Search thousands of topics on CostHelper

BROWSE ALL TOPICS >> babies & children  cars  consumer electronics health & personal care home & garden personal finance  pets  schools small business sports weddings
CostHelper > Weddings  > Outdoor Wedding

Outdoor Wedding Cost


How Much Does an Outdoor Wedding Cost?

 
low costLow: $500-$2,500+average costMedium: $5,000-$10,000+high costHigh: $10,000-$50,000+
Typical costs:
  • The cost of an outdoor wedding depends on many of the same factors as an indoor wedding -- the number of guests, the size of the wedding party and the choice of the wedding dress ($200-$5,000+), groom's tuxedo or suit ($50-$1,500+), flowers ($700 average for a traditional wedding), wedding officiant or minister ($50-$400+), marriage license ($10-$100+) and more. A simple outdoor wedding can be less expensive than a traditional indoor wedding, but an elaborate outdoor wedding with many guests can be as expensive or cost even more than an indoor wedding because of the potential need to rent chairs, tables, tents, a dance floor, portable restrooms and more.
  • A simple ceremony and reception in a private backyard, on private land owned by family or friends of the bride and groom or in a public park can start at $500-$2,500 (possibly with a "pot-luck" reception menu for the least expensive weddings) but can cost $5,000-$10,000 or more, depending on what is included. Renting chairs can cost $2-$8 or more per chair, and there may be a minimum charge of $50-$125 or more including delivery and set-up. A simple metal wedding arch that can be decorated with fabric and flowers can cost $20-$130 or more; a larger and sturdier wooden trellis or arbor typically costs $100-$400 or more; and renting a wedding arch can cost $35-$500, depending on size, materials and number of columns or posts. Renting an outdoor dance floor typically costs about $300 for 100 guests. Renting portable restrooms can range from $100-$175 for a standard non-flushing Porta-Potty, to $1,000-$4,500 for a deluxe restroom trailer with multiple stalls.
  • A large outdoor wedding and catered reception with all the flourishes of a traditional indoor wedding -- multiple bridesmaids and groomsmen, live music, extensive floral arrangements, etc. -- at a hotel, resort or similar facility can cost $10,000-$50,000 or more, depending on what is included.
  • An increasing number of couples are opting for a destination wedding, with the ceremony and the honeymoon slated for the same exotic locale. Destination weddings often feature an outdoor ceremony, and can cost $8,000-$40,000 or more, depending on the length of the couple's stay, what's included in the wedding, the number of guests and if the resort is all-inclusive (all meals and activities included in the lodging price).
Related articles: Beach Wedding, Destination Wedding, Wedding Chapel or Site, Wedding Reception Venue, Wedding Planner, Honeymoon

What should be included:
  • Have a backup plan in case it rains, plan for wind (tell the bride's hairstylist that it will be an outdoor ceremony) and make sure everyone will be able to hear the ceremony. Outdoor weddings can be beautiful and appealing, but they can also require thinking about every little detail and they don't always go smoothly. Examiner.com lists the pros and cons[1] of on outdoor wedding.
Additional costs:
  • Most public parks require a permit for a wedding and reception, and fees vary from free to $25-$600 or more depending on local regulations, the length of time the park will be used, amenities available and whether that area is closed or open to the public during the wedding. For example, Audubon Park[2] in New Orleans has fees of $125-$550 per day for its three shelters with water and electricity. The city of Pacific Grove, CA, charges a $300 fee ($200 weekdays) for every two hours in its gazebo in tree-lined Jewell Park. And the permit fee for New York City's Central Park[3] is $400 for just a ceremony (receptions are prohibited) with no chairs, rugs, runners, tents or throwing of rice allowed.
  • Hiring a wedding planner to coordinate the details can cost $1,500-$10,000 or more, depending on what's included, but averages about $2,600-$3,600.
  • If the bride, groom and guests all live far from the outdoor wedding site, travel expenses will add to the total cost of the wedding. Actual expenses will vary significantly depending on the distance traveled and whether people are driving or flying.
Discounts:
  • A local church, school, senior center or civic group may loan folding chairs, large vases or more in exchange for a small donation, which is typically cheaper than renting needed items. OutdoorWeddingGuide.com lists tips for saving money on an outdoor wedding.
Shopping for an outdoor wedding:
  • TheKnot.com provides an outdoor wedding planning guide[4] and Brides magazine posts a photo gallery of outdoor wedding ideas[5] .
  • Search for a wedding planner through the Association of Bridal Consultants[6] .
post Post   Comments (2)  
CostHelper News


7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013


7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013

‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts


What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Wedding planning
Amount: $100.00
Posted by: Gina Santiago in North Pole, AK.Posted: January 8th, 2020 03:01PM
Location of Wedding: North Pole AkNumber of Guests: 25
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
wedding
Amount: $885.00
Posted by: angelaaron in aiken, SC.Posted: July 4th, 2014 03:07PM
Location of Wedding: outdoorNumber of Guests: 35
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam


 

Comment On Your Experience With an Outdoor Wedding
 
Subject:  *
Amount Spent:  *
Location of Wedding: Number of Guests: 
Comments: 
Purchased:  Year: 
City:  * State:  *
 
Information about you:
Email:  * Email addresses are not displayed.
Name:  This is the name we'll display with your post.
me on this computer
*=required field.
 



External Resources:
  1.  www.examiner.com/article/the-pros-and-cons-of-an-outdoor-wedding
  2.  www.auduboninstitute.org/visit/audubon-park
  3.  www.centralparknyc.org/visit/general-info/weddings/
  4.  wedding.theknot.com/wedding-themes/outdoor-weddings/articles/outdoor-wedding-plann...
  5.  www.brides.com/wedding-ideas/Venues/outdoor-wedding-venues/index/index_20110225
  6.  www.bridalassn.com/mMemberListing.aspx
More Weddings Topics
Check Out All Costs for Weddings How Much Does a Wedding Photographer Cost? How Much Does an Open Bar Cost? How Much Do Wedding Flowers Cost?

Search Thousands of Topics on CostHelper.com

 
Today's Featured Cost Articles

About CostHelper
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit
Paid: 147.00
Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
-nervouschomper
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Cost
Spanish Medical Interpreter
Paid: 150.00
I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
-Gregory Richardson
Interpreter Cost
Dat
Paid: 495.00
This is how much I am paying... [more]
-Calista Christian
Dental Admission Test Cost
Shingrix
Paid: 48.00
... [more]
-Not that BB
Shingles Vaccine Cost
Skin prick allergy test
Paid: 573.00
Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]
-D’s mom
Allergy Testing Cost
Estimate for Teeth Cleaning Cat
Paid: 0.00
13 year old cat …teeth extractions, X-rays, blood work, anesthetic, cleaning estimate 2 to 3 thousand... [more]
-Terrimarie
Cat Teeth Cleaning Cost