Good morning! Now, it’s been a wee while since I’ve posted on here, so apologies! It is with good reason due to a busy wedding season and my first official year as Blonde Army. I’ve taken the past few months to review the year and figure out how to move forward in the best way to help you guys. The blog will be taking on a small revamp as I want it to be the best source of inspiration, education and advice. So stay tuned for the new year! Until then, I have some great inspiration for anyone considering having your reception in your own garden or grounds. The laws are possibly changing soon,  so you may be able to host your whole wedding in the privacy of your own grounds. And as an advocate for your wedding, your way you know I’m  right behind this choice. So enjoy this guest post with some great advice on how to make your garden wedding unforgettable. 

Real Wedding E+B, Image by Victoria Phipps

The average UK wedding now costs £30,355, according to Bridebook’s 2018 National Wedding Survey. The Independent took a closer look and found that some couples still feel pressured to spend a lot on their big day to include everything they feel they need to, rather than pairing it back with simpler choices, but still maintaining the luxury of the day. The great thing about weddings and the many suppliers available today is how easily your day can be personalised and moved away from tradition.

A garden wedding has become a popular choice nowadays, with more and more couples looking for a different way to celebrate their special day. If you need some ideas on how to make your own garden wedding extra memorable, here are some things you can try:

DIY your decorations

They say planning a wedding, apart from travelling or assembling a piece of flat pack furniture is one of the surest ways to test a relationship. Yet, it’s also one of the best ways to connect with your partner and enjoy the planning process. After the wedding, you can look back at all the struggles that went into decorating your venue with all your favourite things. You can also ask for the help of friends and family to make it a journey to remember. HGTV lists easy DIY wedding decors that include paper bunting and wire wrapped signs. You don’t need to spend a fortune to turn your garden into a beautiful wedding venue.  

Real Wedding E+B, Image by Victoria Phipps

Invest in a good wedding DJ

You’ll have no doubt saved some money by hosting your wedding in your garden and so you can ensure your budget is spent on the details that matter most to you both. Every wedding prides itself on a good party so investing some of your wedding funds on a good DJ is advised. Music is a great way to make a gathering memorable. Blonde Army has a list of ways to maximise your DJ, which includes giving them as much guidance as you can. It’s vital that they know exactly what kind of music you want to hear (or DON’T want) on your wedding day. It’s also important that you trust that they can do their job on the day.

Pay attention to the details

If you do decide to have a garden wedding, then a useful tip is to make sure your garden is in full bloom before your wedding day. Ask for professional help when it comes to lawn maintenance. Have a professional “groom” your garden, too. You might need to replant a few flowers or pull out some weeds. Any garden fixtures like a pergola, fountain, and fire pit need to be cleaned and repaired, all of these should be done several weeks before the big day.

Keep styling to a minimum

Your garden, once groomed, is the perfect backdrop for your wedding. You will not need to overstyle it so your budget is available for other elements and areas you want to spend out on. Let nature and any existing features be the focus points and form the basis of the aesthetic.

Real Wedding E+B, Image by Victoria Phipps

  Lighting choices to make an impact

As well as mapping out where everything will go, you need to consider how you’re going to light the whole venue, especially if you’re letting the celebration continue until late evening. Outdoor lighting ideas include low-arbour with string lights, steel lanterns you can put on the ground or hang on DIY vines, and cluster lighting that you can hang on low-reaching branches. You can add vintage lights or go more futuristic with smart lights you can control through your phone. The smart home gadgets list on Screwfix shows the wide range of lights that can be linked to a Wi-Fi enabled device. This is perfect if you want to be able to control the mood at your reception dinner—from full-on bright party lights or an intimate twinkle. Don’t underestimate the impact of lighting which can all help to make your garden wedding unforgettable.

Images by Victoria Phipps from real couple E+B Wedding. Blonde Army was booked only 2 weeks before E+B’s wedding and planned and executed The Final Month Plan. To view the full portfolio click here. 

If you would like any inspiration or assistance in planning your wedding then check out the full services I provide here.