If you're reading this a congratulations are in order, you're getting married! But now it's time to get into the nitty gritty of the planning and you're stuck. With all the different decor options choosing how to surround yourself on your special day can feel like a daunting task, but what if you let nature cover down on the decor? Here are 5 reasons an outdoor ceremony with minimal decor makes for the perfect whimsical wedding day.
1.) You want the WHIMSY darling...
I'm going to lead with the obvious here, it just doesn't get more whimsical than getting married in the woods. This particular wedding happened in front of a small waterfall. You could see the water droplets reflecting the 2pm sunlight as it trickled down around the bride and groom, while Brandi jumped with excitement as they said their vows. It's the ultimate romantic moment to have your closest friends and family celebrate, plus the occasional bird chime in to sing love songs on your special day. If you want to feel like a bit of an ethereal being for the day, a woodland marriage is it for you my friend.
2.) You want something budget friendly, that looks like a million bucks...
As I write this it is 2025, in my best dreams you're reading this in the near future and things aren't so dicey that this needs to fall on the list but for now, here we stand. Going minimal with(or opting out of) your decor is the most budget friendly option you can choose, without looking like it. Outdoor spaces are abundant in natural beauty, you don't need to add decor because nature itself is gorgeous. Being surrounded by greenery, water, rolling dunes, sweeping sands is the hack to looking like royalty on a budget. These spaces look expensive, because expensive spaces are truly trying to copycat the natural beauty. Plus as a Taurus sun, I'm an earth sign and love finding the beauty in nature and using it to turn your day into an artful gallery you'll cherish forever.
3.) Guest Experience
Because walking into a room that has been done up to the nines with florals, arches, candles, and place settings is stunning. Breathtaking really, and that feels intimidating. Guests are more relaxed at the outdoor weddings where they feel integrated into the environment rather than as though they're walking through a museum. If your goal is to have a space where your guests feel free to let loose this is the way to go. Brandi and Steven were surrounded by so many people who love them on this day, you could see and feel it everywhere you turned. Capturing their guests in the moment was important to them, and me as I saw just how present everyone was for them. At then end of the day your wedding guests are there to celebrate WITH you, not observe a performance.
4.) Focus on the Feelings
Which brings me perfectly to point number four, you deserve to enjoy this day. Your wedding day shouldn't be one of stress, and many times extra decor and props become just that, more stress. It's more decisions to make leading up to the day, more prep the day before, and then after the wedding you're stuck with hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of items that you no longer need. Foregoing all of that lets you focus on the feelings and be in the moment more throughout the entire wedding and honeymoon phase instead of buying, prepping, and destashing.
5.) Timeless and Intentional
And finally, nature is timeless. You won't have to look back in a few decades and wish you wouldn't have chosen something trendy in the moment. The photos you have will age like fine wine, and you won't find yourself saying "well that's just what was in back then" when you're reminiscing later on down the road. The pieces of decor you do choose will feel entirely intentional because they aren't buried in one thousand other pieces of decor that don't mean anything but were needed to fill an indoor space.
Whatever type of wedding you're planning, I hope it turns out to be everything you want it to be. If you're getting married in Indiana and in need of a photographer who can capture the beauty of the world around you mixed with the emotions that a wedding day brings, I'd love to see if I'm a good match. Contact me for inquires via my website or social media links below.