Costs to Consider When Planning an Outdoor Wedding

Outdoor weddings are becoming the preference for more and more couples these days.¹ From the beauty of vibrant flowers and towering trees to the serenity of blue skies and radiant sunshine, planning a wedding in the great outdoors comes with ready-made scenery — for free. But everything else required to keep you and your guests comfortable comes with a price. As you consider outdoor wedding venues for your big day, keep in mind all necessary details so you can adjust your wedding plans accordingly and stay within your wedding budget. Here are a few costs to keep in mind when planning an outdoor wedding:

• Permits — Venues that typically host outdoor weddings will already have this covered for you, but if you’re planning a backyard wedding, for example, you’ll need to secure any required permits yourself. Check the county’s website for permit requirements related to parking, noise and fire regulations. Even a wedding held in a public park requires a space permit, which gives the time and guest-count limitations for your gathering.²

• Tent, table and chair rentals — With indoor venues, the tables and chairs typically come with the cost of the venue itself. But with an outdoor wedding, you will most likely need to rent those items separately. On average, most couples spend about $1,000 on wedding rentals.³ A tent is especially helpful in offering your guests shade when it’s hot, warmth when it’s chilly and shelter when it rains. The cost of tent rental varies by size, but the average starting price is $300.⁴

• Food and drink — Whether your wedding is held outdoors or inside, expect catering to be among your big-ticket wedding expenses. But outdoor weddings could incur additional costs, especially if your caterer does not have access to an onsite kitchen. Find out whether you’ll need to pay for additional cooking, heating or refrigeration equipment to keep your food and drinks at the ideal temperature. You might also be responsible for garbage collection and other waste disposal fees after the event, as well.

• Flowers and decorations — You most likely chose your outdoor wedding location based on its picturesque views. But keep in mind that you will still need to foot the bill for added decorative touches like table centerpieces and other décor.

• Power – Depending on the time of day your ceremony is held, lighting could be an issue. The venue you choose could provide the power, but if your location is more remote, you’ll need generators not only for lighting but for the caterer and DJ equipment, as well. Speak to the venue manager and vendors beforehand to make sure you’ll have all the power you need.

• Bathrooms – Mother Nature may provide your outdoor wedding with fresh air and warm breezes, but what it doesn’t provide is a bathroom. If your chosen location doesn’t come with easily accessible restrooms, or not enough to accommodate your number of guests, you’ll need to rent a few. A suggested rule of thumb is one bathroom per 25 guests.⁵ Prices for restroom rentals can range from $300 each for stand-alone stalls to over $2,500 for a restroom trailer.⁶

• Weather-related expenses – It’s good to have a backup plan in place in case of inclement weather. If a tent isn’t already in your wedding plans, consider putting a deposit on one to use in case of an emergency. You might also look into reserving an available indoor facility nearby, as a weather backup plan, too. Other costs to consider are fans, air conditioning, portable outdoor heaters and umbrellas for both rain and sun. Also keep in mind the bugs and other pests that live outdoors. Find out whether the flowers and grasses around your location attract unwanted bugs like mosquitos. If so, you may need to purchase citronella candles or natural pesticides to keep guests bite-free.

These extra expenses of an outdoor wedding can add up quickly and blow your budget before you know it. That’s why it’s important to get the best price possible on each service. Start by getting quotes from several vendors and work with them to negotiate a fair price. That will allow you to fit as many of the extras into your budget as possible to make your outdoor wedding as special and as memorable as it should be.

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