13 Ideas for Outdoor Weddings on a Budget Without Sacrificing Your Dream Colorado Celebration
Photography credit: Hillary Shedd Photography
Are you searching for ideas for outdoor weddings on a budget? Colorado is one of the most beautiful places for an outdoor wedding. With its breathtaking mountain ranges, stunning lakes, and fields of wildflowers, it's no wonder so many couples choose to tie the knot here. If you want to have a beautiful celebration without breaking the bank, there are plenty of outdoor wedding decoration ideas on a budget and venues with small fees. Keep reading to learn our favorite ideas for an outdoor wedding on a budget in Colorado.
13 Ideas for Outdoor Weddings on a Budget in Colorado
Planning an outdoor wedding doesn’t mean sacrificing your vision for your special day. There are tons of ways to minimize costs while ensuring your wedding is everything you’ve dreamed of. At Mountainside Events, we’re dedicated to helping couples plan stunning weddings within their means. Here are some of our favorite outdoor wedding ideas on a budget!
1. Have Your Wedding in a Public Park
Having your wedding in a public park is an affordable way to have a stunning outdoor wedding. Many public parks in Colorado have breathtaking views and are available to rent for weddings at a reasonable price. Some parks even have beautiful gardens, water features, gazebos, and other amenities that make them perfect for weddings. From the famous Rocky Mountain National Park to outdoor wedding venues in Northern Colorado, like Lory State Park and Horsetooth Reservoir, there’s no shortage of inexpensive places to tie the knot.
2. Choose a Weekday or Off-Season Date
Choosing a weekday or off-season date for your wedding can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Many venues offer significant discounts for weddings booked on weekdays or during the off-season. Not only will you save money, but you'll also have an easier time scheduling vendors. Most weddings in Colorado happen between June and September, so consider an early spring or late fall wedding to minimize costs.
3. Use Natural Decor
The cost of wedding decor can go as high as $20,000 to outfit your ceremony and reception. But one of the best things about outdoor weddings is the natural backdrop. You don't need to spend a lot of money on decor when the beauty of nature is all around you. Use the natural surroundings as your outdoor wedding decoration ideas on a budget and add a few accents to tie everything together. Wildflowers, tree branches, and stones can all be used to create a stunning natural decor.
4. Host a Food Truck Reception
While a plated, sit-down dinner could cost you a fortune, especially if you have a lot of guests, a food truck reception is a fun and affordable alternative. You also have a host of options to choose from if you go this route, from a wood-fired pizza company on wheels to a taco food truck. Learn more about why this is one of our favorite ideas for outdoor weddings on a budget.
5. Rent a Wedding Tent
Renting a wedding tent instead of booking a traditional indoor/outdoor wedding venue can provide shelter from the elements and create a beautiful ambiance for your outdoor wedding. Tents come in all shapes and sizes, and there are many affordable options available. You can also decorate your tent to match your wedding theme and color scheme.
6. Choose a Public Beach for Your Ceremony
If you're looking for a beautiful and inexpensive location for your outdoor wedding, a public beach is a great option. Many Colorado lakes and reservoirs have public beaches that can be rented for weddings. With the water as your backdrop, you'll have a stunning ceremony location. For outdoor wedding venues in Northern Colorado that are perfect for the adventurous couple, consider Lake Isabelle in Indian Peaks Wilderness, Point Park - Grand Lake, CO, and Brainard Lake - Ward, CO.
7. Use DIY Centerpieces
Centerpieces can be a significant expense for weddings, ranging from $50 to $500 per table. Making your centerpieces can save you a lot of money. Use items like mason jars, candles, and wildflowers to create beautiful and affordable centerpieces.
8. Hire a Local Musician
Live music adds a special touch to any wedding celebration. Hiring a local musician is an affordable way to have live music at your wedding. You can find local musicians on websites like The Bash or through referrals from friends or family.
9. Have a Dessert Bar Instead of a Cake
Wedding cakes can be costly, with most couples spending around $500 for a traditional cake. A dessert bar is a fun and affordable alternative. You can have a variety of desserts like cupcakes, cookies, and pies at your reception. This is also a great way to include your favorite family recipes. (If you love the cake-cutting tradition, consider a small cake for you and your spouse and a dessert bar for everyone else!)
10. Choose a Public Garden for Your Ceremony
Public gardens are another great option for outdoor weddings in Colorado. Many public gardens have beautiful flower displays and natural beauty that make them perfect for weddings. You can often rent public garden spaces for a reasonable price. For example, Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms is one of our favorite Denver wedding venues!
11. Serve a Signature Cocktail
Serving a signature cocktail instead of a full bar is a cost-effective way to provide drinks for your guests. You can choose a signature cocktail that matches your wedding theme or serve your favorite drinks.
12. Send Online Invitations
Paper invitations can be costly and time-consuming to send. Using online invitations or creating your own can save you a lot of money. There are plenty of online invitation websites like Evite that offer beautiful and affordable options.
13. Choose Budget-Friendly Wedding Favors
While wedding favors aren’t necessary, they can be a nice touch. If you want to keep the tradition of wedding favors alive, there are affordable and easy ways to do so! Read our 10 favorite wedding favor ideas that won’t break the bank.
We Plan Stunning Outdoor Weddings in Colorado for Every Budget
At Mountainside Events, we know how important your wedding day is––and we also understand you have a set amount you can spend on your dream celebration. Our team does our best to make your vision a reality within your budget, from helping you choose from outdoor wedding venues in Northern Colorado to picking outdoor wedding decoration ideas on a budget. We also offer all-inclusive elopement and micro-wedding packages for small, affordable outdoor weddings in Colorado. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help plan your wedding without sacrificing your dream celebration!