When it comes to weddings, there really is no place like home. Maybe your parents have an amazing lakeside house, or Grandma has that perfect homey cottage. But odds are your childhood homestead isn’t quite prepared for 50 wedding guests, 15 cars, 10 tables, and 1 happy couple. Although it may be more work than you anticipated, you won’t regret saying your vows in the place that means the most to you. It’s all about being prepared for what it takes to throw a wedding in your very own backyard.
But before you start that preparation, it should be pointed out that outdoor events are not for everyone. If you’re the type of person who loves surprises, has a spirit for adventure and can make that great cup of lemonade when life gives you the occasional lemon, then you are the perfect candidate for a backyard wedding. Outdoor events are, by definition, subject to elements that cannot be totally controlled. That being said, it’s important to note that risks exist at any event, regardless of location, and that an at-home wedding is well worth those risks.
You’ll Need to Plan Early
You want to give yourself enough time to properly prepare for your guests and ease the burden on yourself. Despite the stigma that backyard weddings are easier to pull off than those held at traditional venues, they still take a lot of careful planning to create. And careful planning takes time! Early prep not only gives you that extra cushion to aid in problem solving, but it also helps to make planning more of an enjoyable process than a stressful one.
You Need Room to Say “I do”
Does your setup have enough space for all your guests? If not, you may need to trim your list or look into alternate venues. If you plan to use a combination of indoor and outdoor space, know that if the weather takes a turn for the worst, everyone will need to fit indoors. Be sure not to mistake overcrowded for cozy, and make reasonable decisions according to the space you have. When making these decisions, consider +1 guests, couples or families with children, and the possible uninvited visitor. As a spacial guide, allocate six to ten square-feet of floor space per guest for row-seating.
You Don’t Have to Do It All Yourself
Since you’re so accustomed to your home, hiring a wedding coordinator may give you a fresh perspective on the property and what you can do with it. They also offer the assurance of experience for those issues that pop up out of nowhere and help to lighten the stressful load of your big day planning.
If you’re looking to plan a stellar event on a budget, try networking! Do you know someone who knows a florist? Do you have a friend who’s a talented baker or has an eye for exterior design? You may be surprised at the talents and connections held by those in your sphere of influence and the price cuts those connections can afford you.
You’ll Need to Tidy Up Your Lawn
Your yard will be on display, so give the space a manicured look. Whether that means dragging out the lawnmower or hiring a professional, you’ll want your lawn to be in peak form. As for chairs, tables and the dance floor — you don’t want any of these to be on uneven ground. Make sure that as you’re beautifying your yard you are also checking it for unleveled ground and other safety hazards such as potholes.
During the weeks prior to the event make sure none of Mother Nature’s less popular friends have moved into your neighborhood. If the cake was to be made where a new colony of ants has moved in, changes will need to be made. Look for signs of bee or wasp nests and consider spraying table legs, and only the legs, with bug spray to keep insects at bay. Citronella candles can also help keep swarms away.
Your Wedding Officiant May Not Comply
Make sure your wedding officiant will give you his or her blessing at your chosen location, some aren’t able to perform the ceremony outside their place of worship because it’s not recognized by the church. You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to find a licensed officiant who can and will do the honors.
Renting vs Borrowing
Your must-have items are tables, chairs, dinnerware, napkins, table linens, place settings and bar ware. You may want to consider renting portable bathrooms as well. You will want to provide enough accommodations so everyone can be seated for the ceremony. This may mean renting chairs or benches, but the great thing about backyard weddings is that there are no constrictions on what you can do so renting isn’t your only option. You can borrow patio sets from friends for a quirky mismatched feel or follow one creative couple’s idea to seat guests on bales of hay cushioned and covered with decorative linens for comfort and style at their rustic country wedding.
You’ll Need to Prepare For Good Eatin’
If you’re hiring a vendor or caterer, plan for them to drop by for a visit in order for them to determine what extras they’ll need to bring. Likewise, if you’re sticking to good ‘ole southern comfort food staples like barbecue and home-made side dishes you want to make sure that your kitchen is well equipped to prepare enough food for all your guests. You’ll also need to make sure the food is kept at the right temperature, using chafing dishes or external heaters. Additionally, make sure to have enough space in your fridge or external coolers to hold food needing to be stored at lower temperatures.
You May Need a Permit to Party
You might not have considered this, but large events require permits, even when they’re held in your own backyard! Be sure to contact local authorities to find out if there are any noise ordinances or restrictions. If your party won’t be that big, still take the time to check with your homeowners association and neighbors to get that final “okay”.
Re-use, Re-purpose and DIY to Save on Decorations
What makes your home unique — an elegant dining room, a massive oak tree in your backyard, a gorgeous lawn, or a spectacular view? Play up that feature to create a homey feel and an original event. Play with outdoor lighting possibilities such as garden lamps, paper lanterns, and tiny white lights strung on branches to create a stunning atmosphere. Using lights overhead will “lower the sky” and create a more intimate space.
But you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get this kind of effect. Ask friends, shop garage sales and Craigslist, and take inventory of items you already have that can be dressed up or used in creative ways. Ribbon and tulle can be your best friend in transforming the drab into fab. Remember though, that backyard weddings are best when kept simple, especially in regard to color scheme and decorative choices.
A few ideas include thrift store vases to house flowers as centerpieces, paper umbrella parasols to shade guest from the sun and double as favors, and handmade wooden signs to direct guests and double as a fun family project before the event.
You’ll Need to Consider Crowd Flow
Creating movement or flow is important at backyard events that may inspire creative use of limited space. A good tip to know for issues of crowding in one area is that food and beverage can be used as strategic magnets to pull guests from one area to another. You could set the bar away from the main entrance so that there are no traffic jams, or use beverage stations to shepherd guests as they arrive.
If using two separate areas, take notes from one couple with a small, multi-decked backyard. They held the ceremony on one deck, and set up appetizers and a martini bar on the other deck to move the group after the ceremony. While the guests were enjoying the cocktail party, the ceremony deck was reset for dinner. Once pictures were taken and the newlywed couple had a chance to mingle with their guests, the flow naturally pulled everyone back to where the food had “magically appeared”. Next, while the guests enjoyed their feast, the cocktail deck was cleared to make way for a dessert display and transformed to accommodate the dancing and festivities that would take the party into the night. These types of logistics are critical to creating a seamless flow throughout your event.
You May Have to Include Your Neighbors
Communication is key: let them know of your wedding plans well in advance; they may be planning to host a party the same night. Make sure they know the ceremony time so nobody’s mowing their lawn during your vows, and ask if they’d offer their driveways for extra parking space.
Don’t Forget About Parking
Unfortunately, you can’t rely on neighbors’ generosity completely. Make sure there’s enough street space for parking, or arrange for guests to park at a nearby lot like at a school or church. One cost-efficient couple contacted a local church and arranged to make a donation in exchange for the use of their parking lot for the day.
Have a Plan B That’s as Good as Plan A
Unexpected weather can bring about unique challenges. Always plan for the worst by making sure guests will be covered in the event of a sudden downpour. Arrange to have the ceremony at a house of worship in case of rain — make sure to have an insert in each invitation that gives the alternate address and a number to call to find out if the ceremony has moved. Stifling heat can pose just as many problems as rain, so make sure ceremony chairs aren’t in direct sunlight and that there are plenty of shaded areas, cool drinks, and even hand fans available.
It’s All Worth It
We want you to be prepared, not scared! Having a wedding at home is an amazing idea, and an event your family will always remember. The best thing about having your wedding at home is how special it can be because it will reflect who you are individually and as a couple. Nothing compares to adding your dream wedding to the list of other great moments experienced at your home. 
