Backyard Wedding Ideas

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You want to be comfortable at your wedding…that’s why you chose a backyard, right? So, make sure to set whatever mood you’re after!  Do you want it to be playful and fun with lots of lawn games, intimate and cozy with string lights, or do you want more of a daytime garden party affair? Consider the mood and theme you’re after and then you can start to figure out ways to tie it all together.

Set the Mood for a Dreamy Backyard Wedding

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What time of the year are you having your wedding? Will it require renting heaters or misters? We’re guessing those pesky mosquitoes didn’t make their way onto your invite list.  Citronella candles might come in handy! Maybe you want to consider supplying hand fans, blankets, or umbrellas. Tip: these could also double as favors for your guests. But no matter the time of year, always plan for rain. A large white tent to cover the space can save the day.

Consider the Weather + Time of Year

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Determine where the ceremony will take place and where guests will sit or stand. Maybe there’s a large tree that can serve as a focal point — or are you working with an open grassy space?  To set the ‘stage,’ you can frame the space with anything from florals to DIY installations. We’ve seen couples use old barn doors, tons of leafy greens, and even very minimal spaces with pretty potted plants. Figure out where you want the ceremony to happen and then work from there.

Choose a Focal Point for the Backyard Wedding Ceremony

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A traditional venue comes with all the necessities that you don’t normally think about: chairs, plates, tables, flatware, and glasses for the number of guests you have.  While some couples opt to search vintage stores and Goodwill to create an eclectic mismatched design, others choose to rent. You can rent anything from lounge pieces, gorgeous glassware, or necessities to make the tablescape just right.

Consider a Few Rentals to Make it Special

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You don’t want to be scrambling the day before to get the yard ready.  We’d suggest starting to get the yard in shape MONTHS before. Whether this means some heavy weeding, laying grass, or planting rows of florals, all of these little preparations will just add to the magic and you can embrace the natural décor.

Get the Yard in Shape

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For a small wedding, one bathroom is probably fine. But if you’re expecting 20+ people, look into renting portable bathrooms. While this might not sound like the chicest thing…you can actually rent nice restroom trailers!  This will alleviate any queueing up for the bathroom and prevent people from continually asking you where the bathroom is.

Make Sure the Home Has Necessary Amenities

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Valet and parking! This is HUGE. Consider where people are going to park—is there ample space on your block for 20+ cars?  See if you can find a nearby parking lot (perhaps a school closed on the weekend or a public park) where guests can leave their car. You could encourage guests to Uber if they aren’t coming from too far…or, help make things run really smoothly by hiring a valet or shuttle service.

Make Sure the Home Has Necessary Amenities

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Let your neighbors know in advance that you’ll be hosting a one-time special event. If they have any issues on the day of, provide them with the name and phone number of who to contact.  Your neighbors are much more likely to let things slide (and possibly offer to help) if you fill them in. You don’t want to have to worry about noise complaints. A few more things to check on: fire codes, noise ordinances, zoning issues, and permits. For smaller gatherings, this usually 

Inform Neighbors About Your Backyard Wedding

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isn’t an issue, but if you’re expecting 50+ guests, we’d suggest looking into these things. Some places are stricter than others, so it’s better to be prepared than run the risk of having your event shut down.

Inform Neighbors About Your Backyard Wedding

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With the sound system and lighting comes the need for an added source of power. We’d advise getting a real generator so you don’t lose power right when things start to heat up.  The last thing you want to deal with is a power outage in the middle of your wedding! Typically, the existing power from your house will not cut it for professional-grade rentals and equipment.

Power Up for Sound + Lighting

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Do you want a grazing table of sorts or different food stations all around the backyard? If you’ve got a favorite restaurant with a food truck, those can be a ton of fun. If you’re going with a caterer who will prep in your kitchen, they’ll need to be made aware of cooking facilities ahead of time.  For a backyard wedding, your first choice might be a BBQ-style meal, ordering large quantities of food to be delivered, or food trucks.

Bring in Some Good Eats

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As for drinks—are you going to have a bartender or let guests craft cocktails themselves? Another option is to self-serve from a selection of wine, beer, or soda.

Bring in Some Good Eats

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One of the NUMBER ONE things we hear from GWS couples after the big day is, “Hire a coordinator!”  Coordinators make everything run smoothly. They direct people when and where to be, they make sure everything is on time and know when and where to cut the cake.

Hire Outside Help

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