Decorating for public park wedding?

Seasonal potted plants you can get at home depot or stores like that, If it's under a pavilion at the park maybe some colored streamers or white outdoor lights. Lanterns on the tables with flame less candles. Brightly colored paper plates, cups, silverware etc.

Heres some pinterest ideas

Thank you both for your replies!

@Laura What types of lanterns are you suggesting? Those big paper lanterns or metal lanterns?

@Destiny Those pictures are really helpful. Where did you find them? I noticed that the benches don't have any seat padding. Do you think I should pad the seats or will people be fine?

Pinterest will be your best friend while getting ideas for park wedding decorations! Bench cushions will be a definite. Check with local party renters in your area. We have a few by us and we’re able rent a bunch of things from silverware, table cloths, plates and chargers, chairs, etc. Good luck!

We’re having a pavilion wedding as well! We’re doing big paper lanterns and paper flowers to hang from the ceiling. We’re adding tablecloths on the picnic tables, but I don’t think we’re padding the seats.
Heres our venue

@ Christina Is pinterest an app?

@ Lex That's an awesome pavilion! I dig the stonework. Should the tablecloths reach the floor or is that a matter of personal preference?

Pinterest is an app- a great one! You can download it and type in park pavilion decor and it will give you tons of examples. I think paper lanterns would be great because they’re inexpensive and could add a pop of color! Table clothes don’t need to hit the floors, just something to dress up the tables. Sams Club, BJs, etc have flowers for cheap. You could make centerpieces with them and dollar store vases. I love string lights but during the day they might not make an impact. Paper garland is pretty! You can search that on Pinterest too. I’ve made it before with tissue paper and string. Good luck!!!

@Emily I'll download it and search around. Thanks! I've never heard of pinterest before, so this will be an interesting experience. I'm amazed by how much people can do to DIY their wedding.

While bench pads are a nice perk I don’t think they’re necessary, and you will probably find them prohibitively expensive/hard to find unless you or someone you know is crafty with a sewing machine and can make them. If you have elderly or disabled guests who can’t sit on benches I would suggest bringing in a few of those foldout camp chairs for them instead. I would also check out Walmart and the dollar stores for decorations, they surprisingly have some nice stuff and good selections, like those colorful tissue balls in some of those pics. The dollar stores also usually have glass vases which you can set out on the tables, buy some grocery store bouquets and arrange them for centerpieces.

My family has parties at the park all the time, they’re always a blast and I think it can make for a really lovely reception.

I think a park pavilion can be lovely, its what we were planning at first (we have instead decided to get a tent and have it at our home, as we have a huge yard and are having ours in the evening and didn't want to have to worry about the park's end time rules). At any rate, twinkle lights which you can get on clearance after Christmas (since you have until next year) are great if you will be there towards dusk or the place is really wooded/shaded. They add such a dramatic effect for very little cost. We are having ours in October of this year and will be using seasonal mums, fall floral/leaves, etc. Our centerpieces are lanterns from Ikea ($10 each) sitting on wood slabs with some fall silk flowers around the base. If you have an Ikea near you, they have some tulle-like curtains that are SUPER cheap (if I'm thinking right, like $2ish for a set of 2 panels) that you could use like the one picture above that has them in front of the posts. Very pretty.

Tablecloth length is a matter of preference really. I would check the legs of your picnic tables...are they the kind that have the wood jutting out so you have to step over to get into the seat, or the metal legs that go all the way to the floor? If the legs of the table wouldn't interfere, I'd opt for floor length tablecloths as I think they're more dramatic and kind of add some formality. Floor length may not work as well with the other style benches as they would bunch up around the legs. I hope that makes sense. I can picture in my head what I'm saying but I don't know the right terms I guess? I wouldn't worry about padding...if you rented tables/chairs most likely they wouldn't be padded either (or you'd be paying a lot more for the padded version) so I feel there is not much difference. If you are worried about the cleanliness because they're wood...maybe order a few extra tablecloths and cut them down to fit over the benches? But honestly I think that may be overkill...if people know it's at a park they most likely know what to expect.

I did want to mention, if it is something you would like your family there for or your family would like to be there for...if you're having a reception at the park it is likely you could also find an area there to have the ceremony, and it wouldn't be that much more expense (this is all dependent on whether you want family to be there for that part...totally up to you but it almost sounded like it was a cost thing). The reception is the most costly part, IMO. You may have to rent some chairs, a little bit of decor would go a long way (does your park have some kind of gazebo or anything you could use?) and my SIL had the justice of the peace come to their location to marry them and it cost like $50ish I think. My brother was ordained so that he could perform our ceremony at our request, because he is so well spoken and is a writer so I really wanted him to perform ours.

You can do your wedding at the park too! Talk to your family and friends, see if anyone knows anyone who can legally officiate for you or deputize a special person for the day (check with your state and county laws). My fiance was just part of a park wedding.

For decor, there are so many options. First and foremost, Pinterest!

Ask your friends and family! You'd be surprised what people have laying around. Vases, picture frames, books, scarves, jewelry, decor boxes... All of it can be used in the most creative ways.

Dollar stores and thrift shops can surprise you so always check! My local Dollar store has glass vases in all shapes and sizes, candles and votive, beautiful frames, little chalk boards, colored and natural stones (for the vase bottoms), fake flowers, and a whole aisle side of wedding knickknacks like bubbles, favor boxes, invitations and thank-you cards

Never buy anything full price at a craft store. Every store rotates sales every 2-3 weeks, so wait for those sales or take advantage of coupons.

IKEA, if you have one nearby or someone you know does, has SUPER long tulle curtains (like 10 feet) for $5 a set. Perfect for flowy decor

All great ideas. I I am getting married at a park that has a gazebo next year, while I do have all the Decour I am worried about how do I set up all the decorations and still have time to be a bride too… I am really stumped on the situation, does anyone have any suggestions