Home is Where the Heart Is: Planning Your Perfect Backyard Wedding

Outdoor weddings are on the rise, with 68% of wedding ceremonies and 58% of receptions held outdoors. (Statista), so it’s highly likely that you are dreaming of an outdoor wedding. Why not take it a step further and create a wedding that reflects your unique style, intimate connections, and cherished memories with a backyard wedding?

Imagine exchanging vows under the open sky, surrounded by the lush familiarity of your own backyard. Backyard weddings have surged in popularity, offering couples a canvas to craft an intimate, personalized celebration that echoes your personalities.

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.

 

Backyard Wedding Ideas

Photo Credit: Brandon Richardson via Pexels

 

Pros of Having a Backyard Wedding

Among the most common reasons for having a backyard wedding are 1) the emotional and sentimental significance and 2) cost.

Here’s a list of pros highlighting the advantages of having a backyard wedding:

1. Emotional Significance

Tying the knot in a familiar space often holds deep emotional significance, creating lasting memories and a sense of belonging. What can be more memorable than getting married in your childhood backyard or in Grandma’s backyard?

2. Cost-Effectiveness

There is no venue rental fee, so you’ll save a lot (maybe a few thousand dollars) right there. And since you don’t have to adhere to a venue’s “approved vendor” list, you have the option to choose vendors at lower price points.

3. Flexibility in Planning

You also have flexibility in the scheduling of the day and layout for the ceremony and reception, giving you more control to do things as you’d really like.

4. Intimate Atmosphere

Backyard weddings are often smaller affairs, offering a cozy and intimate setting for your celebration.

5. 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.

6. Greater Opportunity for DIY and Personalization

A backyard wedding gives you the freedom to personalize every aspect of the wedding, from décor and layout to catering choices, creating a unique and meaningful experience. Couples can indulge in DIY projects, adding personal touches to the wedding and creating a sense of accomplishment.

7. Comfort and Convenience

Guests may feel more comfortable in a familiar environment, and logistical arrangements can be more convenient, especially for elderly or young attendees. (Which can be a con if not handled correctly. I’ll address this more below with a Q&A with a real bride* ).

8. Environmental Impact

Smaller-scale events like backyard weddings often have a lower environmental impact compared to larger, traditional venues, aligning with eco friendly values.

These pros showcase the unique advantages that a backyard wedding can offer, making it an appealing option for couples seeking a more intimate and personalized celebration.

Photo Credit: Needpix

Cons of Having a Backyard Wedding

However, like most things, there is a flip side and having a backyard wedding does have some cons.

Here’s a list of cons or challenges that couples might face when considering a backyard wedding:

1. Logistical Challenges

Limited space may pose difficulties in accommodating guests comfortably, requiring careful planning for seating, parking, and facilities. Be sure to find out the local noise ordinance and what time the music has to be turned off (you don’t want any visits from the police).

2. Weather Uncertainty

Outdoor weddings are susceptible to weather, from regular daily weather like the hot sun or wind, to changes in weather conditions such as a sudden rain storm. Unexpected weather conditions can severely impact the event, so it’s important to have backup plans and/or tent rentals in place. (Always, ALWAYS have a “Plan B” in place).

3. Sunshine

What!? 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.

4. 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.

5. Neighborhood Disturbances

Noise from neighbors or local traffic, or restrictions due to community or HOA rules can quickly disrupt the romantic wedding atmosphere, requiring consideration and communication with neighbors well before the wedding day.

6. Additional Expenses

While backyard weddings can be cost-effective, they do require additional investments as you have to bring in everything (including tables, chairs, table linens, and portable toilets). You may also need to invest in sprucing up the landscaping, from reseeding and resodding to planting pretty flowers that will be in bloom in time for your wedding, to prepare the space adequately.

 

7. Permit Requirements

Some locations might need permits or permissions for hosting events, adding to the administrative responsibilities and potential costs. Check with the local city hall or fire marshal to find out what they require.

8. Cleanup and Restoration

After the celebration, cleanup and restoration of the backyard to its pre-wedding condition could be time-consuming and may require additional help or resources. Also, weddings generate a lot of trash, so you’ll have to plan ahead for its disposal.

9. Insect and Pest Control

Backyards are outside, and outside has insects or other pests. This is a challenge during an outdoor event, necessitating preventive measures.

10. Lack of Amenities

Compared to traditional wedding venues, backyards events may lack access to certain amenities like kitchen facilities (including ovens, refrigerators, and freezers), sufficient electrical outlets, or suitable backup power sources, and access to running water.

11. Stress and Responsibility

The additional responsibility of planning, coordination, and managing the event at home can add stress to you or as well as your family members, particularly the folks who live there.

 

How the Comfort and Convenience of a Backyard Wedding Can Pose A Problem

* Q – We love the idea of backyard weddings and are doing a DIY, non-traditional wedding at my parents house. I want our guests to be comfortable, but I am worried that after the reception is over people will just stay because they are already comfortable there.

A – I love backyard weddings. There is nothing more personal or unique than having your reception at home.

But, you make a good point about people getting comfortable and staying. The one thing that you can do to help is even though it’s at your parents home, don’t treat it like “oh, we’re just hanging out and partying at home.” Treat it like a wedding reception.

 

How to Plan a Backyard Wedding So It Doesn’t Seem Like a “Home”

Outside Only

Don’t give your guests the run of the house like you normally would if they are just over for a visit. Since the reception will be held in the backyard, and not in the house, make inside off-limits. Of course, you’ll probably have a few exceptions to who can come in – such as grandma and grandpa if it is really hot outside, or a friend who needs some privacy to nurse her baby. But for everyone else, all the action is outside so they can stay there.

Restrooms

Rent a port-a-potty. They make styles that look like a regular bathroom, so your guests don’t have to feel like they’re at a construction site. This eliminates the need for people to have to come inside (and feel more like home), and for most weddings, a home bathroom isn’t enough to accommodate the number of people who will be there. Do you really want a hundred or so people traipsing through the house looking for a bathroom?

Tent

Rent a tent. This not only helps define the space where you want your guests to be, it also helps defend against Mother Nature. It will keep your guests out of the hot sun, (or out of the rain if the weather isn’t cooperating), and won’t give your guests any reason to have to go inside.

Conclusion
Embracing the intimacy, personalization, and cost-effectiveness of planning a backyard wedding comes with the need for meticulous planning, adaptable solutions, and a touch of extra creativity. Whether you choose a backyard celebration or opt for a traditional venue, may your wedding day radiate with love, warmth, and cherished moments that signify the beginning of a beautiful journey together.

Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean

Author of “Wedding Invitations, RSVPs, and More! Oh My!”  and “From ‘I Will’ to ‘I Do’”

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Have questions about your wedding plans? Contact me today at [email protected] or by phone or text at 937-581-3647!