Big weddings can be expensive and at times very overwhelming. Unfortunately, during wedding planning, our stress levels rise and this can even carry over to the day itself. Between guest lists, vendors, and venues, you have your work cut out for you! How can you have a casual wedding? How do you make it simple and stress-free?
We’ve put together some casual wedding ideas for you to realize your perfect day with ease! A casual wedding can come in many forms, so it’s down to how you and the new spouse want the day to be.
Outdoor Wedding
Having your wedding in the great outdoors allows you to have a casual setting with scenic views as the perfect backdrop for when you say ‘I Do.’ Many parks offer their grounds for a small contribution fee, or you can do a beach wedding. You’ll have the sounds of the ocean as the soothing music for your ceremony. This option is casual as you’re not organizing a big ballroom or hotel setup. But you’re held to the weather not acting up. Maybe look into having umbrellas or a tent for the occasion, in case it starts to rain.
Backyard Wedding
If you’re blessed with a large lovely backyard, you can have a casual, simple wedding with everyone feeling at home. Some people opt to hire a company that rents marquees specifically for weddings, which include flooring and lighting to enhance the look of your backyard. Otherwise, you could pick an option such as a backyard BBQ; a relaxed atmosphere that allows you creative freedom with the décor you want! If your backyard has space, why not string up some lights, have homemade food, or have a few lawn games? A wedding at your house may create a more intimate and homey atmosphere where it’s more manageable to greet all your guests.
Single Location
It’s becoming quite common for ceremonies and receptions to be held in the same location, and in doing so, you’re already making things easier for yourself. Not only does this eliminate transport logistics, but you only need to deal with one venue! Many times venues will have their own catering and bakery that they’re partners with, which makes the whole wedding more budget-friendly. By eliminating the stress of having to find other vendors and venues, both you and your guests can relax and flow seamlessly from the ceremony to the reception. When choosing your location, make sure to choose one that you’d love to be in for all your wedding photos. Since you’re staying in one place for the day, it’ll be the only background for all your images.
Being Tough on the Guest List
Narrowing down your guest list is a task we all fear in case of upsetting family members. Do you have to invite that cousin you haven’t seen or spoken to in five years? Are plus-ones a must? The answer to both is no. This is your special day and whoever you choose to invite is the right option! If you’re thinking ‘How many people should I invite to my wedding?’ or if you’re having trouble narrowing it down, look through your phone and see who you’ve spoken to in the last three months. These are the people actively involved in your life! By narrowing it down to micro-gathering for your big day, you’ll have a lot less stress, allowing some tranquility in a normally busy time. A note to think of as well is that the fewer people, the more cost-effective the day will be when it comes to catering and having enough drinks for everyone.
Relaxed Reaction
For many, the reception is when they let loose and relax. Help those wearing high heels or uncomfortable shoes to enjoy themselves by providing sandals or slip-on shoes they can change into once the dancing has started. Keep the casual feeling going by switching a grand cake for donuts or cupcakes. This way each guest gets their own dessert that they can enjoy at any time, and you don’t have to do the whole cake-cutting ceremony if you don’t want to.
Intimate & Comfortable Seating Plan
If you want to achieve that casual wedding, why not try one long picnic table? This brings a more intimate feel that will have everyone in attendance involved and feel special! Alternatively, you can try a classic U-shaped table where everyone can see and interact with each other at ease. This is a great icebreaker for guests who may not know one another.
Repurpose Décor
Repurposing décor from your ceremony to the reception keeps things simple. Once you’ve finished the ceremony, you could repurpose this décor for the reception in only a few short minutes! For example, if you have flowers lining the aisle you walk down, try using this afterward as a centerpiece for the table. You can do the same with any candles or lanterns you have to decorate the space.
Choose a Food Truck or Potluck
The joy of having a simple wedding is having a lot more artistic license with what you can do. This even comes down to the menu you want to present! Look at a variety of food trucks to come to your location and leave your guests to choose what they’re in the mood for! Or, for a more homey experience, if you’ve only invited a few of your dearest and nearest, we suggest a potluck meal! Each guest brings a dish of their choosing and sets up a buffet! Not only is this a cost-effective method, but it gets everyone involved in being a part of your special day!
Communicate with Your Vendors
It can be hard to get all of your vendors on the same page. Luckily, there are a few tips that can help. If you’re having your wedding in a particular venue, contact them and ask what vendors other brides are using that week in the hotel. Many companies offer discounts if they’re already hosting a wedding there, because it allows them to leave the decorations up, only costing you a fraction of the price! Rather than using multiple vendors, you could also try and source vendors that provide a multitude of the services you are looking for. Not only does this save you time, but it’ll also greatly help your budget!
Bridesmaids Choice
Many formal weddings have bridesmaids in identical dresses, shoes, hair, and makeup. A way to relax the wedding might be to allow the bridesmaids to dress how they want to look. This allows for a more casual feel on the day and in the photos afterward. Having a casual wedding is as much about having an informal space as it is about making people feel relaxed in what they’re wearing.
Marry Now, Party Later!
You can’t get more casual than having a small wedding at the courthouse. It’ll just be you and your soon-to-be spouse focusing on each other as an officiant declares you married! Keep it casual, quick, and inexpensive by having close family and friends witness your “I Dos” at the local courthouse. Afterward, if you want, you can host a bigger event and invite all those whom you know and love. This option gives you the ability to start a married life and save for the wedding reception you’ll love.
Weddings can be hectic and stressful to plan, but choosing a more relaxed wedding can take away some of the struggle. We hope to have provided a few ideas to help make the process a little easier for you. If you have any advice or tips that might be helpful to others about how to achieve the ultimate casual wedding experience, please let us know in the comments below!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in February 2021 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Lucy is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork, Ireland. Originally from America, she is now settled in Ireland with her husband and Corgi-mix puppy Dug (yes, like from Disney’s UP!). It’s the simple things in life that matter, so give her a bag of M&M’s and she’s happy. She loves to relax with a good book, cozy up on the couch for a movie, or go to the park for a stroll with the family.
Never thought of a food truck or two