The Ultimate Guide to Your Dream Backyard Wedding and Reception
If there’s an unexpected thing the series of lockdowns have brought us, it’s our creativity and our sentimentality, which is why the rise of backyard weddings isn’t surprising at all.
More and more couples are choosing to hold their weddings in the intimacy, comfort, and familiarity of their own backyards—not only to have more control and flexibility on their special day, but because the uncertainties have led all of us to cherish pre-pandemic memories and the togetherness of loved ones.
If you’re thinking of holding your own wedding in your own backyard at home or if you’re weighing your options for your wedding venue, here’s a handy guide to the things you, your fiancé, and your wedding planner have to prepare for. Best wishes!
The Logistics
- Power Supply
On your wedding day, your venue must provide enough power for the lights and sound equipment and caterer all at the same time. This is more power than what one home can usually handle.
To make sure you don’t cause a power shortage or a blackout to you and your entire neighborhood on your special day, have an electrician check on this aspect of the wedding in advance. You can also choose to rent generators to make sure your venue can supply the electricity requirement that you’ll be needing.
- Portable Restrooms
Your guests will surely need some space for comfort, especially if you’re planning to have a guest list that’s larger than 15 people.
Fortunately, there are upscale portable toilet trailers for rent that will provide your guests comfortable breaks. For some personal touch, add little things that’ll surely be of value to your guests for this setup like oil control films, breath fresheners, safety pins, adhesive bandages, hand sanitizers, and cotton balls.
- Backyard Maintenance
As soon as you’ve set the date for your wedding, you will surely want to give the plants in your backyard some time to bloom, fill out, and even be rearranged if necessary.
You can consider consulting a landscaper and a gardener to ensure that there’s enough space for tables, chairs, a dance floor, a stage, or tents on the day, all while also ensuring that your backyard garden is in full bloom and ready for all your picture-perfect moments on your wedding day.
- Neighborhood Permits
Before booking and paying your suppliers, make sure you have consulted with your village and city officials regarding the permits you will be needing in order to host a large party at home.
It is best to check your local noise ordinances, fire codes, and health department regulations, so you wouldn’t violate anything on the day of your wedding.
- Parking
While checking on the regulations of your local village or city, also make sure that you check their regulations on street parking: will your guests get in trouble for street parking?
If you won’t be allowed to park on the sidestreets, consider the nearest open space you can use as parking spaces for your guests and secure the necessary permit to arrange this. Make sure to also inform your guests ahead of time so they can make plans on dropoff, pickup, and parking points.
- Neighbors
At least two months before your wedding date, make sure to notify your neighbors of your backyard wedding plans. This will give them enough time to rearrange their own plans or even plan some time away from their own home in order to give you some extra quiet time on your wedding day.
We highly recommend that you give them a little gift as a token of appreciation for their consideration, patience, and understanding. This way, you can ensure that everyone is happy on your wedding day.
- Backup Plans
What if it suddenly rains? What if it’s suddenly so hot? Should you rent a tent? Should you rent some fans?
Our hope is that you won’t have to use your Plan B, Plan C, or even Plan D, but a little planning will help keep things in order so you won’t have to scramble at the last minute.
The Wedding Space
Whether you have a small backyard or a sprawling one, these moments are worthy of having their own special spaces.
- The Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony, especially your “I Dos,” is the highlight of your wedding day. We recommend that you decide on a perfect frame, an artistic arch, or a creative backdrop to make your wedding ceremony even more special.
A special setup also adds some dimension to your wedding venue, defining the focal point for your guests to turn their heads to and for your photographer and videographer to focus on.
- The Cocktail Hour
Since your guests won’t be leaving after your wedding ceremony, it’s a great idea to plan for a cocktail hour before the reception. This gives your guests enough time to mingle and to switch to party mode.
If you’re planning to take some wedding portraits after the wedding ceremony, the cocktail hour is also a great way to keep your guests happy and entertained while you’re away from them.
- The Reception
The challenge with a backyard wedding is how to designate spaces, especially the reception space. While setting a tent over your reception space is a great and easy idea to define boundaries, it’s also a beautiful thought to dine under the stars.
If you prefer to keep your space open, it’s a good idea to use hanging decors using the trees or ground markers, like flower and wood arrangements to fill out the space. This way, there is more space available for the tables and the serving stations.
Some Notes for Your Backyard Wedding
Add some lighting. Create a certain mood for your wedding and add more romantic elements by using additional lights to your backyard, like citronella candles, marquee signs, sparkly string lights, and lanterns.
Prepare for nature and the weather. No one can control these two factors, so prepare for all scenarios to keep everyone comfortable. Add sunscreen sprays, handheld fans, insect repellants, pashminas, umbrellas, or citronella candles to your party favors or your wedding elements.
Choosing your wedding styling. Choose colors and design elements that complement and highlight the unique aspects of your wedding space, of who you are as a couple, and of why this space is special for both of you. Build your moodboard with your fiancé and have fun!
While backyard weddings and receptions may be challenging, there is nothing like adding another special memory to an already special space for you and your husband. We hope this guide helps you get over these little hurdles and enjoy your wedding day.
