How to Plan a Backyard Wedding
Did you know this year is going to be a bustling year for weddings? Expect there to be twice as many weddings this year than there were before. This is because a lot of couples had to postpone their weddings due to the ongoing pandemic.
Many people want to keep their weddings at home and still practice social distancing protocols. Others prefer a wedding close to home to keep it romantic and intimate.
Don't worry if you don't know how to plan a backyard wedding. We've got a few backyard wedding tips below to help you get started. Read our in-depth list of essential steps to follow to plan the best wedding this year:
Finalize Your Guest List
When you send out invitations, make sure to include an RSVP. Remind the people you invite to respond to that RSVP before a certain date. This will help you finalize your backyard wedding plan and budget.
The number of guests will determine how much you'll need for catering. It will determine how many tables you need, how much memorabilia to prepare, and how many bathroom rentals you'll need to secure.
You won't be able to move on with the rest of your backyard wedding checklist without a definitive guest list.
Set a Budget
When you plan a backyard wedding, you need to first set a budget. As soon as you know how many guests will attend, finalize your budget. This amount should cover the following:
- Catering
- Your dress
- Photography and videos
- Essential backyard wedding rentals
- Generator
- Decor
- Legal fees and permits for a backyard wedding
- Professional fees
Set both a hard limit and a soft limit for your budget. A soft limit is the general ceiling for your expenses. Keep it flexible in case you need to make adjustments.
A hard limit is the absolute highest amount you can spend on something. Never go over your hard limits so you don't break the bank.
Get the Right Backyard Wedding Dress
Speaking of spending limits, one of your main budget priorities is the bride's wedding gown. A backyard wedding should be a laidback, comfortable experience. This doesn't mean, however, that you can get lazy and settle for any random wedding dress.
Most backyard weddings have a folksy atmosphere. Expect a lot of fairy lights, warm tones and colors, and wood. Pick a wedding dress that pairs well with this kind of aesthetic.
For most backyard weddings, you can get away with a traditional farmhouse-style design. This includes dresses with old-fashioned ruffles and laces.
Secure Your Energy Source
Even a small backyard wedding requires more energy than your house regularly consumes. There will be dozens of guests, after all. Many of them will want to charge their phones or cameras.
You'll also need enough energy outdoors to power all the lights, cameras, and sound systems. To make sure you never run into a sudden power outage, include a generator in your list of important wedding rentals.
Rent a generator even if you might not use it. It's better to have one and not need it than to need a generator and not have one.
Backup In Case of Rain and Snow
Don't forget to have a backup option while planning a backyard wedding. Even when the weather forecast says it'll be a nice and sunny day or clear evening, there's always the risk of unexpected rain and snow.
The easiest and quickest backup option is to get a large outdoor tent. This is easy to set up as long as you include it in your initial plans. Plot how you'll put it up in case it rains.
If that doesn't seem appealing to you, consider a backyard wedding near a barn. You can move the wedding inside in case of weather emergencies.
Backyard Lighting Matters
A backyard wedding requires sufficient lighting, especially if you'll start late in the afternoon. You'll get to enjoy the golden hour right before sunset, which is great for photographs and videos. However, as evening sets, you'll need to set up lights around your backyard.
Bright spotlights aren't the ideal choices. The bride, groom, and guests won't feel comfortable under such harsh lights.
Use fairy lights or fairy bulbs to light up the area. To keep the center stage lit, use studio lights instead. Whenever needed, use a diffuser to soften the light.
Bathroom Rentals
Remember that a wedding involves dozens of people. You'll have dozens of guests, organizers, and hired talents. Don't expect your home's bathroom to accommodate all these people.
Once you know how many people will attend, secure portable bathrooms. You can get these from backyard wedding rentals and suppliers. Even two or three portable bathrooms can suffice for a small backyard wedding.
Not sure how many portable bathrooms to rent? This is where our next tip comes in handy: don't hesitate to hire a wedding or event organizer.
Hire a Wedding Organizer
Hiring a wedding organizer for your backyard wedding can seem like a big deal. You might find it unnecessary. Never forget how frantic organizing a wedding can become!
After all, you need to spend time hunting a dress, lights, decorations, and caterers. Even when you've got all that done, you need to look for musicians, a sound system you can rent, a tent for rain, and a power generator.
That's only the beginning. Think about all the phone calls, emails, and drives you'll make to organize a single evening's event. It's a lot of stress and a lot to manage.
Hiring a wedding organizer takes the majority of the stress off your shoulders.
Now You Know How to Plan a Backyard Wedding
Learning how to plan a backyard wedding can seem overwhelming and confusing. There are a lot of factors to consider. There are a lot of things that could go wrong.
However, this backyard wedding guide breaks it down for you. Start with your budget and guest list. Secure the necessities and work with an organizer.
Of course, you'll also need to find the perfect men's wedding ring! That's where we can help! Feel free to get in touch with us today!