Having an outdoor wedding is one of the most beautiful ways to kick off married life together. These stunning outdoor wedding ideas on a budget are sure to inspire you.

You’re out in nature, with all of your loved ones, and celebrating the start of something new.

Of course beautiful outdoor weddings are popular! That said, they can also be pretty expensive. If you’re on a budget and looking for some great outdoor wedding ideas, you’re in the right place.

Read on for thirty-one beautiful outdoor wedding ideas on a budget.

1. Floating Candle Centerpieces

Source: @kylemichelleweddingsandevents

Weddings typically use a lot of glassware for the décor, especially when they’re outside. Take this vintage candle centerpiece, for example.

One of the best ways to save a bit of cash is to thrift this glassware for yourself! This also creates a rustic, relaxed look that’s great for outdoor occasions.

2. Paper Lanterns

Source: @a.simple.planner

Spicing up the ceiling of your outdoor marquee is as simple as investing in a few paper lanterns like these. Grab a series of lanterns in your wedding colors and string them up high.

This non-traditional wedding idea immediately helps a marquee feel more special, but it won’t cost an arm and a leg to do.

3. Macrame Backdrop

Source: @creameryhill

One of the major appeals of an outdoor wedding is how easy it is to create a stunning backdrop for your wedding photos. Just add something fun and on-theme into the foreground.

For example, this macrame wall is the perfect vibe for a backyard wedding. If you have the time, you can even make it yourself!

You’ll also want to see these stunning boho wedding ideas.

4. Pampas Grass Arch

Source: @lifesabouttheparty

Mark out the top of your aisle and create a great backdrop for your wedding photos with a simple hoop. This classic wedding idea is a great choice for outdoor weddings, because it lets the scenery shine through.

Make one on your own or rent one for an affordable decorative option.

5. Plant Pot Seating Chart

Source: @100_layercake

Doing a wedding on a budget doesn’t have to mean giving up your creative flair. These adorable seat finders are a great way to add a bit of whimsy to an outdoor theme on a budget.

All you need for this seating chart idea is a series of terracotta pots, some small plants to put in them, and the seat cards to help direct your guests.

6. Flavored Water Station

Source: @cullen_creations

Lean into the outdoor summer feel with a rustic refreshments bar that encourages guests to self-serve.

Not only does this reduce the amount of money you have to pay for wedding staff, but it also plays right into the outdoor theme.

7. Windowpane Seating Chart

Source: @thejesspress_

Looking for a unique way to help your guests find their tables? Thrift a couple of old windows and give them new life with a coat of paint to use as your seating chart.

This is a sweet, rustic way to lean into your wedding’s theme without blowing the budget. Apart from some paint, all you’ll need is a white marker like this to write on the glass.

8. Beer Bottle Centerpieces

Source: @everencephotography

I will always be a fan of using thrifted glassware and old vintage bottles as vases in outdoor weddings. It’s such a great way to be more sustainable, honor the environment, and look beautiful.

It’s even better if you’re able to decorate the venue with flowers similar to the ones in your chosen outdoor venue. Wildflowers are a must!

9. Hydrangea Bushes

Source: @endlesssummerhydrangeas

Designate your reception space with a rented marquee to help transition from ceremony mode to party mode. This is an easy way to give guests a relaxing space to enjoy their meal.

It also means you only have to pay for one venue, rather than hiring a second spot for your reception.

10. Picket Fence Entrance

Source: @arianabphoto

There’s nothing wrong with a backyard wedding! It can be such a special way to celebrate your new union in the place you call home. All you need are a few smart décor choices.

Start by picking out your ceremony chairs, which can immediately transform one section of your backyard into a ceremony space.

11. Backyard Bar

Source: @gabbyhphoto

Looking for an easy way to give your guests their refreshments? An outdoor self-serve bar is the way to go. Stock up an old lectern or outdoor bar counter, and prop up a chalkboard with the drinks menu.

Not only is this cost-effective, but it also helps to create a relaxed atmosphere that will get the party started.

12. Ladder Shelf for Bubbly

Source: @locatetocreate

Here’s a sweet, cost-effective way to make sure your guests get their champagne! Turn an old wooden ladder into a makeshift champagne tower, complete with a little sign at the top.

This is undoubtedly a great way to welcome your guests into the venue when you’re getting married outdoors.

13. Booze Bath

Source: @locatetocreate

Keep it super casual and rustic with an old metal bath to use for your canned booze! If you’re leaning into the backyard feel, this is the hack for you.

This is a quick and easy way to let guests grab a drink, and it plays right into the rustic feel. Plus, old metal baths are super cheap and easy to source.

14. Mimosa Station

Source: @storybookendingevents

Having a morning wedding? Let guests still get their fix with a custom mimosa station! While this might sound expensive, all you need is a few bottles of prosecco and some fruit juice options.

Dispensers like these are the perfect way to turn this into a self-serve setup with a little bit of class.

15. Flower Petal Paper Cones

Source: @mixbridalboutique

When you’re doing your recession, rather than enduring rice thrown at you or spending a ton of money on confetti, why not use dried flowers?

Served in newspaper cones to your guests, dried flowers are a beautiful way to lean into the outdoor theme. If you’re dedicated, you can even dry the flowers yourself before the big day.

16. Pink Table Setting

Source: @letspartychica

Keep your backyard reception simple and sweet to lay the ground for a great party. The key is to use community-style tables with your wedding colors to help everything feel a little more special.

If you like, opt in with some eye-catching vintage glass vases like these to display duplicates of your own wedding bouquet.

17. Coastal Colors

Source: @weddingpr

Speaking of family-style tables, they’re the perfect choice for an outdoor wedding! They let everyone sit and eat together as a community, and you only need to decorate one big table.

Go simple with your place settings and put all your energy into the table runner to create a photo-worthy set-up that won’t break the bank.

18. Fairy Lights

Source: @rusticweddingchic

Fairy lights are the ultimate way to add a little bit of magic to your outdoor wedding. Make your guests feel like they’re dining under the stars, and lean into the whimsy with this cost-effective option!

You can even find fairy lights blended with fake foliage – like this – to make your venue look even more special.

19. Painted Pallet

Source: @rosaliaflopez

There are wooden pallets left on the side of the road for pickup all the time. Who knew they could be a centerpiece for your wedding?

Give an old wooden pallet a new paint job to prominently display your wedding’s schedule for your guests. This cute wedding idea is also a great photo opportunity. Two birds with one stone!

20. Bench Swing

Source: @rusticweddingchic

If you’re leaning into a rustic feel for your outdoor wedding, what better photo opportunity than an outdoor seat swing? This is a simple, whimsical, warm way to show your individuality.

Not only that, but it’s easy to help the photo feel inviting when you have a beautiful natural backdrop.

21. Sandal Basket

Source: @letterbcalligraphy

Heading to the beach for your big day? Make sure your guests are well-equipped for the sand with a bin of flip flops in your wedding colors! This is a cute, practical wedding favor your guests will love.

Not only that, but it’s super cost-effective and delightfully on-theme.

22. Log Aisle Decor

Source: @maureenrussellphotography

Try choosing floral arrangements that can be used for a variety of different spots in your wedding. For example, these arrangements can both line the aisle and act as a table centerpiece.

This is a great way to save some money while leaning into a sustainable wedding plan.

23. Pampas Backdrop

Source: @__amoredecor

Create a simple way to mark out your ceremony space with a stunning backdrop! A rented arch with drapes and dried flowers is the perfect background for your ceremony photos.

A simple arch like this is an ideal way to do a backyard wedding on a budget that still feels really special.

24. Memory Frame

Source: @createandcrafttv

Personalize your wedding with a clothesline frame of different photos from special moments in your lives! This is an ideal way to celebrate your guests with a small, intimate guest list.

After all, a wedding isn’t just the joining of people, it’s the creation of a new family. You can easily make this yourself with some wire, wooden clothespins, and a gilt frame like this.

25. Rustic Dessert Stack

Source: @jessijo_photography

Backyard weddings are one of the best places for a small, rustic cake to take center stage. While indoor weddings are well-known for towering masterpieces, that might feel a bit out of place here!

Instead, give your guests the gift of an at-home, warm feeling as you serve them a simple cake of your favorite flavor.

You can even offer other desserts like donuts at the same time for a casual alternative.

26. Pallet of Donuts

Source: @catermeplease

Speaking of donuts, here’s an ingenious way to have your guests swooning over the dessert setup without breaking the bank. Enter: the donut wall!

All you need is a collection of donuts iced in your wedding colors hung on mounted dowels for easy grabbing. This is a budget-friendly showstopper.

27. Barrel Bar

Source: @saratogadraughthorse

Set up the bar of your dreams with two wooden barrels and an old wooden countertop propped up outside. A couple of floral touches and a vintage lamp or two will quickly transform this space.

Make sure to post the drinks menu somewhere prominent and let your guests have at it!

28. Floating Candle Walkway

Source: @stylebylaurenmarie

This is one of the simplest, sweetest, and most cost-effective ways to make your ceremony aisle feel a little more special. Suspend lit tea lights in tall vases of water for an ethereal feel.

Not only is this easy to do yourself, but it’s also fire safe thanks to the plentiful presence of water near the lit candles.

29. Vintage Glassware

Source: @encoreeventsrentals

When it comes to your outdoor table settings, don’t be afraid to lean into the vintage vibe with vintage plates and chunky glassware.

A simple dried flower garnish on the crockery is enough to tie the whole theme together!

30. Sunscreen and Bug spray Box

Source: @rusticweddingchic

When your guests are hitting the outdoor scene, it pays to help them stay sun safe! A sweet, caring, and practical touch to any outdoor wedding is to include a box of sunscreen and bug repellent.

Your guests will appreciate the thought, and this is a super budget-friendly little addition.

31. Wildflower Bouquet

Source: @jessiclarephoto

Finally, nothing says ‘whimsical outdoor wedding’ like a hand-picked bouquet the day of the wedding.

Not only is the bouquet extra special because you picked it yourself, but even the act of picking offers a wonderful photo opportunity to include in your wedding album.

Grab some simple bouquet wrap here to complete the effect, and you’re good to go.