Last updated on March 31st, 2022
Garden wedding cost guide
The cost of weddings in recent years has consistently risen, with the average wedding costing up to an eye-watering £32,000. With venue costs being the most expensive parts of the big day and restrictions on mass gatherings due to Covid-19, it is no surprise garden weddings have been seeing a rise in popularity. In this guide, we’ll look at the possibilities and costs of hosting a wedding in your own garden.
The cost of weddings in recent years has consistently risen, with the average wedding costing up to an eye-watering £32,000. For young couples, a day that is supposed to be one of life’s most memorable is becoming a source of worry and distress. With venue costs being the most expensive parts of the big day and restrictions on mass gatherings due to Covid-19, it is no surprise garden weddings have been seeing a rise in popularity.
Many couples are now considering whether to host their wedding in their own back garden. With the support of suppliers and local tradespeople, you can create a glorious set-up for your big day. Even better, a garden wedding usually costs much less than what you would pay for a venue. Your only cost being the suppliers for the big day and the labour of the tradespeople that you work with to set up your space.
Let’s look at the possibilities and the costs around hiring tradespeople to set up your wedding in your own garden.
Garden wedding costs
You can achieve a modest garden wedding for around £800.
Garden wedding prices vary depending on the needs of the lucky couple. Instead of having to adapt to the limitations of an indoor venue, outdoor space offers the ability to get creative in planning outdoor seating and decor.
Create a beautiful structure for the ceremony
At wedding venues, the outdoor ceremony will take place under a beautiful outdoor structure. This is easily something you could create yourself in your own garden. Even better, you can keep it as a key feature in your garden, and a constant reminder of your magical day.
Pergola
| Cost provided item | Average UK cost |
|---|---|
| Standard pergola | £2,500 |
| Luxury pergola | £10,000 |
| Labour (per day) | £250 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
To have a pergola installed in your garden you can expect the prices to range from around £400 – £6,000. The costs for building a pergola will also vary according to season, location, and materials.
A high-end luxury pergola can cost upwards of £10,000 with a much more complex installation, which will increase the pergola construction cost – potentially as much as £1,000 for labour.
Here’s more about the cost of a pergola in your garden.
Gazebo
| Cost provided item | Average UK cost |
|---|---|
| Standard gazebo | £7,000 |
| Timber wood gazebo | £4,250 |
| Vinyl gazebo | £5,500 |
| Metal gazebo | £8,000 |
| Labour (per day) | £250 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
A gazebo is another great option for your garden wedding. The average cost to build a gazebo from scratch is around £7,000. In general, the larger the gazebo the higher the cost.
There are many different types of gazebo to choose from, so here’s more information on gazebos and their cost.
Outdoor lighting
When the sun sets on your beautiful day, it’s time to keep the party going. Evening food on a barbie or dancing on your lawn, you and your guests will need some outdoor lighting. This can easily be installed by a professional electrician.
The average cost to install a low-voltage exterior light is £165.
Here’s more about installing outdoor lights in your garden.
Hire toilets for your guest
| Cost provided item | Unit | Average UK cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard toilet | Per week | £40 |
| Disabled toilet | Per week | £90 |
| Hot wash toilet | Per week | £60 |
| Delivery to site | Per hire | £60 |
Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now
Whether your home only has one or two toilets inside, or you would prefer your guests to stay outside, then it would be wise to invest in portable toilets.
The average cost to hire a portable toilet is £50. However, do bear in mind some companies will take a little extra as a deposit and some may even require you to agree to hire the toilets for a set time. Some may be a few days, other hire companies a week to two weeks.
Marquee wedding costs
| Low cost | High cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Hire a 4-metre marquee (small) for the day | £640 | £815 |
| Hire a 10-metre marquee (medium) for the day | £1,400 | £2,000 |
| Hire a 15-metre marquee (large) | £2,700 | £3,000 |
A marquee will most likely be an essential piece of equipment for a garden wedding. Marquee wedding cost varies on the number of guests in attendance and if the tent is needed for any other activities. A small one costs around £640 a day to hire.
Marquee wedding ideas
Marquee hire for the day ranges from £640 – £3,000.
Smaller marquees are very affordable and you can arrange them alongside other marquees to cut costs. For example, you could have one small marquee for the ceremony and another small marquee for dining, for less than the cost of hiring an extremely large one. Larger marquees will be more expensive and take longer to put up, yet most are still cheaper than hiring a venue.
Ways to create talking points
We have a couple of suggestions here on how to get your guests mingling and keeping the children chilled.
Barbecue area
If you are having a barbecue at your wedding then why not explore your BBQ area ideas. Make it an inviting place for guests to gather and enjoy good food in great company.
Fire pit
For those Love Island fans out there, gathering around the fire pit will be second nature for conversation. Installing a firepit might be more affordable than you think. Check out the cost to install a fire pit.
Outdoor viewing
Why not set up a projector in your garden? Either show scrolling images of you, the happy couple, or allow the best man to use it during his speech. Maybe even set up an outdoor cinema area for the kids!
Cleaning up the next day
Come the next day when you’re still on a high after a stunning day, don’t let the dread of cleaning up your garden bring you down.
Sure, with the help of family and friends you could speed up the tidying and cleaning process. But by hiring a cleaning company for the next day, you can spend your time reminiscing instead.
By working with a professional cleaning team, they will arrive on-site with all the equipment needed to get your home back to normal.
Find a cleaning specialist near you
FAQs
Is a garden wedding less expensive than an in-venue wedding?
Yes, like for like, a garden wedding is generally much more affordable, even when using larger marquees.
Are wedding marquees easy to assemble?
A professional will be able to set one up within a few hours, depending on the size of the marquee.
What sort of tradesperson would fit a marquee?
A local handyperson, joiner or builder will be able to assemble a marquee without too much hassle.
Can you legally get married in your garden?
The legal parts of your wedding ceremony, such as signing your marriage certificates, must take place in a venue with the appropriate licenses from the local authority. This means that you technically can’t do the entire process in your garden, but you can absolutely do all of the fun stuff like the speeches and walking down the aisle. And there’s nothing stopping you from exchanging vows again in your garden.
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