Backyard Weddings: A Dream Come True?

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but hosting a wedding in your backyard can be a great way to save money and have more freedom in the planning process. Backyard weddings allow you to avoid the high costs of traditional venues, which can easily exceed $5,000, and give you the flexibility to plan the wedding exactly how you want it. However, there are several important considerations to keep in mind when planning a backyard wedding.

One key factor is the size of your guest list. Backyard weddings are typically better suited for smaller, intimate weddings, as larger guest lists can present challenges with space, parking, and restroom facilities. It's important to ensure you have sufficient space in your backyard to accommodate all your guests comfortably and safely. Additionally, you may need to consider renting portable restrooms if your home bathrooms cannot handle the number of guests.

Another consideration is the logistics and rentals required for a backyard wedding. You'll need to think about tables, chairs, linens, dishes, decorations, and possibly a tent or other structures. These rentals can add up quickly, so it's essential to plan and budget accordingly. It's also crucial to check with your county or city for any permits, noise ordinances, parking restrictions, and fire safety requirements.

Despite these challenges, backyard weddings offer a unique and personalised experience. They allow you to create a wedding that truly reflects your vision and style. Whether you're opting for a rustic hay bale seating arrangement or a string quartet to serenade your guests, a backyard wedding gives you the freedom to make your dream wedding a reality.

Catering and alcohol services

Planning and Preparation:

First, determine the size of your guest list, as this will impact the space required and the amount of food and drink needed. Consider whether you will host the whole day in your backyard or just the reception or ceremony. Ensure you have sufficient space for parking, with a good rule of thumb being one car for every two guests. Communicate your plans to your caterers early on, making them aware of any limitations regarding space and electrical access.

Catering Options:

You have several options for catering your backyard wedding:

• Contact local restaurants to see if they offer catering services.
• Hire a professional catering company, ensuring they are licensed and insured.
• Opt for a more casual approach with disposable tableware and a buffet-style meal.
• Use a food truck for catering and have a drop-off service rather than on-site preparation.

Alcohol Options:

There are also a few options for providing alcohol at your wedding:

• Make your wedding a Bring Your Own Beverage (BOYB) event, though this may not be suitable for the formality of a wedding.
• Contact a local bar to provide alcohol and bartending services, which can help ensure compliance with permits and regulations.
• Buy and supply all the alcohol yourself and hire a bartending service or ask a family member or friend to serve. Check the requirements for serving alcohol, including any need for a liquor license.

Other Considerations:

• Permits and Regulations: Check with your county or city for any permits or regulations regarding events, especially if you are using a tent. Be mindful of noise restrictions and be respectful of your neighbours.
• Space and Rentals: In addition to catering and alcohol, consider other rentals you may need, such as tables, chairs, and a dance floor. These can add up quickly, so budget accordingly.
• Clean-up: Don't forget to plan for clean-up after the event. You may want to enlist the help of friends or family, or consider hiring a day-of coordinator to manage this aspect.

By carefully planning and communicating with your chosen vendors, you can ensure a smooth and memorable backyard wedding.

Decorations and rentals

When it comes to decorations and rentals, there are several things to consider when planning a backyard wedding. Firstly, you'll need to decide on the layout of your ceremony and reception areas. This includes determining where the altar or focal point of the ceremony will be and how guests will be seated. Consider renting foldable chairs or getting creative with hay bales and blankets for a rustic wedding.

To create a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony, you can rent an arch or create your own using a rug or blanket, flowers, and candles. Marking out the seating rows with flickering, flameless candles can add a romantic touch. For the reception, string lights overhead can provide ambient lighting and a touch of elegance.

In terms of rentals, you'll likely need tables and chairs for your guests, unless you're planning a standing cocktail-style reception. Rental companies can provide everything from tables and chairs to linens and dishware. If you're looking to save money, consider buying some items second-hand or borrowing from friends and family.

Don't forget to think about the dance floor! If you're planning on having dancing at your wedding, you may want to rent a dance floor or create a designated space for your guests to show off their moves.

Lastly, decorations can include anything from floral arrangements to string lights and candles. You can hire a florist or opt for a more DIY approach by sourcing flowers from local flower farms or even growing your own.

By planning ahead and getting creative, you can transform your backyard into a stunning wedding venue that reflects your unique style.

Permits and regulations

When planning a wedding in your backyard, it is important to be aware of the permits and regulations that may apply. The requirements for permits and regulations can vary depending on the region and municipality, so it is essential to check with your local authorities. Here are some key points to consider:

Permits

• Special event permits: You may need to register your wedding as a private event.
• Liquor licenses: If you plan to serve alcohol, you will likely need a liquor permit or license. This may also depend on who is serving the alcohol and whether there is any cash involved.
• Fire permits: If you use a tent, which is considered a temporary structure, you will need a fire permit. This is to ensure that your setup meets fire safety requirements, including marked exits, fire extinguishers, and proper enclosure of candles and flames. The fire department may send a fire marshal to inspect your setup before issuing the permit.
• Tent permits: These permits typically require floor plans, including exit sign locations and fire extinguisher placements, as well as a fire resistance certificate for the tent. The tent company may offer to compile and submit the permit application on your behalf for a fee.
• Open flame permits: If you plan to have candles or other exposed flames, you may need a separate permit. Fire marshals have specific requirements for appropriate containers for burning candles.
• Health permits: If you are bringing in portable restrooms, you may need permits from the health department. The company you rent the restrooms from should be able to advise on this.
• Noise permits: Every city has its own bylaws regarding allowable noise levels and the specific hours for when outdoor music must be turned down or off. Check with your local authorities to ensure compliance and avoid potential fines.

Regulations

• Parking and traffic: Ensure that your guests know where to park to avoid tickets, fines, and disruptions to your neighbours.
• Capacity restrictions: Be mindful of fire codes and capacity restrictions for your backyard or tent. Consult with wedding companies or your local fire department to determine the capacity limits for your space.
• Covid-19 protocols: Check for any local or state Covid-19 restrictions that may impact your guest list size and social distancing requirements.
• Food and catering: Consider the food options for your wedding. For smaller, intimate weddings, a potluck dinner or home cooking may suffice. For larger groups, hiring a caterer can alleviate the burden of cooking and cleaning.
• Clean-up: Unlike traditional venues, you will need to plan for clean-up after the wedding. You can enlist the help of friends and family or hire a cleaning service.
• Insurance: Review your home insurance policy to ensure it covers any liabilities that may arise from your wedding, such as accidents or damage to your property. Some companies offer specific wedding insurance to cover potential accidents.

Entertainment

Music

If you're after a more traditional wedding, a string quartet or acoustic guitarist and singer could play during the reception drinks or ceremony. Alternatively, you could hire a DJ or a live band to perform at your wedding. A roaming band or musician, such as a Mariachi band or saxophonist, can add a unique dimension to your wedding music.

Creative Entertainment

• Photo booths are a fun way to entertain your guests and provide them with mementos.
• Fire and acrobatic performers can put on a show for your guests.
• Circus performers, including aerial and hoop performers, acrobats, stilt walkers, jugglers, and contortionists, can put on a show.
• A glitter bar is perfect for a festival-themed wedding.
• Retro wedding games, such as a dance machine, can be a fun activity for guests.
• Casino games, such as roulette or blackjack, can be set up for guests to play.
• A mini-golf course is a fun outdoor activity for guests of all ages.
• Fireworks displays are a show-stopping way to end the night and create a fantastic photo opportunity.
• Face painting is a fun activity for younger guests, but adults may want to join in too!
• A caricaturist is a unique finishing touch to your wedding and provides guests with a wonderful keepsake.
• Singing waiters can put on a surprise performance during your wedding breakfast.
• A live painter can capture the magic of the day and provide you with a stunning piece of artwork to remember it by.

Food & Drink

• A DIY cocktail bar or a mobile bar service can be set up if your venue has no corkage charge.
• A hot chocolate bar is perfect for a winter wedding.
• A whiskey and cigar bar is a decadent addition to your night.
• An ice cream cart is great for a retro-inspired wedding.
• A prosecco drinks van can serve your guests with your favourite drink.
• A 'Pimp Your Drinks' bar lets your guests add their own toppings to their drinks.
• Grazing tables are a popular wedding trend and a wonderful alternative food and drink idea for your evening reception.
• A doughnut wall is a fun and tasty activity for your guests.
• A waffle stand is perfect for breakfast-y vibes at any time of your wedding day.

Personalised Entertainment

• A wheel of fun lets your guests spin the wheel and take part in custom activities.
• Unique transport, such as a horse and carriage or a VW campervan, will impress your guests.
• A couples quiz lets you and your spouse go head-to-head and see how well you know each other.
• Custom temporary tattoos are fun for guests of all ages.
• A personalised wedding magazine or newspaper is a great time-filler for guests.
• An escape room experience can be hired for your wedding.
• A photo scavenger hunt will bring out your guests' competitive sides.
• A signature cocktail bar lets your guests add their own garnishes to their drinks.
• A wedding-themed piñata is a fun, old-fashioned activity.
• An unusual guest book, such as a wooden wedding jigsaw, inspires your guests to be more creative with their messages.

Games

• Garden games, such as giant Jenga or Connect Four, are a classic and easy source of entertainment.
• Axe throwing is a unique activity that will delight your guests.
• An outdoor swing provides the perfect backdrop for photos and entertainment.
• Magic tricks will leave your guests determined to figure out the secrets behind them.
• Beer or prosecco pong is a fun drinking game.
• A treasure hunt is a great way to keep younger guests entertained.
• Virtual reality games can be hired for your wedding.
• A bus tour of your city is a unique way to get wedding photos.
• Confetti cannons are a fun alternative to fireworks.

Animals

• An alpaca petting farm is the perfect entertainment for a farm-themed wedding.
• An owl can deliver your rings and stay to entertain your guests.
• A dog chaperoning service tends to your dog and any others that need to attend.

Clean-up

• Create a clean-up plan in advance: Determine who will be responsible for cleaning up after the wedding, whether it's your guests, family members, or a hired clean-up crew. Communicate your plan to the designated people and ensure they are aware of their responsibilities.
• Delegate tasks: Assign specific tasks to individuals or groups to make the clean-up more manageable. For example, you can assign one group to collect trash, another to dismantle decorations, and so on.
• Provide necessary supplies: Ensure you have all the necessary cleaning supplies and equipment, such as trash bags, recycling bins, brooms, and dustpans. Have a sufficient number of trash and recycling containers placed throughout the venue, and clearly label them to avoid confusion.
• Manage food waste properly: If you have leftover food, consider donating it to a local food bank or shelter. Alternatively, provide guests with take-home containers so they can enjoy the leftovers. For perishable food items, ensure proper refrigeration or disposal to prevent spoilage.
• Return rented items: If you have rented tables, chairs, linens, or other items, coordinate their return promptly after the wedding. Clean or launder any items that require it before returning them to the rental company.
• Restore the backyard to its original state: Take down any decorations, fill in any holes created by stakes or posts, and repair any damage to the grass or landscaping. Sweep or rake the area to remove any remaining debris.
• Have a post-wedding clean-up crew: Consider hiring a professional clean-up crew to handle the post-wedding clean-up. They can take care of tasks such as removing trash, recycling, breaking down tables and chairs, and restoring the venue to its original condition.
• Create a timeline for clean-up: Develop a timeline for the clean-up process, including when specific tasks need to be completed. This will help ensure that everything is taken care of in a timely manner.
• Manage guest expectations: Let your guests know about any clean-up expectations, especially if they are expected to help. Communicate any specific tasks they should complete before leaving the venue.
• Thank your clean-up crew: Don't forget to express your gratitude to those who helped with the clean-up. Send thank-you notes or small gifts to show your appreciation for their hard work.

Frequently asked questions