We might be a little biased, but garden weddings would have to be our favourite kind of celebration!
Garden weddings are super romantic and always create a magical atmosphere for any wedding. Plus, being able to take advantage of stunning natural backdrops means you don’t need to go overboard with additional styling, and your wedding photos are guaranteed to be stunning.
With over 10 acres of lush garden surrounds here at Coolibah Downs, we’ve seen our fair share of romantic garden weddings. If you’re currently looking to host a garden wedding here on the Gold Coast hinterland, keep reading for our top tips to help you plan the perfect garden-inspired celebration.
Garden wedding ceremony tips
To create a beautiful garden ceremony, location is everything! Find yourself a secluded garden pocket with a lush natural backdrop. You might want to choose a location with a statement backdrop feature such as our love tree or garden gazebo.
You’ll also want to think about choosing a garden ceremony location with shaded areas for guests, particularly if your wedding is taking place during the sunnier months.
One of the biggest benefits of hosting a garden ceremony is that you can keep your styling simple and let your surroundings do the talking! We love crisp white or natural timber furniture when it comes to garden ceremony seating. You also can’t go wrong with a floral-filled arbour for the perfect garden ceremony statement piece!
Images 1-3: Figtree Pictures / Image 4: Ethereal Photography / Image 5: Ephemeral Creative
Garden wedding cocktail hour tips
Make the most out of your garden setting by creating a fun outdoor cocktail hour for guests to enjoy. Take advantage of any grassy areas by setting up lawn games like finska, boule or croquet. You’ll also want to provide some scattered seating to keep your guests comfortable – consider some cafe tables and chairs, high bars and stools, or even a sofa setting or two.
Market umbrellas are another great addition for a garden cocktail hour to provide shade for your guests. And for entertainment, an acoustic musician is the ultimate addition for those relaxed garden party vibes!
Images via Pineapple Images
Garden wedding reception tips
If you’re dreaming about a garden wedding taking place under the stars, there are a few things you’ll need to think about to keep the evening running smoothly. One of the most important elements for a garden reception is lighting – consider rigging some fairy lights or festoons and lining your tables with candles to create a soft, romantic feel.
You’ll also want to ensure you have a wet weather backup plan in case of rain. Here at Coolibah Downs, our silk-lined marquee is the perfect plan B! You might want to give your guests a heads up on your invitations to let them know your wedding is taking place outdoors, so they can plan their footwear accordingly.
To style your garden wedding reception, think about creating contrast against all of that gorgeous green. Crisp whites, earthy timbers, soft pastels and bold pops of vibrant colour all work perfectly for a garden wedding.
To continue with the garden theme, you can also incorporate floral details into your signage, cake and stationery, decorate your tables with foliage table runners, or add a sprig of greenery into each place setting.
Image 1: Black Palm Collective / Image 2: Daniel Chafer Photography / Image 3: Ephemeral Creative / Image 4: Luke Middlemiss Photography
Here at Coolibah Downs, we’ve helped hundreds of happy couples bring their garden weddings to life at our picturesque private estate on the Gold Coast hinterland. Book in for a site tour to visit our grounds in person, or get in touch for a copy of our latest wedding packages. For more garden wedding inspiration, check out our latest real weddings on the blog!
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