Outdoor Wedding Ideas – 12 Top Tips for a Summer Wedding

Décor & Flowers

If the last week of brilliant sunshine in Ireland has you seriously considering having your wedding outdoors, check out these deadly outdoor wedding ideas that we’re sure will tip the balance in nature’s favour!

1. Stretch your Tent

extreme-structures

extreme-structures2

Think outside the box when it comes to an outdoor wedding cover up, if you don’t want to go for a marquee, try a tipi or stretch tent instead. Extreme Structures, which are based in Dublin, have some really awesome and unusual tent options for couples looking to stage a wedding outdoors – Photo by Extreme Structures

2. Display your Drinks 

drink-dispensers

alternative_outdoor_wedding_ideas_drinks_basin

beer_barrel_outdoor_Wedding_ideas_ireland

Hopefully the sun will be beating down for your outdoor wedding, and if it is your guests will be needing some extra hydration! Pop your bottled beers or sealed juices into a wheelbarrow full of ice for a seriously laid back feel, or display your fresh fruit cocktails in pretty Kilner drinks dispensers and let guests help themselves! – Beer in wheelbarrow photo by Eden Photography | Drinks in basin photo by Moat Hill Photography | Fruit juice dispenser photo by Lily & Bramwell

PSST! Kilner 5L Drinks Dispensers can be purchased from Woodies Ireland while stocks last.

3. Indulge in some Outdoor Photobooth Fun

outdoor_photobooth_frame_Wedding_dkphoto

Don’t let the DIY photo booth intimidate you, it’s really rather easy to set up a cute and colourful frame for guests to have some fun with. This works just as good indoors as out, but having it outside means not having to worry about lighting etc – so everyone can snap away and share the photos later! Photo by DKPHOTO

PSST! Make sure to pick up your photo booth kit props from the weddingsonline shop!

4. Let Guests Choose where to Sit for the Ceremony

pick_seat_not_side_sign_ireland_weddingsonline

Nowadays guests tend not to strictly adhere to the tradition of the bride’s family on one side and the groom’s on the other but in case they need some encouragement to get into the relaxed and casual atmosphere of an outdoor wedding ceremony, this little sign at the end of the aisle should do the trick! ‘Pick a Seat not a Side’ Sign from the weddingsonline shop

5. Get on your Dancing Shoes

flip-flop-basket-wedding-ideas-dancing-shoes

outdoor_wedding_ideas_sparklers_flip_flops_umbrellas

The flip flop basket is a great idea to help guests get off their heels and on to the dance floor but it’s a super idea for outdoor weddings. Have a couple of baskets dotted around for guests to help themselves when they feel their Karen Millens have had enough, and pop some umbrellas down too incase of a shower. Other items like fans or pashminas will be welcomed for outdoor ceremonies. Dancing Shoes photo by Michelle Prunty | Photo of flip flops, umbrellas and sparklers by Moat Hill Photography

6. Encourage Guests to Document the Day

if_you_instagram_signs_weddingsonline_shop

Natural light means even dodgy phone photos will look great so embrace the brave new world and offer your guests a hashtag to record the day on social media. – Instagram wedding signs from the weddingsonline shop

7. Light up the Night

gatsby-real-wedding-dkphoto-liss-ard-30

pam-paul-wedding-trudder-lodge-sparklers-first-dance

Make it magical by placing beautiful fairy lights on the entrance to your marquee or invite your guests to light up your first dance outdoors with some sparklers. Photo of bride and groom by DKPHOTO | Photo of guests with sparklers by Moat Hill Photogaphy

8. Set the Tone with some Festival Style Invites

festival_style_ticket_Wedding_invitation_ireland_appleberry

We love these cute ticket style invites from Appleberry Press.

9. Forget Dinner – Serve a Light Summer Supper

wedding-canapes-outdoors

cucumber_carrot_roll_clean_eating_wedding_food

individual_salad_canapes_wedding_slate

If you’re opting for a super casual summer outdoor wedding, a sit down dinner might not suit. But this doesn’t mean your wedding food won’t be unforgettable! Serve up a light buffet supper that’s perfect for guests to nibble on as they chat or play and keep your dishes light and tasty – think fresh Vietnamese style summer rolls, individual salads or Mediterranean inspired finger food. Find the perfect caterer to pull it all off in the weddingsonline supplier directory. Photo by Monica Hadarean Photography via Destination Wedding in Barcelona

10. Get the Right Wine

wine_glass_display_outdoor_Wedding

The food and drink is all important at an outdoor wedding and the right wine is imperative. Make sure you’re serving your guests the best of the best by getting somebody who knows what they’re doing to take care of it all for you. There are a few super wine specialists on the weddingsonline directory at the moment who can supply delicious high quality wines from around the world at great prices such as Wines DirectPhoto by Monica Hadarean Photography 

11. Or… Get Seriously Casual with a Post-Ceremony Drinks Reception

gatsby-real-wedding-dkphoto-liss-ard-20

ice-cream-vans-rockfield-ice-cream-4

If fine wine dining ain’t your thing it’s not a problem, outdoor weddings lend themselves equally well to party food delivered straight from a van. Set a relaxed tone post-ceremony by serving coffee from the car boot, or watch guests’ faces light up when they hear the sweet music from an ice cream van. Evening food can receive the festival touch too with some post-boogie noms from The Chip Van – genius! Photo of coffee stop from DKPHOTO | Ice cream van from Rockfield Ice Cream, Ireland

12. Bring your Game Face

outdoor_wedding_ideas_games_jenga

outdoor_Wedding_ideas_games_table_tennis

Outdoor weddings cry out for fun communal games to use up the great outdoor space. Croquet, ping pong, or a game of giant jenga are great options, and are guaranteed to get guests mingling and having fun in the sun! Jenga photo by Moat Hill Photography | Ping pong photo by Eden Photography