The Ultimate Guide For Getting Married At Home
The backyard wedding is the perfect alternative for anyone who wants to have a more intimate and personal event. It’s perfect for those couples who want to spend their money on important things- like travel and honeymoon adventures. But sometimes, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to planning your backyard wedding. There are so many decisions to make, from your ceremony and reception location to figuring out how you will accommodate your guests. That’s why we’ve come up with these helpful tips for you! Here are 7 tips to make your backyard wedding a success!
Why have a backyard wedding?
A backyard wedding is often a less expensive option for couples who want to save money on their wedding. Not only does it mean you don’t have to pay for a hotel, but you also won’t have the expense of renting a space and all of the decorations that go with it.
You can also get creative when planning your backyard wedding. There are so many different ways to set up your ceremony and reception areas, which means there are unlimited possibilities for you to customize your event. Depending on what direction you want to take with your theme, you can dress it up or down. And if you want, you can even leave some furniture out so guests can sit around and enjoy the evening together.
It’s also important to remember that there are fewer people in attendance at a backyard wedding, which means less stress for everyone involved in the planning process.
01. Decide where to have your ceremony
Deciding where to have your ceremony is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when it comes to planning your backyard wedding. You will want to pick a close enough location for family and friends to stay nearby, but far enough away so there is ample space for your event. You will also want to consider the time of day your ceremony is and where the sun will be. Lastly, pay attention to any restrictions or permits needed for the area you choose.
If you like the idea of having your ceremony at home, make sure there are no power lines or anything else that could interfere with getting a clear signal on your wireless microphone or Bluetooth devices. If you live in an apartment building, make sure you know what kinds of restrictions there may be with noise levels.
Finally, if you consider having an outdoor venue for your ceremony that requires guests to travel by car, think about whether this would be more convenient than parking near the venue and walking the distance in their formal attire.
02. Figure out logistics for your backyard wedding
The first thing to decide when planning a backyard wedding is the logistics: it’s very important to figure out how guests will get there and where you will have your ceremony and reception. Some neighborhoods have parking restrictions and HOA regulations. Be sure to explore any of these while planning for logistics.
Another important thing to plan is the day-of logistics: what time should the ceremony be? What time should guests arrive? Where should they park? How long should they stay? And what about night-time events like dancing? You want to make sure all of these details are taken care of so your event runs smoothly on the big day.
03. Figure out what lighting your backyard wedding needs
One of the first things you need to do is figure out what lighting your backyard wedding needs. You will want to make sure that you have enough light set up for the duration of your event, but also not too much so it doesn’t interfere with your guests’ enjoyment of the evening. One suggestion is to have outdoor string lighting like this throughout your backyard to give enough exposure but still have a dreamy feel.
You can also find accent lighting to place throughout your backyard like these solar garden lights. Outdoor lighting is one of the best ways to truly uplevel your backyard wedding when it comes to reception time. It also eliminates the need to rent a bunch of equipment for lighting that you have to return and struggle to put up.
04. Deciding on entertainment options
The entertainment for your backyard wedding may be one of the more difficult decisions to make. You want to provide enjoyable and memorable activities for your guests, but you also want to stay within budget. This is why it’s important to think about what kind of entertainment will be most appropriate for your guests. The best way to find out? Ask them! Ask friends and family members what types of activities they enjoy, or use social media platforms like Facebook to ask questions about what type of entertainment might work best for you. The more information you have, the better decisions you can make.
If your backyard is big enough, you can consider entertainment options such as a local band! Whatever entertainment option you decide, be sure it follows the regulations of your HOA. Informing your neighbors of any louder and longer nights can also be a good idea!
05. Plan wedding attire comfortable for the outdoors
When planning your backyard wedding be sure the attire is comfortable. You will most likely be spending a good amount of time outside so don’t wear anything that’s too restrictive, uncomfortable, or shows sweat easily. However, this doesn’t mean you cannot look fancy! There are plenty of wedding attire options that can make you look and feel upscale but also be appropriate for the setting. Explore bridal gowns and bridal party dresses at BHDLN. They have a ton of options, perfect for a backyard scene for both brides and bridal parties.
06. Note backyard wedding on your invitations
Don’t forget to mention your wedding is at your home on your invitations. This can set the stage for guests to follow good housekeeping rules and even bring a home warming and a wedding gift! If you have any housekeeping rules that you’re having guests following, your invitation is a great place to include those. For example, you can include a “kick-out” time. Make sure you include the address of where you are having your ceremony and reception, as well as any other pertinent information.
Explore Minted for your backyard wedding invitations! Minted crafts together entire suits of wedding invitations as well as one-off invitation products. These are our favorite Minted wedding invitations!
07. Plan for outdoor elements
One of the most common mistakes when planning a backyard wedding is not accounting for outdoor elements. Make sure to plan for things like insects, wind, and rain. There are many ways you can do this- from hanging mosquito nets over tables to using fans to keep bugs away, or even renting a tent and tables if it’s likely that it will rain. If possible, try to avoid holding your ceremony outdoors during the peak bug season in order to save yourself some hassle! An outdoor tent like this can also come in handy!
ready to make your backyard wedding a success?
A backyard wedding is a wonderful way to celebrate your marriage in the place that means most to you. You can dress your backyard wedding up or down depending on your style. Mostly, backyard weddings can be a lot of fun! And can blow your guest away! When planning your backyard wedding, consider these 7 tips and explore more of our tips for extra guidance!
Want to make sure you’re not forgetting anything for your backyard wedding? Download our Free Backyard Wedding Checklist! This checklist acts as your backyard and home inspection sheet while getting ready for the big day. Download it for free and trust that you have it all covered!
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