Your wedding should be one of the most beautiful, romantic days of your life, but all of that beauty and splendor can come at a price. In fact, the average couple spends over $30,000 on their big day!
Maybe that number is out of your budget, or perhaps you’d simply rather save that kind of money for a house or other big expense as a new couple. If that’s the case, don’t worry! It’s absolutely possible to have a gorgeous wedding day without breaking the bank.
One of the best options for brides on a budget is to host a backyard wedding! Now, you can keep it ultra-simple, only invite your closest friends and family, and have a perfectly wonderful day with little to no planning. But if you want a more traditional modern wedding, there are a few questions that will need to be answered.
Listed below are 10 things to keep in mind when planning your backyard wedding. Let’s get started!
1. Wedding Planner
Planning a wedding is a massive undertaking, and without a venue, there are even more details that have to be considered during the planning process. Because your to-do list will be extra long, it can be extremely helpful to have a wedding planner.
A planner will have a list of reputable vendors, know the ins and outs of the equipment rental process, and help you ensure that you and your guests have a marvelous time without damaging your home.
2. Guest List
When hosting a wedding in a venue, the manager or other representative will tell you the maximum number of guests you can safely fit into the building. By hosting it in your backyard, you will need to determine this number yourself.
Survey your backyard and come up with a rough number of guests you can comfortably fit. Keep in mind that you will also need room for buffet tables, seating, and any entertainment you plan to provide.
3. Rentals
A backyard wedding means you will need to rent everything: tables, chairs, cutlery, plates, etc. Now, your caterer may be able to provide the majority of these items, but you will need to confirm what they do and do not have available so you can plan accordingly.
4. Tents
Among the rental items on your list, tents should be among the top. Not only are tents important in case of rain, but they will also protect your guests from the hot sun and cold wind.
If tents aren’t in your wedding vision, put one on hold anyway. The last thing you want is your wedding to be rained out because you didn’t have a backup plan.
5. Bathrooms
Unless you have a guest list of 60 or less, you may want to rent a portable bathroom facility. Don’t worry, these aren’t typical portable toilets you would see on a construction site. You can rent bathroom facilities with all the amenities and comforts of a regular restroom.
6. Landscaping
Taking your backyard landscaping up a notch or two can do wonders for your wedding photos. Call in a gardener or landscaper to clean up your yard, trim any shrubbery, and maybe even add some flowers or other greenery!
Depending on the projects you want to be completed, you might need to make this appointment months before your wedding, so don’t overlook this detail or you might end up with subpar scenery.
7. Parking
Not only is it discourteous to your neighbors to clog up the streets with your guests’ cars, but it can also quickly become illegal. The best thing to do is to find a parking lot nearby that you can rent for the day.
From here, you have two options. You can ask your guests to park in the lot and arrange for a shuttle service to bring them to your home, or you can hire a valet service to drive their cars from your home to the lot upon their arrival.
8. Permits
Before taking any other steps, it’s crucial that you check with both your homeowner’s association and your local government to determine which, if any, permits you need for your wedding.
Don’t forget to ask about ordinances as well, there are likely regulations on music volume and commercial vehicles parking on your street.
9. Neighbors
Your wedding lasts one day, but your neighbors will be part of your life much longer. In order to avoid the possibility of becoming the least popular person in the neighborhood, you need to keep their thoughts and feelings in mind at all times.
Consider sending each of your neighbors a note in advance of the wedding, letting them know the date and time and apologizing for any inconvenience this may cause them. It’s a nice gesture and can go a long way in keeping you in good standing with those who live nearest to you.
10. Guests
The friends and family you invite to your wedding are some of the most important people in your life, so make them as comfortable and content as you can while they’re visiting your home!
This can be something as small as having a bug spray and sunscreen station available or using citronella candles around the yard to keep the mosquitos at bay.
It’s also a good idea to have a few activities planned for your guests to enjoy while they celebrate with you. Photobooths are always a hit, and you can never go wrong with a dancefloor and good music.
If you’re interested in hiring a DJ to help you and your guests dance the night away, take a look at these DJ services!
Host the Perfect Backyard Wedding With This Guide
Well, there you have it! By following this guide, your backyard wedding will go off without a hitch!
Yes, having a wedding in your backyard may require a bit more planning than hosting it in a venue. But the extra effort will be well worth it when your guests are in awe at your wedding planning prowess.
The most important thing to keep in mind during the planning process and on the day itself is that your wedding is about you and your partner. As long as the two of you are happy, nothing else matters!
For more ideas on everything from wedding entertainment to the perfect set of rings, be sure to take a look at our blog!
