here are some tips to make your big day outdoors memorable.

1. Choose the Right Flowers

Floral decorations are a must-have for every garden wedding. Work with a local florist who sources their flowers near your venue to get the prettiest blooms. Depending on your budget, you may go for large installations, like an archway or a flower wall, or detailed centerpieces on every surface. While any flowers will fit the theme, roses and peonies are classic, timeless choices.

2. Prioritize Guest Comfort

Keeping your guests cool and sweat-free is a top priority. Ensuring everyone is comfortable regardless of the weather is key to a stress-free celebration. Offer parasols or sunglasses for a sunny day, or designate a corner for blankets or pashminas on a winter day. Include a small note on your invitation or wedding website suggesting appropriate footwear for walking on grass or uneven terrain.

3. Find a Beautiful Venue

The venue is the heart of your garden celebration. Opt for a venue with naturally stunning landscapes, like Spruce Mountain Ranch — a 450-acre mountain venue in Colorado offering several location options. Grace’s Chapel is ideal if you want to tie the knot beneath a willow tree. The Colorado Room and Ames Patio are ideal for smaller crowds and perfect for intimate conversations.

4. Design With Nature in Mind

Remember to enhance, not overpower, the natural beauty of your venue. Use existing trees, flower beds and architectural features as the backdrop and add enhancements like garlands and billowing draping. Wooden or clay flowers can be a nice touch for table centerpieces because they are more durable and everlasting than live blooms. Lastly, embrace natural light, as it’s key for Instagram-worthy photos.

5. Feature a Fresh, Seasonal Menu

The food and drinks served at your wedding should complement the setting — fresh, vibrant and elegant. Work with a caterer who can design a menu that feels light and celebratory. A farm-to-table approach featuring locally sourced, seasonal ingredients harmonizes perfectly with nature. For instance, if hosting a spring wedding, choose vibrant ingredients like kale, carrots and strawberries.

6. Have a Plan B

No one wants a sudden rain shower to put a damper on their outdoor celebration. Having a backup plan makes it easier for you, your vendors and guests to roll with the punches in the event of bad weather or power failure. Think about having an indoor or covered space lined up and make sure everyone knows what to expect. Extra preparation can give you peace of mind and help your big day go off without a hitch.

7. Suggest the Right Dress Code

A garden party wedding is the perfect opportunity to have fun with patterns and colors. No matter what level of formality you decide on, you can ask guests to choose floral prints and springtime colors. Men can wear earth-toned suits and colorful ties. For an outdoor ceremony, you may even encourage guests to wear hats for a Kentucky derby inspired vibe.

8. Think About Timing

Have you considered hosting your wedding in the morning or early afternoon? Garden party may be the perfect theme for daytime weddings. The light, bright color scheme and classy aesthetic work well with an earlier ceremony and a relaxed reception. You could serve a brunch buffet or have a tea party with finger sandwiches. Strings musicians or a harpist would be the cherry on top for your sophisticated daytime event.

9. Hire Vendors That Work Well Outdoors

Not all wedding vendors know how to handle the challenges of an outdoor wedding. When finalizing your list of suppliers, ask each prospect whether they have experience and the equipment needed. Photographers should have samples showing how they handle natural and changing light. Your caterer must know how to properly handle and serve food effectively. Talk to your DJ about their power and setup requirements to ensure it will work in your venue without issue.

10. Choose Unique Reception Activities

A garden party calls for classic lawn games like croquet or cornhole. If you do choose a daytime reception, these games can be the perfect substitute for a dancefloor. Just be sure to advise guests to wear shoes that will hold up on grass. You will also want to have plenty of seating in shaded areas for guests to sit and chat. At the end of the night, you can set up a fire pit where you and your loved ones can enjoy s’mores and whisky.

Happy Planning

A garden party wedding is a beautiful way to celebrate your love in an intimate, relaxed and elegant way. The theme is the perfect balance of nature and sophistication, with so much opportunity to get creative with the decor, menu and entertainment.

Author bio: Cora Gold is a wedding writer and editor of Revivalist magazine. She aims to inspire couples to achieve the wedding of their dreams. Connect with Cora on LinkedIn, Pinterest and Twitter.