The first outdoor reception I ever styled had beautiful tall paper lanterns on every table. Twenty minutes before guests sat down, a breeze came off the lake and sent three of them rolling across the lawn like tumbleweeds. I spent the cocktail hour weighing the rest down with river stones from the shore.
Thirty years later, I still love outdoor tables more than any ballroom. There is nothing like a long table under the trees with candlelight coming on as the sun drops. But outdoor decor has to work harder. It has to stay put in the wind and still glow after dark. These nineteen ideas manage both, grouped by the look you want.
Plan for the outdoors first
Weight everything. Use heavy vases, glass hurricanes around candles, and small stones or sand in the bottom of anything light. Tape or tie down runners at the ends.
Think about the sun. Flowers wilt fast in direct sun. Choose hardy blooms, keep arrangements low, and set the tables as late as you can.
Keep bugs away. Avoid very sweet-smelling flowers near food. Potted rosemary, lavender and basil look pretty and help keep insects off.
Have a rain plan. Choose decor that moves easily into a tent or barn. Low arrangements and lanterns travel well; towering pieces do not.
Check the venue rules. Many outdoor venues ban open flames or confetti. LED candles in glass look almost real after dark.
Garden and greenery (ideas 1 to 4)
1. Olive branch garland and beeswax tapers
The table: a long wooden farm table with a loose olive branch garland down the centre, beeswax taper candles in clear glass hurricanes, and plain linen napkins.
Olive leaves do not wilt in the sun and look silvery in the evening light. The hurricanes keep the candles lit in a breeze.
2. Mismatched bud vases with wildflowers
The table: a row of mismatched glass bud vases and old bottles, each with one or two wildflower stems such as cosmos, chamomile and scabiosa, on a white tablecloth.
Cheap and charming. Lots of small vases look generous without the cost of big arrangements.
3. Potted herbs as favours
The table: small terracotta pots of rosemary, thyme and basil lined down the table, each with a handwritten name tag tied with twine.
They decorate the table and then go home with your guests. I love decor that does double duty.
4. Trailing vines on bare wood
The table: a bare wooden table with trailing ivy and fern fronds running down the centre, white ceramic plates and green-stemmed glassware.
The simplest garden look there is. It suits a woodland setting and the soft styling in my whimsical couple photoshoot ideas.
Candlelight and golden hour (ideas 5 to 8)
5. Lantern clusters
The table: clusters of black metal lanterns of different heights holding pillar candles, surrounded by low greenery, on a long table at dusk.
Lanterns are the safest way to use real flame outdoors. Group them in threes and fives so they look collected, not lined up.
6. A branch chandelier over the table
The table: a long natural branch suspended above the table on rope, wrapped in warm fairy lights with a few hanging glass crystals.
Overhead decor frees up table space and creates a ceiling when there is none. It looks lovely once the sun goes down.
7. Tall candelabras
The table: tall brass candelabras with white taper candles placed every few metres down a long table, with low white roses at their base.
Height makes an outdoor table feel grand. Choose heavy bases and drip-free candles, and keep them away from overhanging branches.
8. Gold chargers and amber glass
The table: gold-rimmed charger plates, amber glass tumblers and gold flatware on a cream linen cloth, with low bowls of peach roses.
Amber and gold catch the late-afternoon light and make the whole table glow at golden hour.
Boho and rustic (ideas 9 to 11)
9. Macrame runner with pampas
The table: a cream macrame table runner, low arrangements of dried pampas and bunny tail grass, and terracotta stoneware plates.
Dried flowers are perfect outdoors because they will not wilt. This table pairs naturally with boho wedding dresses and a relaxed ceremony.
10. Tree slices and mason jars
The table: round wood tree slices under mason jars filled with baby’s breath and tea lights, on a burlap runner over a wooden trestle table.
A classic for barns and farms. It fits right in at a barn or ranch wedding.
11. Woven rattan and natural linen
The table: woven rattan placemats, natural linen napkins tied with a sprig of eucalyptus and simple white plates on a bare wood table.
Texture does the decorating here. It is calm, easy to set up and looks great in daylight photos.
Beach and bright (ideas 12 to 14)
12. Driftwood and sea glass
The table: a piece of bleached driftwood down the centre of a table with pale blue linen, scattered sea glass and low white hydrangeas.
Soft blues and natural wood suit a beach reception. Guests dressed in the light colours from my beach wedding guest dresses guide will look perfect against it.
13. Lemons and blue-and-white china
The table: bowls of fresh lemons with their leaves, blue-and-white patterned plates and yellow linen napkins on a white tablecloth.
A bold colour mix inspired by the Amalfi coast. Fruit is heavier than flowers, so it will not blow away.
14. Vintage teapots and mismatched china
The table: antique teapots filled with garden roses and sweet peas, mismatched floral china and lace doilies for a garden tea party table.
Ideal for a daytime reception. Thrift stores are full of teapots, and guests love the details.
Seasonal tables (ideas 15 to 17)
15. Fall harvest
The table: burgundy linen tablecloths, small white and orange pumpkins, amber votive candles and low arrangements of dahlias and dried wheat.
Pumpkins are wind-proof and cheap in autumn. Burgundy linens make the colours of the leaves look even richer.
16. Winter woodland
The table: an evergreen and pine cone garland down a plaid-covered table, chunky white pillar candles in glass, and wool blankets folded on every chair.
Yes, you can marry outdoors in winter. The blankets are as important as the decor. See my winter wedding ideas for more cosy details.
17. Spring pastels
The table: soft pink and lavender linens, low arrangements of ranunculus and tulips in pastel tones, and clear glassware.
Light pastels look fresh in spring sunshine. Keep arrangements low so guests can talk across the table.
Moody and modern (ideas 18 and 19)
18. Dark and dramatic
The table: black linen tablecloths, deep burgundy and plum flowers, black taper candles in brass holders and smoked glassware.
Dark tables look rich and moody outdoors at night. They pair perfectly with gothic wedding dresses and an evening ceremony.
19. Minimalist single stems
The table: a white tablecloth with a row of slim glass vases each holding one white calla lily, and geometric brass candle holders in between.
Clean and modern. Fewer pieces also means fewer things to blow over.
Where I’d start
Choose the group that matches your setting, then pick one idea from it and add lanterns or candles in glass for the evening. Idea 1 works almost anywhere outdoors, and idea 5 makes any table glow after dark. If your venue is windy, start with ideas 13 or 15, since fruit and pumpkins will not budge.
More inspiration from Glimmering Events
28 Barn and Ranch Wedding Attire Ideas
10 Best Winter Wedding Ideas for a Cozy Chic Celebration
