Backyard Bbq Wedding: Planning A Relaxed, Fun Celebration

Planning a backyard barbecue wedding is a great idea if you're on a budget, as you won't have to pay rental fees and can do as much DIY as you like. However, there are several factors to consider, such as the home layout, how you'll transport large pieces of furniture, and whether you'll need to rent bathrooms or parking. It's also important to plan your lighting in advance and have a backup plan in case of bad weather.

Budgeting

Planning a backyard BBQ wedding is a great idea if you're on a tight budget. You won't have to pay any rental fees, and you can do as much DIY as you like. You can also hire vendors that are the best fit for your budget.

First, look over your backyard and decide how many guests you can invite. Consider where the ceremony will take place and whether you can fit enough chairs for everyone. Once you've figured out the ceremony space, think about where the reception will happen. Where will everyone sit to eat? Do you want a dance floor?

Next, consider the equipment and large pieces of furniture you'll need and how they'll be transported to your backyard. You'll also need to plan your lighting far in advance. Turn on all the lighting a few weeks before the wedding and, if you find it's not bright enough, contact a wedding planner to help get the lighting right.

Backyard BBQ weddings typically require bathroom or porta-potty rentals to accommodate the number of guests. A general rule of thumb is to have at least one bathroom per 25 guests. You'll also need to plan your parking accordingly. If you have space, prepare for parking on your lawn, driveway, or street. If not, consider valet or shuttle services from a nearby area with more parking.

Finally, it's always a good idea to have a backup plan in case of rain or bad weather.

Home layout and furniture

When planning a backyard BBQ wedding, it's important to consider the home layout and how any large pieces of furniture will be transported to the backyard.

First, decide how many guests you can invite based on the size of your backyard. Consider where the ceremony will take place and whether you can fit enough chairs for everyone. Once you've figured out the ceremony space, think about where the reception will take place. Will everyone be able to sit down to eat? If you want a dance floor, make sure there's enough space for one.

If you plan on having any large pieces of furniture, such as tables and chairs, make sure they can be properly transported to the backyard. You may also want to consider hiring a partial wedding planner to help with the lighting. There can be a lot of pressure to have your table shapes and sizes match and align correctly, so a wedding planner may be able to help with this.

Finally, don't forget to plan for bathrooms and parking. Backyard BBQ weddings typically require bathroom or porta-potty rentals to accommodate the number of guests. As a general rule, you should have no less than one bathroom per 25 guests. If you have the space, prepare for parking on your lawn, driveway, or street. If not, consider valet or shuttle services from a nearby area with more parking.

Bathroom and parking logistics

Backyard BBQ weddings are a great idea, especially if you're on a budget. You won't have to pay rental fees, you can do as much DIY as you like, and you can hire vendors that are the best fit for your budget.

However, there are some important logistics to consider, especially when it comes to bathrooms and parking.

Firstly, you'll need to decide how many guests you can invite based on the size of your backyard. A general rule of thumb for bathrooms is to have no less than one bathroom per 25 guests. If you don't have enough bathrooms, you'll need to rent some porta-potties.

Secondly, you'll need to plan your parking accordingly. If you have the space, you can prepare for parking on your lawn, driveway, or on the street. If not, consider valet or shuttle services from a nearby area with more parking.

Finally, don't forget to consider the layout of your home and how any equipment or large pieces of furniture will be transported to your backyard. It's also a good idea to have a backup plan in case of rain or bad weather.

Lighting

Planning a backyard BBQ wedding is a great idea, especially if you're on a tight budget. You won't have to pay any rental fees, and you can do as much DIY as you like.

One of the most important factors to consider is lighting. Planning your lighting far in advance is key. Turn on all the lighting a few weeks before the big day to make sure it's bright enough. If you find it's not, it may be worth contacting a partial wedding planner to help you get the lighting right.

You could also consider fairy lights or lanterns to create a romantic atmosphere. If your wedding is in the evening or at night, you'll need to make sure the area is well-lit so that guests can see what they're eating and drinking. You could use candles, but be careful that they're not placed too close to any flammable objects.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you'll need a backup plan in case of rain or bad weather. Make sure any lighting you use is protected from the elements, and consider whether you'll need to provide extra lighting if it gets dark earlier than expected.

Catering

Next, think about the logistics of food preparation and service. If you're handling the catering yourself, ensure you have sufficient equipment, including grills, serving utensils, and tables for food presentation. Alternatively, you can hire caterers to take care of the food preparation and service for you. This option may be more convenient, especially if you want a stress-free wedding day.

When it comes to drinks, decide whether you want to provide a full bar, a limited selection of alcoholic beverages, or just soft drinks. If you opt for a full bar, consider hiring bartenders to mix and serve drinks. Don't forget to stock up on ice to keep drinks chilled, and provide plenty of non-alcoholic options for guests who don't drink alcohol or are driving.

Finally, don't overlook the importance of dessert! BBQ weddings often feature casual dessert options like s'mores, ice cream, or a variety of pies. You can set up a dessert table with a selection of treats for guests to help themselves or even have a food truck specialising in desserts.

Frequently asked questions