Create The Backyard Wedding of Your Dreams While Staying Under Budget
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, not to mention expensive. For those on a budget but want to create the best event possible, here are some tips for having a beautiful backyard wedding that doesn’t break the bank.
To help you plan your dream backyard wedding, use these tips and tricks for creating an affordable yet elegant ceremony and reception. The best part about a backyard wedding is that you have more space than most indoor events. With more space comes more options. Use these tips to make your backyard ceremony and reception as beautiful as they can possibly be.
Budget Friendly Tips
First and foremost, start with your budget. To get the best bang for your buck, it’s important to have a clear idea of how much you can spend. When it comes to budgeting for an event like this, keep in mind that the wedding doesn’t just happen on the day of. You’ll need to invest in decorating the ceremony site, making invitations and sending them out to guests, and preparing food for your guests before the reception.
The good thing about a backyard wedding is it already starts budget-friendly. You’re saving a ton just by not renting a venue in the first place. While planning your wedding, there are many ways to ensure you stay under budget without sacrificing style or comfort. Below are some micro, general tips for budgeting for a wedding. From there, we will dive into some of the basic budget areas!
Budget tips while planning your backyard wedding:
- get a good understanding of your budget
- identify your most important investments
- consider what you can borrow instead of rent or purchase
- inquire about trading services or products in exchange for vendor services
Decorating and Decorations
If you are on a budget, decorating your backyard wedding is one of the first things to consider. The good news is that you can make your wedding look as beautiful as it needs to be by using natural resources. For example, you can use branches and pine cones to create a rustic feel. It’s also important to note by getting married in your backyard, you will naturally have a beautiful backdrop.
When it comes to decorating on a budget, remember less is more. Clear vases like these work really well for adding to your decor without breaking the bank. Choose decorations that give you more bang for your buck, like outdoor string lights or these LED fairy mason jar lights.
Food and Drink
A backyard wedding is a great opportunity to have something a little different, especially for couples on a budget. You can have a watermelon cutting ceremony or make a themed ice cream sundae bar for your guests. One of the best ways to ensure that you have enough food and drink is pre-planning. When you decide on the menu, make sure that it includes everything your guests will need. That way, you’ll be able to show up with what’s needed, and the rest of your plan will fall into place without worry!
Another important tip for having an affordable menu is to use ingredients that are in season. This way, you’ll know exactly how much you’ll spend on food and drink for the day (and your savings would be even bigger!). Try dressing up simple and low-cost snacks in a fancy way. Check out our blog post on creative ways to serve food for more tips.
Music and Entertainment
At a backyard wedding, you have more options for entertainment. Which means you can have a flexible budget. Depending on the size of your backyard, you could either have a DJ or live music playing. Another option would be to have a playlist playing at all times, which would cost nothing! If music and entertainment are high on your want list, consider having a vendor for part of the evening to save money. For the times you do not have either a DJ or live music, you can have a free playlist playing in the background.
If a playlist option sounds appealing for your reception, consider making a list of your favorite songs and sending it to a professional sound mixer for editing. From there, they can mix the songs together and create a custom playlist for a lower fee than DJ’ing your wedding in person. This is becoming a more popular option over time. You can explore freelance sound editors on platforms like Fiverr.
Flowers and Florals
If you’re on a budget, consider using greenery instead of floral arrangements. This will save you money on flowers, and if done correctly, it can look just as good. You might also consider succulents. They are the perfect way for gardeners to add instant beauty without worrying about deadheading or watering them every day.
Another way to save money on flowers is to find creative ways for guests to contribute their own bouquets. For example, ask your family members or even hire a professional florist from your event site if no one has time before the wedding day. Dried flowers are also a budget-friendly option. You can explore dried flowers on Amazon, like dried lavender and/or pampas grass, to create DIY bouquets. Plus, with this option, you can keep your wedding flowers forever!
Transportation
When having a backyard wedding, you may require guest transportation. Depending on your home, guests may need to park elsewhere and then have transportation to your home and/or ceremony site. The good news about transportation is that it can be a budget-friendly option! Consider renting a van driver for a certain block of hours. You can communicate to your guest the scheduled pick-up and drop-off times for them to use accordingly.
Another option is to bargain renting parking space around your neighborhood. You can always ask your neighbors if you can rent their driveway space for a day, assign it to a guest, leave a sign in the driveway and give your guest the address. This may sound like a little extra work, but this can really save you a ton when it comes to wedding day transportation.
Steps towards staying under budget
Planning a backyard wedding can be stressful and expensive, just like any wedding. However, with a little creativity and planning, it can be possible to stay under budget without sacrificing style! The good news is backyard weddings are already somewhat budget-friendly. And any expenses you do put into your home can be seen as true home investments. That’s what makes a backyard wedding so special!
If you are ready to get creative and plan your stunning, budget-friendly backyard wedding, let us help! Download our free Backyard Wedding Planning Notion board template and start to organize your budget today! Don’t let the concept of a budget keep you from having a stunning wedding. Know that it’s completely possible to create a beautiful day in the place that means the most to you!
