There are so many incredible reasons to have a backyard wedding but how do you go about planning one?
While a backyard wedding is different from a traditional wedding at a set venue, there are still various steps you will need to take to ensure it goes off without a hitch.
As an intimate wedding and elopement photographer, I love backyard weddings. You can skip the hassle of finding and booking a wedding venue, and you have so much more freedom and creativity when it comes to planning how you want your wedding to look.
Let’s dive into more about how you can plan your dream backyard wedding and the important questions that you’ll want to answer as you start planning.
How Much Does a Backyard Wedding Cost?
First, let’s discuss and answer a question that is either already on your mind or will definitely be as you start planning your wedding: How much does a backyard wedding cost?
The great thing about a backyard wedding is that you can keep your wedding within your budget and decide on how much you want to spend. Unlike a traditional wedding venue with a set price, a backyard wedding can be as lavish and extravagant as you want it to be.
Or you can have a wedding that is simpler, smaller, and more intimate. On average, you could spend anywhere from $5000 to $15000 on a backyard wedding, depending on vendors, rentals, decor, etc.
How to Plan a Backyard Wedding
Decide on where you’re going to have your ceremony
One of the first things you’ll need to do when planning your backyard wedding is deciding where you’ll have your ceremony.
It’s ideal to have your ceremony underneath large trees that provide shade or on a porch so that you will be comfortable and not have to worry about the sun being in your eyes.
Also, you’ll want to think about the layout of your ceremony for your guests—will they be sitting directly underneath the sun? Are you going to rent a tent for both your ceremony and reception for your guests? Will your guests have access to any shade?
If you are planning a summer backyard wedding, you’ll want to make sure your guests are comfortably accommodated. This may involve providing sunscreen and sunglasses, having a hydration station, providing umbrellas and paper hand fans, etc.
Decide on where you’re going to have your reception
Just like with your ceremony, you’ll want to figure out where you’re going to have your reception. Are you going to have everyone sit at picnic tables underneath string lights? Host your reception in a building on your property?
Figuring out the logistics for both your ceremony and reception is one of the most important steps of the planning process for your backyard wedding, as you’ll want to make sure you have enough space for yourself and your guests and the capacity to host a backyard wedding.
Have a Plan B
With any outdoor wedding, it’s always good to have a backup plan. Weather can be unpredictable. You’ll have enough to be thinking about on the day of your wedding and something you won’t want to have to worry about figuring out is finding a whole new location.
Rentals
You’ll need to figure out what you’re going to rent for your wedding to make sure that you have everything you need.
Here’s a starting point for what rentals you’ll want to add to your backyard wedding checklist:
- Chairs for both the ceremony and reception
- Tables
- A generator
- Lighting
- Trash and recycling bins
- A dance floor
- A tent
- Decor
- Restroom facilities (if you don’t want everyone using the bathrooms in your house)
Catering and alcohol services
Since you won’t be having your backyard wedding at a traditional wedding venue, you’ll have to find your own catering team and bartenders.
You’ll want to have a conversation with the caterers you’re considering beforehand about the space they will have available to work with and if there will be any potential issues.
When it comes to alcohol, you can always supply the alcohol for your wedding and plan to hire a bartending service. Always make sure you look into permits and requirements for serving to make sure you are covered.
Hire your vendors
Hiring vendors is going to help you be fully able to enjoy your wedding day without having to worry about all the weight and responsibility being on your shoulders. Vendors will help you figure out and plan all the small details or handle any issues that arise.
Here’s a list of vendors I’d recommend hiring for your backyard wedding so that you can have the best experience possible:
- A wedding planner
- A wedding photographer
- Rentals
- Florist
- DJ
- Caterer
- Bartender
- Transportation
- Clean up crew
Prep your yard
The final step on this checklist is to get your yard ready for your backyard wedding. This can take a lot of time, so you’ll want to make sure that it isn’t at the end of your to-do list.
Other important questions that you’ll want to answer as you plan your backyard wedding:
- Will you need extra restroom facilities?
- Where will you be getting your power from?
- Are you going to have an area for guests to mingle? Where will it be?
- What is your plan for garbage?
- If you are having a wedding during a warmer month of the year, will you have a space where guests can cool down?
- Do you need to get a permit? This might not have crossed your mind when deciding you wanted to have a backyard wedding, but if you’re having your wedding at your home, you might need a special permit.
- Where are you planning to have your guests park? Do you need to get a special permit for parking?
Sabrina and Ian’s Backyard Wedding
Sabrina and Ian envisioned their wedding day including a short and sweet ceremony in their favorite place (their home), followed by an intimate dinner party and cutting loose on the dance floor with their friends.
They knew they wanted to feel relaxed and have fun on their day, and they wanted their guests to feel like they were at home. Sabrina and Ian had a small guest list so that they could spend lots of time with the people who meant the most to them.
For their wedding, they rented a large tent and a dance floor. The tent was decorated with string lights and white lanterns, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
They also had an epic charcuterie board, a food truck, a bunch of mismatched chairs, and vintage plates and glasses that made their wedding so much fun and unforgettable.
Ready to Plan Your Backyard Wedding?
I hope you found this guide helpful for getting started with planning your backyard wedding.
A backyard wedding is such a fun and unique way to say “I do.” While it does come with its own set of challenges that you have to navigate, a backyard wedding promises to be both special and unforgettable.
And…if you’re still looking for the perfect photographer, I’m here to capture every moment of your backyard wedding with a whole lot of heart you can contact me here or learn more about my elopement and wedding services here.
