Planning a wedding can be both exciting and daunting, but hosting it in your backyard offers a personal and intimate touch. Discover how to make a wedding in your backyard with our comprehensive guide covering everything from decorations to seating arrangements.
As you plan your special day, consider how much it costs to throw a backyard wedding to ensure you stay on budget.
And for a finishing touch, learn how to light your backyard for a party to create the perfect ambiance. Delve into our resources and make your wedding day a truly unforgettable experience.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Use the backyard landscape to create a stunning backdrop |
| 2. Hang lights to create a romantic atmosphere |
| 3. Build a fence to create a private and intimate setting |
| 4. Hosting a backyard wedding can be cost-effective |
| 5. Add a unique touch to the reception with an outdoor movie night |
Turn Your Yard Into a Backyard Wedding Venue
Now that you’ve decided to host your wedding in your own backyard, it’s time to start planning. In addition to all the traditional wedding planning, there are many other things to consider when planning a backyard wedding. Here are some tips:
Hire a party planner. While you could handle everything on your own, hiring someone will make the process easier and more stress-free.
A party planner can help with every step of the process, from venue selection to menu and décor selection as well as day-of execution for events like catering and florists (if needed).
Have an idea of how many guests you want at your wedding before choosing any locations or vendors.
If possible, try out different venues before deciding on one so that everyone involved knows what they’re signing up for in terms of space restrictions and amenities available at each venue even if those features don’t end up being used!
Creating a stunning landscape can set the perfect backdrop for a backyard wedding. Follow our easy guide on making your own backyard landscape to make your backyard wedding a magical experience.
Choose a Color Scheme
When choosing a color scheme for your wedding, you’ll want to consider:
- The season of the year
- The theme of your wedding
- What colors coordinate with those of your wedding decorations, location and attire.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a color scheme that is not too busy or too bright. You don’t want guests’ eyes burning out from looking at so many colors!
Popular Backyard Wedding Decorations
| Decoration | Description |
|---|---|
| String Lights | Adds a romantic atmosphere to any outdoor space |
| Flowers | Use local, seasonal blooms to save money and add charm |
| Lanterns | Can be hung from trees or placed on tables for a soft glow |
| Candles | Create a warm and intimate setting for the ceremony and reception |
| Photo Booth | A fun and interactive way to capture memories with guests |
| Arbors and Trellises | A beautiful way to frame the ceremony and highlight the couple |
Create a Backyard Wedding “Lookbook”
A lookbook is a collection of photos that show the style and decor that you want for your wedding.
You can make a lookbook by pulling together photos from magazines, websites, or your wedding venue (like us!).
Use the templates below to gather inspiration for the colors, decor and other details of your backyard wedding.
Shop at Home
One of the best ways to save money on your wedding is to shop at home. By shopping at home, you are saving time and gas, and most importantly saving money.
You can do everything yourself or hire professionals to do it for you, but either way it’s going to be cheaper than having a wedding planner do it all for you. Here are some things that should be done right before your big day:
- Shop at home for everything you need (flowers, dresses, etc.)
- Make sure the photographer has all the photos they need
- Make sure the DJ knows what songs he needs ahead of time
Lighting is key to creating a romantic atmosphere for a backyard wedding. Learn how to hang lights in a backyard with our helpful tips in this backyard globe hanging guide to make your special day shine.
Come Up With Ideas That Work For You, Not Against You
As you’re considering ideas for your backyard wedding, don’t be afraid to try new things. If something sounds good in theory but doesn’t feel right in practice, don’t worry about it too much.
Your wedding should be what makes sense for you and your partner not what works best with other people’s opinions or expectations.
Take Advantage of The Season You’re In
When choosing a season, think about how busy people are in that time. If you choose a popular wedding season like summer or spring, guests will be more likely to already have other plans for the day of your wedding.
This is why winter weddings are so popular: most people do not have any holidays or other major events scheduled before Christmas and New Year’s Eve!
The same goes for fall—it’s usually right after Halloween and before Thanksgiving, so many people are still getting over their Halloween hangover and not thinking about anything else just yet.
Hosting an outdoor movie night can add a fun and unique element to a backyard wedding reception. Check out our guide on how to do a backyard movie night experience to make your wedding reception a night to remember.
Consider the Weather When Planning Your Backyard Wedding
When planning your backyard wedding, it’s important to consider the weather. This means checking the forecast and making sure you’re prepared for both sunny and rainy days. Here are some tips for how to plan for each type of weather:
For sunny days at weddings, you’ll want to make sure that everyone has shade if possible; this can be done by having multiple tents or hanging a canopy over tables where guests will be sitting (check out our post on how to hang a canopy). If there aren’t any trees around, then look into renting an outdoor tent so that everyone has plenty of shade and protection from wind gusts if necessary.
If it rains on your big day, don’t panic! You have several options available:
Move everything indoors – This may seem obvious but some venues don’t allow outside food or drink so this may not work well depending on what type of venue you’ve chosen (for example if it’s just too small).
If this is the case then look into renting another location nearby which is large enough such as a conference room at a hotel or office building nearby with plenty of parking space so guests can still come without difficulty..
Hold off until better weather comes along – This option takes patience but could save money since most venues charge extra if they need to use their indoor spaces due its popularity among brides today.”
A fence can help create privacy for a backyard wedding, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Check out our easy tips on building a cheap backyard fence to make your wedding day intimate and budget-friendly.
Choose a Time of Day That Works Best For You and Your Guests
Next, you need to figure out the best time of day for your wedding. This is important because the time of day will affect a lot of other things, such as:
- Your mood and that of your guests
- Lighting conditions
- Weather conditions (and temperature!)
- Bug population
Get Creative with Seating and Tables
Finding the perfect seating for your backyard wedding can be tricky. When you’re having a smaller wedding, it’s important to consider the amount of guests and how many tables they’ll need.
If your backyard is small, try to keep the number of tables to a minimum because it will help keep the overall look elegant without being overbearing.
If you’re having a large wedding, it’s essential that you have enough seating for everyone! This means renting extra chairs or even renting an entire tent for everyone so they can sit in comfort as well as enjoy themselves Some people choose an outdoor bar area with comfy chairs instead of traditional tables and chairs.
If this sounds like an option for you, make sure there is still plenty of room on either side so no one feels crowded by other partygoers’ legs!
Don’t Forget Lighting!
One of the great things about a backyard wedding is that you can add your personal touch. One way to do this is by using lighting.
There are so many different kinds of lighting that can be used at a wedding, including:
- Candlelight (for romantic ambiance)
- String lights (to create an outdoorsy look)
- Candelabra or chandeliers (to highlight specific tables)
Hosting a wedding can be expensive, but a backyard wedding can be a cost-effective solution. Learn more about the cost of hosting a backyard wedding with our guide on how much to throw a backyard wedding to make your wedding day dreams a reality.
Have Entertainment On Hand If Bug Season Is At Its Peak!
Bug season is at its peak, and if there’s one thing that can ruin your outdoor wedding (besides rain), it’s bugs. With all of the wonderful things a backyard wedding has to offer, there are also some drawbacks.
Be prepared for this by stocking up on some handy bug repellents. Bug spray is essential, but consider adding mosquito netting for added protection against the flying creatures that are causing your guests so much distress.
If you really want to get serious about keeping the bugs away from your event, invest in insect repellant candles or zappers that can be set up throughout the yard during cocktail hour and dinner service—they’re affordable and effective!
Mosquito coils are another great option because they’ll eliminate any airborne insects while emitting pleasant scents such as lavender or lemon grass into the air; just make sure not to burn them too close to tables or chairs since they’re made out of paper!
Finally, netting isn’t just for weddings: mosquito traps work wonders at keeping nasty pests away from outdoor parties as well (you could even put them right next door!).
Sample Backyard Wedding Menu
| Course | Sample Dish |
|---|---|
| Appetizer | Caprese Skewers |
| Salad | Grilled Peach Salad |
| Main Course | Grilled Chicken with Lemon Herb Marinade |
| Side Dish | Herb-Roasted Potatoes |
| Dessert | S’mores Bar with Gourmet Toppings |
| Signature Drink | Peach and Prosecco Cocktail |
Conclusion
Well, you’ve got the basics down and your wedding is ready to go. We hope this has been a helpful guide for those of you who are planning your backyard weddings!
Remember that it doesn’t matter if your wedding is big or small; as long as everyone involved is having a great time and making memories with their closest friends and family members, that’s all that matters.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you plan your backyard wedding:
How to Make Your Backyard More Small and Easy Way: This article provides tips for maximizing the space in your backyard and making it feel more open and inviting.
How to Hang Lights in a Backyard Globe: Lighting is an important aspect of any outdoor event, and this article offers step-by-step instructions for hanging globe lights in your backyard.
How to Make Your Own Backyard Landscape: If you’re looking to spruce up your backyard before the big day, this article provides tips for creating a beautiful and functional landscape.
How to Set Up a Backyard Party: Pro Tips: Hosting a backyard wedding is similar to hosting a backyard party, and this article offers expert advice for creating a fun and memorable event.
How to Make Your Backyard Look Nice for Cheap: Weddings can be expensive, but this article provides budget-friendly ideas for improving the look of your backyard without breaking the bank.
How to Plan a Backyard Wedding: This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about planning a backyard wedding, from choosing a theme to hiring vendors and managing logistics.
25 Backyard Wedding Ideas: This article offers inspiration and ideas for creating a beautiful and unique backyard wedding, including tips for decor, lighting, and seating arrangements.
FAQs
What are the benefits of hosting a backyard wedding?
Hosting a wedding in your backyard can offer several benefits, including the ability to customize the space to your liking, save money on venue fees, and create a more intimate and personal setting for your special day.
What are some important considerations when planning a backyard wedding?
When planning a backyard wedding, it’s important to consider factors such as the size and layout of your space, the weather, and any noise or parking restrictions in your neighborhood. You’ll also need to think about logistics such as seating, lighting, and restroom facilities.
How can I decorate my backyard for a wedding?
There are many ways to decorate your backyard for a wedding, depending on your personal style and budget. Some popular options include string lights, floral arrangements, and DIY decor such as chalkboard signs and photo backdrops.
It’s also important to consider the overall theme and color scheme of your wedding when choosing decorations.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.