How Do You Have a Backyard Wedding?

A backyard wedding is a beautiful and personal way to celebrate your special day. Planning such an event comes with several unique considerations, from the logistics of space and facilities to the theme and décor. 

Below, we’ll explain how to organise a backyard wedding, covering everything from layout to key suppliers and how to create a memorable experience for both you and your guests.

Let’s get straight to the point

A backyard wedding offers a beautiful, personal, and cost-effective alternative to traditional venues.

Key considerations include choosing the ideal ceremony and reception locations, planning seating, catering, and entertainment spaces, and ensuring guest comfort with tents, lighting, and climate control. 

Backyard weddings allow for flexibility in date selection and the inclusion of pets, while offering sentimental value if held in a meaningful location.

However, they require attention to logistics like power supply, parking, and restroom facilities, as well as securing permits and event insurance. 

With thoughtful preparation and coordination, a backyard wedding can create an intimate and memorable celebration.

Preparing The Space

Space Planning

Before confirming your backyard as the wedding venue, assess the space. You need enough room for seating, tables, and possibly a dance floor. Consult with a rental service or caterer to help you plan the layout.

• Seating Arrangements: Is your wedding a sit-down dinner or a more casual affair with cocktail tables? Make sure there’s enough space for whichever option you choose.
• Dance Floor: Consider whether you want a dedicated dance area and, if so, where to place it to allow enough space for dining and mingling.

Choose A Theme

The theme you choose will set the tone for the décor and overall feel of the event. Whether it’s rustic, modern, or vintage, tailor your decorations accordingly:

• Rustic: Use wooden tables, mismatched chairs, and lanterns for lighting.
• Modern: Go for sleek furniture, clean lines, and minimalistic flowers.
• Vintage: Incorporate lace, antique tableware, and soft floral arrangements.

Lighting And Decorations

Lighting is essential for creating the right atmosphere in an outdoor setting. To achieve the desired look, you can use a combination of natural and artificial light.

• String Lights: Hang them across trees, tents, or fences to create a warm, inviting glow.
• Lanterns and Candles: These can enhance the romantic vibe, especially as the evening progresses.
• Natural Elements: Since you’re outdoors, nature will serve as much of your décor. Add to it with floral arrangements and greenery to make the space feel even more enchanting.

Ceremony Location

Start by selecting the ideal spot for the ceremony. Even a large backyard needs a carefully chosen space for the actual vows. A few things to keep in mind:

• Shade: Trees provide natural shade and a stunning backdrop.
• Guest Comfort: If it’s a hot day, ensure guests are seated in shaded areas. For cooler months, opt for a sunny area to keep everyone warm.
• House as a Focal Point: Consider positioning the ceremony so that the house or garden acts as a backdrop, creating a natural focal point for the event.

Reception Area

If you’re hosting the reception in the same backyard, create distinct areas for dining, dancing, and socialising.

Renting a tent can help establish boundaries and offer protection from the elements. Here’s how to plan:

• Tent Size: Ensure the tent is big enough for your guest list and any additional equipment like dance floors, bars, and seating.
• Catering Space: If your kitchen is too small, you may need an outdoor area for food preparation. Work with your caterer to figure out the equipment and space required.

Benefits Of A Backyard Wedding

Cost-Effective

A significant advantage of a backyard wedding is saving money on venue hire.

Without the need for a venue deposit or hefty rental fees, you can allocate your budget to other areas like décor or food.

While you might need to rent furniture, tents, and possibly restrooms, it still tends to be more affordable than traditional venues.

Flexible Dates

Unlike traditional venues that book out months in advance, a backyard wedding allows you to choose any date. Whether it’s during peak wedding season or a quieter time, you’re not limited by venue availability.

Invite Your Pets

Since it’s your home, you can invite your furry friends to be part of the celebration. No need to worry about pet policies or extra fees—your pets can join the festivities freely.

Sentimental Value

Hosting your wedding in a significant location, like the house you grew up in or your partner’s family home, adds emotional depth to the event. It can be especially meaningful to share such an important day in a place filled with memories.

Managing Logistics

Power Supply

Weddings require more power than a home typically provides. To avoid blown fuses or power outages, hire a generator. Work with your suppliers to estimate power needs based on lighting, sound systems, and catering equipment.

Restroom Facilities

For guest comfort, it’s essential to have enough restrooms. If you’re hosting more than 20 people, consider renting luxury portable restrooms. These come with mirrors and sinks, offering guests a more comfortable experience.

Yard Preparation

In the weeks leading up to the wedding, ensure your yard is in top shape. Consider these steps:

• Landscaping: Schedule any needed yard work early to ensure plants are in full bloom for the big day.
• Lawn Care: Mow the lawn a few days before the wedding to keep it neat and even.
• Flat Ground: If you’re setting up tables or a dance floor, ensure the ground is level.

Parking

Consider the parking situation carefully, especially if you live in a residential area with limited space.

You may need to arrange valet parking or secure an off-site location for guests to park and shuttle them to the venue.

Weather And Backup Plans

Renting Tents

Regardless of the season, a tent is a must-have for a backyard wedding. It provides shelter from rain and offers shade on sunny days.

Make sure to rent one that is large enough for your guest list and allows space for tables, the dance floor, and other areas.

Climate Control

Depending on the time of year, you may need additional measures to keep your guests comfortable:

• Fans or Air Conditioning: For summer weddings, renting fans or portable air conditioners will keep the temperature pleasant.
• Heaters: If your wedding is in the cooler months, renting portable heaters will ensure no one gets too cold.

Backup Plan

Always have a backup plan in case of unexpected weather. Discuss with your wedding planner or coordinator how to move the event indoors quickly if necessary. It’s also wise to have umbrellas and blankets on hand for guests.

Personalising Your Backyard Wedding

Sentimental Decorations

Since you’re hosting at home, take advantage of the personal connection by adding sentimental touches:

• Photo Displays: Hang childhood or couple photos from trees or string them around the tent.
• Family Heirlooms: Use family heirlooms like old wedding photos or vintage furniture to decorate the reception area.
• Bathroom Details: Add personal touches like framed wedding photos in the bathroom or small gift baskets with mints, hand sanitiser, and other essentials.

Games And Entertainment

Make your wedding fun by incorporating lawn games that suit the outdoor environment. Set up games like croquet or cornhole for guests to enjoy during cocktail hour.

• Lawn Games: Perfect for entertaining guests between the ceremony and reception.
• Custom Activities: Personalise the games with your wedding theme or create a custom activity that reflects your interests as a couple.

Suppliers And Services

Catering

With limited kitchen space, you might need to arrange a catering setup outdoors.

Coordinate with your caterer to ensure they have the right equipment and adequate space for food preparation.

Make sure the food service fits with the flow of the event—whether it’s a buffet, plated dinner, or food trucks.

Trash Management

During the event, there will be a lot of waste, so have plenty of bins available for rubbish and recycling. Check if your caterer provides trash management services or hire someone to keep things tidy.

Post-Event Cleanup

After the wedding, there will be clean-up tasks like dismantling tents, returning rental equipment, and removing rubbish. Consider hiring a professional clean-up crew to handle these tasks so you can relax.

Dealing With Permits And Insurance

Obtain Necessary Permits

Depending on where you live, you may need a permit to host a large event in your backyard.

Look into local regulations around noise restrictions, zoning laws, and fire codes. Work with your wedding planner to ensure all necessary permits are obtained well in advance of the wedding.

Insurance

It’s a good idea to check your home insurance policy to ensure you’re covered for any potential damage or accidents during the event. If not, consider purchasing additional event insurance for peace of mind.

Neighbour Relations

Since this is a residential event, it’s important to be considerate of your neighbours. Inform them well in advance about your wedding plans. 

Provide a schedule of the day’s events, including the time and any noise that might occur, such as live music or speeches. You can even offer a small token of appreciation, like earplugs or a note thanking them for their understanding.

Conclusion

A backyard wedding can be a wonderful, personal, and cost-effective alternative to a traditional venue.

While it comes with added responsibilities, such as logistics, parking, and permits, it offers flexibility and sentimental value that few other venues can provide. 

By planning carefully and working with experienced suppliers, you can create a beautiful, intimate event that reflects your personality and love story.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are backyard weddings tacky?

The wedding will be tacky if your guests will sit under the scorching sun and lip chapping winds the entire day. It also will be tacky if it rains and you don’t have a shade. To give your event an impressive look, rent a tent from wedding tent rentals.

Is a backyard wedding less expensive?

If you go totally DIY with your backyard wedding you might see a lower per person price but this all depends on your set up and how much you need to bring in. Ideally you have a fabulous indoor space that can host your desired guest count so you don’t have to rent a tent.

How do I plan an inexpensive backyard wedding?

1. Determine Your Budget First.
2. Limit # of Guests.
3. Host Ceremony/Reception at Private Residence or Public Space.
4. Choose 2-3 Top Priorities.
5. Look at Alternative Food and Booze Options.
6. Ask for Help in Lieu of Gifts.
7. DIY Favors, Flowers, and Wedding Party Gifts.
8. Shop Second Hand or Vintage for Attire and Decor.

Is it okay to have a backyard wedding?

Because a backyard wedding tends to be naturally more intimate than a wedding at a traditional venue, this is the perfect reason to keep your guest list small.

Unless you’re getting married in the backyard of a multi-acre mansion, there simply won’t be enough space to accommodate a huge guest list.

What is the best month to have an outdoor wedding?

When holding an outdoor wedding, it’s best to schedule it during the spring months of March and April and in the fall months of October and November.

These times of the year provide ideal temperatures (65 to 80 F) suitable for an outdoor wedding.