07/10/2023
More couples are opting to have smaller, more intimate, budget friendly weddings. Hosting your wedding in your backyard gives you a lot more flexibility and choice. You are 100% in control of every aspect, including dĂŠcor, food, drinks, and timing. Plus, you get to play around with layouts in your own time. Just keep in mind that hosting a backyard wedding also means you need to take care of absolutely everything yourself. However, if you have people willing to help you and you enjoy planning in general, this isnât a negative.
Top Backyard Wedding Planning Tips:
1. Evaluate your space.
Do you have enough room for your guests, tables, chairs, a dance floor, food area, ceremony area, and more?
If you have a few suppliers in mind, you can ask them for assistance and guidance in terms of the layout. Getting your photographerâs opinion on the layout will also ensure your photos look great.
2. Work with what you have.
As you plan out the different sections, consider and use whatâs available. You should also consider the date of your wedding. Which flowers will be in bloom and how will this impact your photos? Once you know how to best utilize the space, plan how you will prep before your big day.
3. Think about the guest experience.
What do you want your guests to experience on the day of your wedding? Will certain guests have specific requirements such as a proper chair to feel comfortable? After the ceremony, where do you want guests to go? Basically, you want to plan the flow of the day and pair that with how you plan to use your backyard to create the best possible guest experience.
You should also keep your neighbors and the neighborhood in mind â are there any restrictions ? What about parking? Can you accommodate guests and vendors that will drive to your home? If you plan to invite out-of-town guests, be sure to mention accommodation options to them.
4. Remember the small details.
Make sure your bathrooms are stocked. You may even need to get someone to help throughout the day to ensure the bathrooms are kept in a decent state.
As for your guests, should they wear flat shoes for walking over grass? Should they bring something warm because itâs an outdoor ceremony?
5. Get help.
Backyard weddings are more hands-on, so donât refuse help from friends and family. Everyone taking care of one or two details will ensure the entire day runs smoothly.
It also gives you and your partner more room to enjoy the process and your wedding day.