Welcome to Part 1 of my Park Wedding Planning Series! If you’re new here — hi, I’m Kelsey! As a former DIY bride who designed and planned her own backyard wedding, and a current planner/day-of coordinator who has supported multiple park weddings, I’ve learned exactly what works, what doesn’t, and what most couples don’t realize they need to prepare for.
A park wedding can be absolutely magical — budget-friendly, low-key, nature-filled, and incredibly meaningful. But it also comes with quirks… like unpredictable weather, limited control over your surroundings, and some logistic puzzles you don’t face at traditional venues.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to plan a park wedding ceremony, from permits to seating to sound to accessibility — all with my best DIY tips woven in.
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Choosing a Location for Your Park Wedding Ceremony
First things first, choosing your park wedding ceremony location! Before you book anything or apply for permits, take at least one dedicated visit to the park you’re considering for your wedding and walk through potential ceremony locations.
Look for areas that are:
- Tucked away, not in the middle of a high-traffic space
- Near parking, so your guests and coordinator aren’t hauling items hundreds of yards
- Flat and accessible, especially for elderly guests
- Visually pleasing, since this is your backdrop for photos
Pro Tip: If you love a spot that’s a little off the beaten path (i.e. not right next to a lodge, pavilion, or parking area, PIN IT! Once you choose a location, drop a pin on your phone so you can share it with your guests, photographer, officiant, coordinator or setup crew. Trust me — this will eliminate SO much confusion on the wedding day.
Next, let’s talk about securing your park wedding ceremony space!
Rules and Permits for a Park Wedding Ceremony
Do you need a permit for a park wedding?
Yes. Unless it’s going to be just the two of you and an officiant under a tree, most parks require a special use or private rental permit. Especially if you want to reserve a specific area, bring in chairs, set up an arch, or guarantee your ceremony spot won’t already be occupied.
How do you apply for a park wedding permit?
This is dependant on a few factors:
- the type of park: is it county, state, or national?
- the location: is it a specific lodge, pavilion, or structure, such as a pergala or fountain?
To find out, get onto the park’s website and search for “wedding” or “event permit.” The park will provide specific instructions for what you need to do. And, in most cases, if you’re planning on using a lodge or pavilion, the park will have a dedicated booking website to secure your date (and any permits needed).
How much does a park wedding cost?
Overall, a park is one of the most budget-friendly wedding venues, especially for couples prioritizing simplicity. Even with the added logistics, vendors, and decor, a park wedding ceremony is an incredibly affordable option for couples on a budget.
Here’s the basic wedding budget breakdown.
- Park permit ($0–$300, depending on location, and the only required cost)
- Optional Additions (all recommended, but flexible to your budget):
- Portable sound system ($40–$150)
- Décor, signage, and seating (completely flexible to fit your budget)
- Shelter/lodge rental ($75–$1,500, depending on size and location)
- Setup team ($100–$1,000, depending on complexity of setup / hours)
Park Wedding Ceremony Décor & Supplies
Next, let’s talk about your park wedding ceremony decor, supplies, and how the heck you get it all transported, unloaded, and set up!
Because, whether you’re planning a small, intimate park wedding ceremony, or a larger celebration, anything you plan to use (chairs, arbor, floral pieces, signage) must ALL be carried in and carried out on the same day.
Before you panic though… don’t worry, I’ve got solutions!
Park Wedding Ceremony Decor Ideas (that are easy to transport)
When in doubt: Less is more in a natural setting. Keep your park wedding ceremony decor simple, lightweight, and wind-friendly!
Here are a few pieces I found work really well for a simple setup like the one above (that I helped setup for this Homemade Events wedding).
- Simple, collapsible metal arch
- LED lanterns
- Faux floral swags
- Sheer swag (zip tie it to the frame for added security)
- Lightweight throw rug (to define space, and ground your arch)
- White plastic folding chairs or benches
Outdoor wedding decor made easy! I’ve rounded up all of these park-friendly wedding decorations, and more, on my Amazon Storefront for you.
Transporting Your Park Wedding Supplies
Next, let’s talk about how to pack and transport everything to and from your park wedding ceremony location.
#1 | Invest in collapsible wagons
I fit all of the above into a single collapsible wagon, and it made hauling the supplies from my vehicle to the ceremony site a whole heck of a lot easier.
- For a larger ceremony set-up, grab a few!
- For a ceremony + reception, see hack #2!
#2 | Rent a U-Haul for larger setups
Unlike a traditional wedding venue, nothing can be delivered or stored ahead of time. My solution to this challenge is to rent a U-Haul for the weekend. It’s usually under $100 all in, and will allow you to pack all your supplies up the day before, haul it over the morning of, and then pack-up and return it the following day.
#3 | Hire a setup crew
Last, but certainly not least, do yourself a favor and hire a setup crew. Whether you’re planning a small or larger wedding ceremony, having a dedicated setup and teardown crew will remove stress from you and your family, and ensure everything gets placed correctly while you’re getting ready.
Park Wedding Ceremony Sound Setup
Sound is one of the most overlooked parts of planning a park wedding ceremony.
Parks don’t come with built-in sound systems, and sound disappears into open air faster than you’d expect.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A portable speaker and microphone
- A fully charged battery
- A playlist downloaded for offline use
Load all your ceremony songs into one playlist so your officiant isn’t jumping between folders. Test it the day before — ideally outside so you can confirm volume levels.
Learn more about DIYing your wedding music in my complete guide!
Seating & Accessibility
The goal? Keep things simple without sacrificing guest comfort.
You do not need full rows of chairs for every guest.
Great options include:
- A few folding chairs for elderly guests or those with mobility needs
- Standing ceremony (for short ceremonies, this works beautifully)
- Using existing tables/benches if your ceremony is at a shelter
Anything that reduces what you need to cart in = a win.
Guest Directions, Signage & Navigation
Make it impossible for guests to get lost! Parks usually don’t have an exact “street address” for the specific ceremony spot, so you need to guide your guests a little more intentionally.
I recommend:
- Adding a printed map with your invitations
- Adding the map and the pinned location to your wedding website
- Using inexpensive stacked directional signs (Amazon!) along the walking path
Your guests will thank you — and so will your photographer.
Photography Tips
Make the most of your natural backdrop. Parks offer stunning photo opportunities, but they cover a lot of ground. Share your ceremony pin and the park map with your photographer ahead of time so they can:
- Scout lighting
- Pick ideal portrait locations
- Plan the timing of family photos
- Account for walking distances
This will save SO much time on the day-of.
If you’re struggling to find affordable wedding photography, I break it down in this complete guide!
Getting Ready
If you’re not doing a first look, you’ll need a way to arrive separately and stay hidden until your ceremony begins.
For this park wedding I planned at the Grand View Lodge in Rochester, we setup a simple pipe and drape partition to block off the bride and her crew from guests and her groom.
Other options include:
- Waiting in a car
- Using a pop-up tent with side-walls tucked away from your ceremony
- Using a nearby indoor space
In either case, assign a coordinator or helper to signal when to walk in. This is one of those logistics that seems small… until you’re trying to hide in a parking lot wearing a wedding dress.
Weather Planning for a Park Wedding Ceremony
This is the part most couples underestimate, the weather! If you’re having any outdoor component, you absolutely need a backup weather plan. Nature is unpredictable — and you don’t want to be scrambling the morning of your wedding.
Light rain backup option:
Bulk umbrellas for guests are a fun and practical solution only for drizzle-level weather.
But for anything more? You’ll want indoor coverage. Trust me.
Good weather plan options:
- Lodge or shelter you’ve rented
- A tent — if the park allows it
- A blank-slate indoor space nearby, such as a studio space or community center
Park Wedding Planning Part 2
Planning a wedding in a park can feel overwhelming — but it truly doesn’t have to be. With a little scouting, a good sound setup, a weather plan, and smart transport tools, you can have a ceremony that’s gorgeous, affordable, and totally you.
Found this helpful? This is just the beginning of my Park Wedding Planning Series.
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