Planning a Garden Wedding

An increasingly popular trend is the outdoor garden wedding. To plan the perfect garden wedding, everything should center on the garden theme.

Decorations for a Garden Wedding

For the reception, choose large round tables that seat eight to ten people. Add a large outdoor umbrella in a pastel color such as lavender or pink. Cover the table with layered linens, mixing whites, pastels and prints. China should be kept simple, perhaps white or offwhite with a floral motif.

Centerpieces should be vibrant. Consider purchasing potted flowering plants and decorating the clay pots with acrylic paints and ribbons. Or you can fill simple vases with flowers that are ideal for a garden wedding, such as hydrangeas, hyacinths, orchids or daisies.

An alternative to a floral centerpiece is the edible centerpiece. A large straw hat can be turned over and filled with colorful fruits such as apples, oranges, pomegranate, mangos and even lemons. Fill in the empty space between the fruit with tissue paper and greenery to fill out the centerpiece.

Food for a Garden Wedding

Since many garden weddings are held in the afternoon, keep the food simple. Fancy tea sandwiches, fruit salads, pasta salads and anything else cool and light. For drinks, serve lemonade, wine spritzers or consider a signature drink such as the peach bellini. For dessert, skip the traditional wedding cake and build a cake with a pyramid of frosted cupcakes instead.

Music for a Garden Wedding

A harpist or flutist will provide the perfect musical accompaniment to your romantic, outdoor ceremony. For the reception, choose a jazz ensemble or big band group.

Favors for a Garden Wedding

Eco-friendly wedding favors such as seed packets, plant bulbs and potted plants are nice ideas for a garden wedding. You can also choose just about any other wedding favor that includes elements of a garden theme, such as flowers and leaves.

Attire for a Garden Wedding

Brides can choose anything from a traditional wedding gown to something a little more casual. A strapless sheath gown in a light fabric is a good choice for an outdoor wedding.

Some brides are turning to short wedding dresses for outdoor weddings, ranging from tea length to even mini skirts.

If you are a guest at a garden wedding, wear a colorful dress but nothing too bold to take away from the attention on the bride. A simple pastel dress and a pair of strappy sandals is always a good choice