You don’t need a lot of money to create a perfect backyard wedding. Transform your backyard into your dream wedding venue with these must-have tips and tricks.
OMG, you’re engaged!
Excitement runs through your veins…and so does horror. Why? The average cost of a wedding is more than $33,000.
With such a whopping price tag, you may decide not to get married after all!
But you don’t have to give up so easily. You CAN plan a wedding on a budget, and a gorgeous one at that. One of the best ways to save money is to opt for a backyard wedding.
What are the benefits of planning a backyard wedding? And how can you transform your backyard into a wedding wonderland? Read on for the 411.
Benefits of Backyard Weddings
What’s not to love about a backyard wedding? Here are just some of the amazing benefits:
- It’s intimate
- It’s convenient
- No venue cost
- Freedom to select any date
- Total control over everything (from decor to dancing)
- You can invite your pets
Sounds like a dream right? But even if you’re opting for an outdoor wedding, expenses can start to add up quickly. Keep reading to find out how to plan a backyard wedding on a budget.
The Logistics of a Backyard Wedding
Having total control over the wedding plans is a huge benefit for weddings in backyard gardens. But you do have more responsibility when it comes to the logistics. Let’s take a look at 5 essentials to make your outdoor shindig a success.
The Paperwork
Before you start booking vendors, check to see if you need a permit. Especially if your guest list is long. It’s always good to inform the neighbors of your plans too.
When planning a backyard wedding, you should also get insurance for the big day. Contact your home insurance company to see what you already have covered. And contact each vendor you plan to use to check their insurance details.
Better safe than sorry, after all.
Power Hungry
Backyard weddings require more power than your home would normally use. To save your home from blowing a switch (or worse) rent generators to accommodate the extra power needed.
But before hiring a generator, find out exactly how much power you will use. Make sure to take into consideration any extra lighting, the sound system, and food prep equipment your catering company will use.
Posh Port-o-potty
If your wedding is very intimate with less than 20 guests, your household restrooms will be enough. But if it’s more than 20 people, additional toilet facilities are crucial.
While a traditional port-o-potty is all you need, you can hire upscale trailers to complement your wedding. These trailers include lights, mirrors, and sinks which makes it a lot comfier for your guests.
Trash Talk
A big group will produce a lot of trash. Make sure you rent bins to collect it. Some caterers include food waste management in their package, so be sure to check
You don’t want overflowing stinky bins spoiling the aesthetic of the wedding!
A Lush Paradise
If you’re planning a backyard wedding, advance preparation is key when it comes to your garden. You need plenty of time to turn your boring backyard into a lush paradise. That means planting lavish flowers, opulent bushes, and most of all, a pristine lawn.
If you start planning a backyard wedding well in advance, you can save a lot of dollars on gardening supplies. For example, seeds are a lot cheaper than buying fully grown plants.
To get your garden up to scratch in time, order here for garden sod and mulch. With their services, your plain backyard can go from drab to fab in a matter of months!
Remember the Rentals
One of the downsides to backyard weddings is that you have to arrange all the furniture and more. But on the upside, you may be able to grab a few bargains or repurpose furniture to suit your needs. If you can’t find anything cheap, try renting.
Make sure not to miss these things off your list:
- Essentials – Generator, portable restrooms, trash bins, food prep area, and lighting.
- Ceremony – Chairs, backdrop, and decor.
- Reception – Tent, chairs, tables, bar, place settings, table linen, dance floor, centerpieces, and decor.
- Extras – Photobooth, guest book, and table plan.
Don’t forget some things have a double purpose, such as the chairs for the ceremony and reception. Just be sure everyone knows the plan if furniture needs rearranging.
Organic Decor
If you’re planning to do your whole wedding outside, ceremony and all, you need a gorgeous backdrop. You might be able to use a natural feature in your garden. Or you can create a flower arch or floral backdrop to create a focal point.
When planning a backyard wedding, good lighting is essential. Especially as the night goes on. It’s also the best way to create a mood for your wedding.
Twinkly holiday lights in trees, lanterns, chandeliers, and candles will add romance and mystery to your backyard. As well as mood lighting, make sure to add enough light to keep your guests safe from tripping hazards.
If you’re hiring a marquee tent, decorate it with gauze drapes, floral vines, and greenery from your garden. On the outside, suspend glorious chandeliers from trees, hang home-made wreaths, and create a cozy lounge area.
If your garden features large open spaces, use them for classy games. Such as croquet or lawn bowling.
Whatever decor you choose, make sure to take advantage of the glorious natural backdrop of your backyard. Organic decor grown in your garden is the best way to save money on your decorations.
Prepare for the Worst
Even if you’ve planned your wedding down to a T, you can’t control the weather. Be ready with a plan B, just in case.
If the weather turns unseasonably cold or hot, can you move your party inside? Can you prepare a marquee tent to shade your guests from the heat or shield them from the rain? Do you have fans available to keep your guests cool or heaters if it gets chilly?
You can also provide your guests with the essentials they need to beat the weather. Such as umbrellas for rain or insect repellent and sunscreen for sunny days. You can even double-up these essentials as wedding favors.
The Great Outdoors
As you can see, a backyard wedding can save you a butt load of dollars. All you need is a stellar plan and a big imagination, and your big day will be unforgettable.
For more gardening tips and hacks to turn your backyard from drab to fab for your wedding day, check out the “Garden” section of our blog.
