Skip to main content

Tips for Backyard Weddings

Image found HERE plus more DIY projects for home & garden.

Planning a backyard wedding can be very meaningful but it also requires a lot of planning and prep. Before you start planning, make sure the space is big enough for your guest list and check on restrictions if there is a HOA for example. Also, make sure you have a budget in mind and reliable people to assist and delegate tasks to with one person in charge to make decisions if you are not available. If it all seems overwhelming and you have some cash to spare, hiring a planner or coordinator may be a huge relief.

Planning
This is most likely going to be the most intense part of the backyard wedding process. Thinking of all that needs to come together from start to finish can appear overwhelming so be sure to give yourself enough time and surround yourself with a reliable team of friends or a professional planner. It helps to picture what your guests would experience on the day of your wedding when starting the planning process. First, they would need to find the place. Make sure you include a detailed map with directions and contact information, any special parking instructions, and start and end times (keep in mind your neighbors and HOA noise restrictions if applicable). They will need to park somewhere, so if ample parking is not available on the street you might need to get creative: one backyard wedding bride approached a nearby church and asked about making a donation in exchange for using their parking lot. If you do decide to have guests park in the neighborhood, be sure to let neighbors know of your event in advance.

Next, plan the layout of your backyard space. Set up the guest book sign in where your guests will enter and have some refreshments ready if you like. Have a ceremony location with seating and space for the reception, food, drinks, and cake. Also consider how much space your vendors will need and if they require outlets or other elements for their setup and equipment. Also make sure restrooms are accessible and have comfortable seating and ample space for a dance floor. Doing a scale drawing may help especially if you are renting tables and such, and also so vendors (DJ, catering, etc.) know where they can set up (show them the plans ahead of time and see if it works for them).

Prep
Speaking of vendors, make sure they all know how to get to your location (send them a map and a layout of your space), make sure they get there before hand and have the room and resources they need to do their job. Think about hiring wait staff and catering from a local restaurant to handle the meal and serving.

Another perhaps daunting task is preparing the space. Landscaping issues, safety issues (ample lighting and level surfaces) as well as access to restrooms are all things to take care of well in advance of your wedding day. Also, if you are planning on renting an event tent have it set up in advance. Basically, as much as you can have set up in advance of guests arriving, get it done! Tables and chairs, wedding arch and dĂ©cor, even flowers can be done a day ahead.   

Day of
You will probably be extremely busy on your wedding day, that’s why it is important to delegate decision making to your first in command. It is best to choose someone who isn’t a part of the bridal party and wont be called away frequently for photos or overly involved in the events of the day. Someone like a trusted aunt or friend who has experience organizing events, or is at the very least a trustworthy and reliable individual who has all the contacts for vendors, can easily be reached throughout the day, and can be trusted to make decisions for you when you are not available. Finally, backyard weddings are always uncharted territory so don’t sweat the small stuff! Enjoy the company of your family and friends in a setting that has special meaning to you and make many happy memories!

Congratulations and good luck to you from VW!

Helpful Articles:
“Throw a Budget-Friendly Backyard Bash”
“Top 10 Backyard Wedding and Reception Tips”

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Small Backyard Wedding on a Budget

Having a backyard wedding isn’t always the cheapest way to go. Even if you keep your guest list on the small side(up to 30 guests), expenses can quickly add up. That said, we’ve come up with a few tips to help you pull off a small stylish backyard wedding on a budget. Warning: a lot of DIY work is required but hey, you’ll get to handle all the details yourself –or at least hand them over to some very devoted friends & family! Don’t get discouraged! Venue costs can be a large part of your wedding budget, so think of the money you’ll save by skipping this all together! Well, sort of. . . wedding venues are designed to host events and they’ve got celebrations down to a tee. They’ve got the experience and expertise of countless events under their belt and a list of professionals they like and trust to get the job done right. Planning and executing your own backyard wedding will require a lot of time and effort, organization, and planning on your part but it can be done. You’ve j

How and When to Announce Your Engagement

Now that he’s planned all the romantic details of how to propose and has successfully swept you off your feet, your fiancĂ© can breathe a sigh of relief. . . or can he???!? If your parents have never met your future spouse, this can be an extreme source of anxiety. As parents, siblings, and close family are usually the first to hear the news of your engagement, it would be helpful to introduce him into conversations, prompting questions and opportunities to share more about him before bringing him over for a visit. Once you are all familiar, then you can feel reassured of you happy news being received more warmly, instead of it being a complete shock. For brides who have been married before and who have children it is important that your children and ex are informed first. After sharing the news with your parents and immediate family, most etiquette sources suggest calling relatives and close friends who live further away next. They also suggest calling anyone who

Mobile Manicure Services for Your Wedding and Bachelorette Parties

There are several services on a bride’s mind and checklist in the months and days leading up to her wedding. It can get tiring running around to tastings, dress fittings, and other appointments. So why not take advantage of a service that comes to you! Mobile Manicures Ventura is unique in bringing their manicure and pedicure technicians to your wedding or bachelorette party. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the pampering and company of your closet friends! We had the chance to interview JoDee Renteria, owner of Mobile Manicures Ventura . Below you’ll find more information about her company and services.   I started this mobile service more than three years ago because, let's face it, no one is doing it! My business fills the special needs of two groups of people. Number one, Senior Citizens who can no longer get out and about or are bedridden, even in hospital. Number two, Bachelorettes and Wedding parties. The great thing about the latter is I hire a few licensed techni