6 Unique Ideas for Outdoor Wedding Venues

6 Unique Outdoor Wedding Venues to Consider for Your Big Day

When envisioning your dream wedding, how do you imagine your surroundings? If you’ve always been drawn to outdoor wedding venues, you might assume that your options are limited to having an outdoor ceremony in a garden or park, or maybe on a farm or beach, or even in your own backyard. However, the array of outdoor wedding venue options go far beyond just these basics.

Here are six unique outdoor wedding venues ideas, from the dramatic and over-the-top to the smaller, budget-friendly options suitable for an intimate ceremony, for example, if you’re planning a micro wedding.

Creative But Affordable Outdoor Wedding Venues

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a backyard wedding. Backyard weddings can be incredibly beautiful while also remaining budget-friendly. However, if you really want something a bit more dramatic or unique while avoiding breaking your wedding budget into pieces, here are some other creative outdoor venues for weddings to consider.

1. National Parks

For a stunning backdrop at a small price, consider hosting an intimate wedding in a national park. You’ll need to purchase a special event permit for a minimal fee — likely only a few hundred dollars, potentially saving you thousands compared to a traditional indoor space like a hotel ballroom.

2. Mountaintops

Okay, hear us out here. For the real outdoorsy couple, it’s totally possible to host your wedding ceremony atop a modest mountain.

Typically, this option is best for those who want a micro wedding with just a handful of wedding guests or only the wedding party present since space is limited (and not all guests will be comfortable with the idea). After holding your ceremony at this breathtaking vista, follow it with a cocktail hour and reception elsewhere — indoors or out — where more guests can join.

There are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind to pull off a mountaintop wedding:

1. Ensure your officiant, photographer, and selected guests are okay with a bit of a hike (you can actually find photographers and officiants specializing in this kind of wedding).
2. Identify a moderately easy trail that leads up to a relatively private and scenic viewpoint.
3. Plan to get dressed in your wedding day attire at the summit (so you don’t dirty or sweat-log your dresses and/or tuxes).
4. Maybe also have your makeup artist along (or have a to-go makeup kit) for any freshen-ups needed once you reach the destination.

The best part? You’ll pay absolutely nothing for this oh-so-affordable wedding venue.

3.  Boats

Many small boating operators offer their vessels for hosting weddings. While you might not be able to invite 100 of your favorite people on board, most small weddings will find there’s enough space for all guests.

Plus, unlike a national park or similar outdoor wedding venue, many boats used for this purpose have indoor and outdoor spaces, so you can play around with staging your event in various spots. For example, host the ceremony on the top deck, then move below deck for a cocktail hour as the dance floor is rolled out on the top deck for the reception.

More Pricey Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Venues

If you want to splurge a bit on your beautiful wedding and don’t mind potentially paying top dollar for an outdoor space, consider one of these elaborate wedding ideas for outside.

1. Unique Agricultural Spaces

The rustic wedding theme is still quite popular, meaning that choosing a barn as your reception space or ceremony space has become pretty mainstream.

If you want something a little more unusual, try a more unique agricultural space, such as:

• Wineries and vineyards
• Flower farms
• Botanical gardens
• Animal farms such as goat farms or alpaca farms (bonus: your guests will have a great time interacting with them!)

Better yet, choose a space that personally resonates with you and your spouse-to-be, such as a farm specializing in a product you both love.

2. Ski Slopes

For the avid skier, a resort or chalet wedding is a no-brainer, but why not take things a step further and actually hold your ceremony on the ski slopes?

While this option will require your witnesses, officiant, and photographer to at least know how to ski or be able to ride a gondola up to your ceremony spot and back down again, it’s definitely an experience no one will forget.

After you’ve said your “I do’s,” you can get out of the cold and host your reception in one of the ski resort’s indoor spaces.

3. Cruise Ships

Like the idea of a boat-set wedding, but want something even bigger and grander? Plan a cruise ship event, which will also give off the vibe of a destination wedding.

Many cruise ships offer full wedding packages, with a choice of outdoor venues right on the vessel, so you can bundle your wedding costs into one flat fee. The cruise line will often throw in a representative to help you with the wedding planning, too — these packages include everything from floral arrangements to the wedding cake.

Also, Consider Mixed Indoor-Outdoor Wedding Venues

As you mull outdoor wedding ideas, remember that your event doesn’t need to be all or nothing. As alluded to in some of the ideas above, you can have an outdoor ceremony and host your reception indoors or vice versa. Or, only hold a small portion of your wedding outdoors, such as the cocktail hour.

Plus, if you opt for a mixed indoor-outdoor wedding, you’ll have the added bonus of indoor space in case of inclement weather.

Things to Keep in Mind for Any Outdoor Wedding

Before you lock in any wedding ideas that will take place outside, keep in mind these important points:

• Always have a backup plan in case of bad weather.
• Provide shade for your guests during any summer events.
• Consider a morning or evening wedding to take advantage of the best outdoor lighting.
• Ensure your guests have access to restrooms, even if that means renting multiple higher-end portable options.
• Consider guests’ mobility (for example, if it’s crucial that your grandma is present for the vows, you may want to avoid any ceremony space that requires walking over an uneven surface).
• Ensure your décor and any wedding activities do not damage the natural environment.

In many cases, enlisting the help of a wedding planner can guarantee that your outdoor wedding goes off without a hitch. They have experience with these sorts of events and can foresee potential problems before they arise.

Outdoor Wedding Venues FAQs

What Are Some of the Wedding Venues Outdoor Events Work Best With?

For a spectacular outdoor wedding, look to a venue that frequently hosts such events. Many traditional wedding venues, including museums, historic homes, farms, resorts, and more, have outdoor spaces available.

What Are Some of the Wedding Ideas Outside Venues Will Fit Best?

Consider an outside wedding if you and your partner both love the outdoors or outdoor activities or if you have a wedding theme that pairs well with the outdoors, such as a rustic, woodsy, fairytale, or garden party theme.

How Can You Make a Backyard Wedding Feel Fancier?

First and foremost, consider picking the right backyard. You don’t have to use your own! Home rentals can be a great option for this purpose. Find a yard already outfitted with beautiful, lush gardens, string lights, and similar features, and you’ll have automatic decor.

What Kind of Equipment Do You Need for an Outdoor Wedding?

At a bare minimum, you’ll want to ensure you have the proper audio equipment, lighting, restrooms, and appropriate ceremony and reception seating.

What Is the Best Time for an Outdoor Wedding?

Spring and fall are beautiful times of year for outdoor events. However, avoid months with extreme temperatures, such as November through March or July and August.

Is Your Outdoor Wedding Venue Fully Protected?

Whatever wedding venue you choose, whether outside or in, make sure it’s covered by proper insurance. Many venues will require you to purchase event insurance ahead of booking your big day, and even if yours does not, you may be interested in learning how certain policies can protect your financial investment in the event of cancellations, venue damages, and more.

Learn more about wedding liability insurance and wedding cancellation insurance and why it can give you the ultimate peace of mind. Plus, with companies like BriteCo, it’s more affordable than you think.

Get your quick, free quote from BriteCo now.

Also Check:

How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost
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How to Cancel a Wedding — A Helpful Step-by-Step Guide
Is a Wedding Planner Worth It?
How Much Is a Wedding License?
Tips to Have a Safe Outdoor Wedding & Avoid Risks
The Most Unique Wedding Venues
How to Choose a Wedding Venue

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