Celebrate Outdoors – Planning Your Backyard Wedding

What could be better than having a backyard wedding? All weddings are special. But the sentimental aspect of exchanging vows and celebrating your wedding in the same place where you played, and dreamt of your future makes a backyard wedding that much more special.

Or maybe you just love the idea of an outdoor wedding and have your eye on a lovely site that isn’t your backyard.

Backyard/outdoor weddings aren’t necessarily easier or “better” than weddings held at a banquet room or other traditional venue (but they don’t have to be harder or “worse” either). When planning a backyard wedding you are literally “starting from scratch,” so you’re going to have more “moving parts” and different logistics to deal with.

So, is a backyard wedding for you? Here is a list of pros and cons, and things you’ll need to take into consideration when planning your backyard wedding.

Pros of Having a Backyard Wedding

Is more sentimental than a traditional wedding venue

Family homes are spaces where love and laughter filled the air, from birthdays to backyard barbeques, to just hanging around. Having your wedding there too allows you to share this special space with your partner and weave him/her into its history.

Allows you the freedom to really do what you want

• No preconceived notions of “the buffet table goes here” and “the head table goes here” that you find with banquet rooms.
• No “required vendor list” that you have to use.
• It’s a blank canvas. You don’t have to work around the pre-existing color scheme of the carpet or drapes.
• No worries about “no pets” policies most venues have. Your furbabies can be a part of the celebration.

Availability and cost

You don’t have to worry that your wedding date is already taken. Also, the cost for your venue is free with backyard weddings (there will be a cost for an outdoor venue).

Less decor is needed

You may need less decor, especially for outdoor ceremonies. You chose the outdoors for a reason, so let it shine and let Mother Nature do the decorating. Incorporate the trees and gardens that are on site as lovely backdrops or focal points.

Cons of Having a Backyard Wedding

Utilities and amenities

Electric
This is adequately available with traditional wedding venues, but not necessarily so for a backyard wedding. Your DJ/band, and lighting will need electric. And it’s not just the number of electrical outlets in question, but the amperage and wattage available. You don’t want to be blowing fuses all night, so consider renting a generator.

Heating/AC
You’ll want your guests to be comfortable, so don’t forget about the temperature. You may need to rent portable heaters, fans, or air conditioning units.

Water
Again, this is adequately available with traditional wedding venues, but not necessarily so for a backyard wedding. So, who could need access to water? Your caterer, florist, and portable restroom company.

Restrooms
Won’t the bathroom inside the house do? Well, yeah, but… On your wedding day, your bathroom will be accessed by 100 people or more – for a 5 or so hour period. Figure in that they’ll be drinking, and well . . . that’s a lot of flushes! Not to mention all those people walking in and out of the house. You can rent a rent port-a-potty.

Don’t want the “construction site” look? There are companies that rent restroom trailers that look like a regular bathroom, complete with running water.

Kitchen facilities
A normal kitchen at home isn’t big enough to accommodate food preparations for 100+ people make sure you set up a meeting with your caterer for them to come out and assess the kitchen to see if it will meet their needs. They may just need a couple prep tables, have to bring mobile kitchen, or transport prepared food in hot boxes.

Trash and clean-up

Generally the clean-up required at a typical venue is taking what you brought and maybe a quick go-over with a broom. However, with your backyard wedding, clean-up will be more extensive. You may have lawn damage. Trash may have “migrated” to your neighbor’s flower bed.

And what about dealing with the trash generated during the event? Not just the need for extra trash receptacles and bags, but where to stash those filled trash bags during the event AND trash removal after the event. Will your trash service simply pick up a dozen or more bags of garbage, or will they charge extra?

The legalities

You need to be aware of any city and neighborhood noise ordinances. Also, special permits and fire inspections may be required. After all of your planning and anticipation of your wonderful day, the last thing you want is for the police to come and shut it down.

Don’t forget about insurance (including property damage and third-party liability). Check with your homeowner or renter’s insurance company to see what they cover.

Logistics

Loading in & out
A home doesn’t have a loading dock or area for equipment to be brought in. Also, vendor’s vehicles may have to drive on the lawn so they can load in, then load out at the end of the event.

Parking
Your guests have to park their cars somewhere. But, unless you’re in an open remote area, you’ll need to figure out where they can do so. Don’t assume that street parking is a definite option as some towns and communities have times where street parking is prohibited, or prohibit just using an empty parking lot. So when you’re looking into permits and city ordinances, also ask about parking.

It may be that providing a shuttle or valet parking ends up being the best option for you.

Nature and weather

Basic comfort
Although quite doable, there are extra preparations to be had with an outdoor event. Insect repellant, blankets, sunscreen, hand-held fans, sunglasses, and umbrellas (to protect against sun as well as rain) are just a few things you may need to provide to ensure your guests’ comfort.

Plan “B”
You’ll need to give some serious thought for a “Plan B” in case of inclement weather (many venues that offer outdoor space also have room indoors where the event can take place in case Mother Nature is not cooperative). Excessive heat, rain, or wind can put a damper on the best laid plans.

Lawn and garden maintenance
You may need to do some landscaping – from reseeding and resodding to planting pretty flowers that will be in bloom in time for your wedding. Remember that many spring blooms need to be planted in the fall.

Sunshine
How can sunshine be a problem for a wedding, you’re probably wondering? It can when it’s shining in everybody’s eyes. So if you’re wanting to do an outdoor ceremony, make sure the seats are situated so that the sun isn’t shining directly in your guests’ eyes.

Darkness
Of course, if any part of your wedding will take place after the sun goes down, you’re providing lighting so everyone can see. But don’t forget to make sure other to-be-used areas, such as walkways and near the restrooms, are adequately lighted. Also, if you want your ceremony by candlelight be sure to let your photographer and videographer know. Professionals will be able to work in these conditions, and your photos are sure to be amazing, but a little advance warning is always a plus.

Rentals

You’re going to have to rent way more items for your backyard wedding than for one held at a traditional wedding venue. Everything has to be brought in, including the basics that are often included with more traditional venues, such as tables, chairs, and linens.

Of course, the big question is “Are backyard weddings cheaper?” Not necessarily. But in reality, there is no definitive answer. There are added expenses involved, since you do have to bring in everything. However, there are areas where you will save too, the biggest being the venue cost. And with no constraints on your caterer, your menu options are limitless, so you can buy food and hire wait staff from a local restaurant, which can cost a lot less than paying per head.

Another word of advice when planning a back yard wedding – Let the neighbors know in advance of your plans. Make sure you tell them the time that your wedding ceremony and reception will occur. The last thing you’ll want is for someone to be mowing their lawn or running a power saw right in the middle of your wedding vows or first dance! You may consider seeing if they’d be ok with using their driveways for parking. Feel funny about asking them for a favor, especially if you aren’t planning on inviting them to the wedding? Make sure you “pay them back” with a slice or two of wedding cake.

Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean

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Planning an outdoor, backyard wedding? Weddings From The Heart would love to help. Contact me today at jean@weddingsfromtheheart.net or by phone or text at 937-581-3647!