6 Ways to Bring the Outdoors, Indoors

All weddings at any time of the year can be influenced by one of the four seasons in which it takes place. I know mine certainly did! Being an autumnal wedding, I incorporated some wood effects and autumn leaves into the décor as a way of bringing some of the outdoors, indoors. As much as I would have loved to have had an outdoor wedding, it just didn’t seem practical at that time of year; daylight hours and shorter, it can be freezing cold, and very wet - which it was for me! But that doesn’t mean you can’t still appreciate the beauty of the outdoors within an indoor venue and setting.

Here are my top 6 fool-proof ways of bringing some of that outdoors to your indoor wedding, that work for winter, spring, summer, and autumn weddings alike! Simply tweak them to fit in with the season, or perhaps an entirely different season to the one you’re getting married in; the world is your oyster!

1. Log slices

Perhaps my absolute favourite as they are so easy to incorporate into anything you want. You can use them as the base of the centrepiece on each table, put them at the base of any décor, create an entirely separate piece of decoration from them, or even use them as sign boards or as favours! Don’t forget, they can come in a range of different sizes.

2. Wooden Signs

As well as log slices, you can use any wood such as plywood boards for signs or quotes that can add a great aesthetic to your setting. If you’re really into your DIY, you can even saw them down into arrows or whatever shape you like. I’m sure you can find them on the internet, but if you’re like me, it can just be way more fun and personal to make it yourself; not to mention a bit cheaper.

3. Wooden crates/pallets

Another great prop for signs or any other writing you may wish to incorporate! An itinerary perhaps, seating plan, or even a famous quote that speaks to you. Wooden crates and pallets are also a lovely practical feature that can be used to stack up and perhaps create a DIY bar, tables, or to store favours such as blankets or sparklers for guests.

4. Greenery/flowers

You can’t beat the flowers and greenery which are an entire entity of their own. But the different unconventional and yet subtle areas that you can decorate with them, can draw more attention to the outdoors aspect. Think green or floral vines winding up around the guests’ chairs, decorating bathroom mirrors, tied around bar tables.

5. An arch

An arch can be used anywhere that you would like to draw focus and use as a central feature. Perhaps that’s why it’s common to see them where the ceremony takes place, or around the head-table. Either way, this central focus is useful when trying to encapsulate your seasonal theme into the wedding. From the different types of flowers used, greenery, or lack of either, can well reflect the seasonal outdoor beauty you are trying to radiate.

6. Trees

Artificial trees can be seen to decorate the ceremonial alter on either side as an alternative to arches. Smaller versions can also be used as table centrepieces which you can then decorate with fairy lights, flowers, hang decoration etc. alternatively, you might just want to use long twigs with lights or spray painted, which can add a subtle outdoor element.

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