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Outdoor wedding inspiration for your post-pandemic ceremony

Everything you need for a beautiful alfresco wedding

outdoor wedding inspiration
Chloe Best
Lifestyle Features Editor
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After thousands of weddings were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, many couples have been choosing smaller ceremonies in their back garden. 

RELATED: Garden weddings are the biggest 2022 trend – 6 vital things you need to consider

From beautiful outdoor decorations to bridal accessories and must-have lighting, here are a few ideas to help you plan a low-key, intimate wedding at home…

WATCH: Get inspiration from these beautiful celebrity weddings

Celebrity brides including Kim Kardashian and Hailey Bieber have all rocked personalised bridal jackets on their wedding day, and there's never been a better excuse to buy one than when hosting an outdoor ceremony or reception. This custom denim jacket is an ideal lighter alternative to leather for a summer wedding.

Personalised Painted Calligraphy Bridal Denim Jacket

Personalised painted calligraphy bridal denim jacket, £135, Sadie Sadie at NotOnTheHighStreet

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READ: 'My DIY wedding day cost just £6k - here's how'

MORE: The most Googled celebrity wedding dress has been revealed – and it might surprise you

Ensure you can continue your wedding celebrations after dark with this LED string lighting, which will look beautiful hung over the dining table for your outdoor reception.

led lights

LED solar lantern chain, £29, NotOnTheHighStreet

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Whether you're getting married in your back garden or a lavish venue, a wedding arch helps to provide a focal point for your ceremony, and will provide a beautiful backdrop to your wedding photos.

Ginger Ray copper wedding arch

Ginger Ray copper wedding arch, £64.99, Amazon

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Decorate your arch with some beautiful wisteria to make your day picture-perfect. Artificial displays are often more affordable than fresh flowers and they can be used again in your home afterwards.

wisteria

Artificial wisteria vine, £7.59, Amazon

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Set the scene with this rustic hessian 'Just Married' banner, a must-have wedding accessory that looks far more expensive than £6.

Just Married hessian banner

Just Married hessian banner, £6.45, Etsy

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The British weather can be unpredictable, so a pack of umbrellas are important to have on hand should you experience a downpour on your big day.

Amazon wedding umbrella

4 pack clear dome umbrellas, £15.69, Amazon

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MORE: 18 amazing websites to buy wedding dresses online: ASOS, Net-A-Porter, Revolve, eBay and more

Just as you may experience rain on your wedding day, you may also find that your guests get a little chilly at your reception. This cute sign, reading 'To have and to hold in case you get cold', can be propped up next to a basket of blankets ready for your guests to use.

To Have and to hold sign

To Have and To Hold sign, £12, Amazon

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Offer guests shelter from rain or sun with a gazebo - it's the perfect spot to put your umbrellas or suncream if necessary.

gazebo

Gazebo, £234.99, Amazon

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Welcome your guests to your outdoor ceremony with these beautiful custom signs, featuring your choice of message and order of the day, which will also be a special keepsake you'll treasure long after the big day is over.

Pair Of Personalised Cotton Welcome Wedding Signs notonthehighstreet

Pair of personalised cotton welcome wedding signs, £250, Smith & The Magpie at NotOnTheHighStreet

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Create a beautiful and romantic outdoor wedding setup with this LED lights curtain, which could be hung on a wall or draped over a pergola as pictured here.

Amazon LED curtain lights

LED curtain lights, £22.99, Amazon

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Especially relevant to anyone who's had to postpone their wedding during the coronavirus lockdown, this fabric sign is a reminder of everything you've been through to reach your special day.

Etsy wedding delay sign

Lockdown wedding sign, £12.99, Etsy

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SEE: The celebs (and royals) who married during the pandemic

READ: Planning a 2022 wedding? Here's everything you need to think about

While rain is always possible during a British summer wedding, so too is beautiful sunny weather. Put these paper hand fans on your guests' chairs to allow them to keep their cool throughout your ceremony, they're sure to be very grateful!

Amazon paper hand fan

Droptel 10 x paper hand fan, £8.99, Amazon

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Perfect to put at the entrance to your wedding, this illustrated wedding order of the day sign is an easy way to let your guests know what to expect and when.

Wedding Timeline Order Of Day Board notonthehighstreet

Wedding timeline order of the day board, £110, Love Paper Co at NotOnTheHighStreet

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No party is complete without balloons, and these are a giant 36-inches. They will look amazing as photo props or as an eye-catching background to any display.

wedding balloons

Giant Mr & Mrs Balloons, £12.50, NotOnTheHighStreet

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Candles are a beautiful finishing touch to any wedding decor, especially as the sun starts to go down. Remove the stress of a fire risk or messy melting wax by using these battery-powered LED candles that mimic a real flame. 

LED candles

Battery LED Candles, £19.99, lights4fun

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For a magical end to the night, provide guests with sparklers for your send-off. Make them extra special with these 'Let Love Sparkle' tags from Etsy, which can be personalised with your name the colour of your choice. Super cute.

sparklers

Personalised Wedding Sparkler Tags, £9.99, Etsy

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READ: 4 outdated wedding traditions brides and grooms are ditching in 2022

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