Top 10 Ideas for Backyard Wedding Pool Party Décor

A pool party is a great idea for summer weddings! It’s an especially great idea for brides and grooms who want to take advantage of a backyard pool to save a little money.

Just don’t make the mistake of thinking that a wedding pool party is only for you if you have a pool in your backyard or you’re hosting your nuptials in the summer heat! Not only can you rent a pool space from many venues if a wedding pool party is a dream of yours, but with the wedding pool party décor ideas on this list, you’ll see that you can enjoy the pool in the spring and fall, even when it’s not quite warm enough to swim.

Our favorite décor ideas include:

• Hang wedding pool lights
• Hang lanterns
• Float items in the water
• Decorate with balloons
• Decorate with pool floats
• Create a wedding pool arch
• Place a decorative barrier around the pool
• Create a reflection in the water
• Construct a pool bridge
• Create a plexiglass dance floor over the pool

String Lights Hung Above a Pool: Style Me Pretty

Hang Wedding Pool Lights 

One of the easiest ways to decorate is to use lights. Nearly any kind of string lights can become wedding pool lights. Crisscross outdoor string lights above the pool, create walkways out of string lights draped between stakes in the ground, or wrap fairy lights around trees near the pool.

Paper Lanterns Hung Above a Pool Reception: Wed Me Good

Hang Lanterns

If you like the idea of using lights but want to try something a little different, try hanging some lanterns. Wedding pool party décor looks just as lovely whether you hang geometric glass lanterns, rustic lanterns, or paper lanterns above the pool.

Floating Flower Arrangements With Candles: Wedding Chicks

Float Items in the Water

One of the quickest and easiest ways to decorate for a backyard wedding pool party is to float things in the water! You are only limited by your imagination, but a few of our favorite ideas include floating things in the water like:

• Pool wedding monogram
• Rose petals
• Flower buds
• Pomander flower arrangements
• Balloons
• Candles
• Upside down umbrellas
• Wreaths
• Lighted paper lanterns

White Balloons Decorating an Outdoor Pool Space: 100 Layer Cake

Decorate With Balloons 

Although balloons have already been mentioned as something that can float in the water as decorations, wedding pool balloons deserve a special mention because they can do so much more to elevate the look of your big day.

Balloon arrangements look especially striking over and near the water, while clear balloons filled with helium and tied to string so they float above the water can give the appearance of bubbles. LED balloons can give your evening party a romantic glow and a pool that is completely covered in balloons is perfect for festive fêtes.

His and Her Swans Floating in a Pool: Anna Wu Photography

Decorate With Pool Floats

Wedding pool party floats are a must if you or your guests are planning on jumping in the water, but don’t assume that wedding pool inflatables are only for going in the water. You can use them to decorate too!

His and her swans can float in the water throughout the evening as decorations, inflatable palm trees can decorate the backyard, and if you are good at DIY, you can find some pretty cool craft ideas that use pool noodles.

Bride and Groom Standing Under a Wedding Pool Arch: Laura Watson

Create a Wedding Pool Arch 

The pool is the focal point of any backyard, but you don’t necessarily want it to be the focal point during your ceremony. Using a wedding pool arch is a great way to create a focal point in the backyard so the pool becomes part of the background.

You can create any kind of arch you like or have one made. Keep things simple with a few wispy pieces of fabric that hang on a wooden arch, create a floral arch, or do something with geometric shapes.

Pool Outlined With Candles and Greenery: KT Merry

Place a Decorative Barrier Around the Pool

If you are truly using the pool as décor and only want to have your wedding around the pool (and you worry that someone might jump or fall in), consider placing a decorative barrier around the pool. Flowers, candles, and greenery always look classy around the edge of a pool, but you can also line the outside of the pool with reception tables, placing chairs around the outside so guests don’t have access to the water.

Oversized Lighted Letters Reflecting in a Pool: Wedding Forward

Create a Reflection in the Water

Instead of placing items directly in the water, create wedding pool party décor that reflects off the water. Candles and lights are a great way to play with reflections, but one of our favorites involves using oversized lighted letters at the edge of the pool so they can be seen in the water. You could also project your monogram directly onto the water.

Bride and Groom on a Wedding Pool Bridge: Brides

Construct a Wedding Pool Bridge

If you want a to inject some “Wow!” into your wedding, it doesn’t get any better than constructing a wedding pool bridge that you and your beloved can use as an aisle while guests are seated around the pool.

Just make sure you know what you’re doing when constructing the bridge, or hire a professional to do it for you. The last thing you want to do is fall in the pool before you I do’s!

Bride and Groom on a Plexiglass Dance Floor Above a Pool: The Knot

Create a Plexiglass Dance Floor Over the Pool 

Did you know you can rent pool cover dance floors that enable you to have your wedding on the pool? There are many different kinds you can rent or buy, but one of our favorites is a plexiglass cover.

With clear panels, you can still see the water below while you dance the night away. They are especially beautiful if you light up the water below or float low-profile decorations, like flower petals, in the water beneath your feet.