Franklin Dean
Planning a backyard wedding reception can be a daunting task, but with careful planning, it can be a beautiful and unique celebration. From creating a cosy and intimate atmosphere to dealing with logistical challenges, there are many aspects to consider when turning your backyard into a dream wedding space. Whether it's making use of the natural terrain, getting creative with decor, or ensuring your home is equipped to handle the festivities, the process involves plenty of important decisions. To ensure a smooth and memorable event, it's essential to plan ahead, pay attention to details, and seek inspiration from couples who have successfully hosted backyard weddings.
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What You'll Learn
Plan for extra lighting, toilets, and parking
If you're planning a backyard wedding reception, it's important to consider extra lighting, toilets, and parking. Here are some tips to help you plan for these:
Lighting
To create a romantic and well-lit atmosphere for your backyard wedding reception, consider using fairy lights or string lights in the trees or on gazebos. Solar-powered lights are a great option if you're looking for a cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice. Battery-powered tea lights are another option that can add a soft and romantic touch to the décor. If you're concerned about electricity usage, reserving it for other aspects, or if your venue has restrictions, solar and battery-operated lights are perfect alternatives.
Toilets
Renting portable toilets or restroom trailers is essential for a backyard wedding, especially if you're expecting more than 20 guests. Home septic systems and toilets are not designed for high-volume use, and renting portable facilities ensures all your guests have reliable access. Restroom trailers provide a more comfortable experience with multiple stalls, sinks, mirrors, and lights, resembling a typical restroom. Remember to place the toilets on flat, dry ground, away from the reception area, and consider renting at least one handicap-accessible toilet and a family toilet with a changing table.
Parking
Parking is a significant consideration for backyard weddings, and it's essential to plan early. You'll need space for both guest and staff parking, including photographers, caterers, bands, and delivery crews. If you opt for on-site self-parking, designate a specific area, and ensure it's well-lit. Alternatively, you can offer valet services or direct guests to park in a nearby lot and walk over, ensuring safe and well-lit paths. If you choose an off-site lot, consider providing shuttle services for your guests. Don't forget to account for staff parking as well, as they will also need designated spaces.
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Prepare welcome bags with bug spray and sunscreen
Preparing welcome bags is a thoughtful gesture for guests at a backyard wedding. Bug spray and sunscreen are essential items to include in these welcome bags, especially if your wedding will take place during the warmer months.
Choose the Right Products
Select a sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) to ensure your guests are well protected from harmful UV rays. Consider getting sunscreen sprays or lotions that are water-resistant and suitable for sensitive skin. For bug spray, opt for a product that contains DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) as it is highly effective at repelling insects. Look for one that is non-greasy and has a pleasant fragrance.
Personalize the Experience
You can customize the welcome bags with a thoughtful note, a small gift, or even a fun sticker with your wedding hashtag. Adding a personalized touch will make your guests feel special and appreciated.
Prepare the Bags in Advance
Assemble the welcome bags a few days before the wedding to avoid last-minute stress. Ensure you have enough bags and products for each guest or group of guests. Place the items in a cute bag or basket that aligns with your wedding theme or color palette.
Display and Distribution
On the day of the wedding, place the welcome bags in a designated area, such as a welcome table or a dedicated station near the entrance. Have a sign or a member of your wedding party guide guests towards the welcome bags. If you have any leftover items, you can also place them near the bags for guests to help themselves throughout the event.
Additional Comfort Measures
In addition to bug spray and sunscreen, you may also want to include other comfort items in the welcome bags, such as hand fans, small bottles of water, or personalized handkerchiefs. These extra touches will ensure your guests remain comfortable and happy throughout the celebration.
By preparing welcome bags with bug spray and sunscreen, you are ensuring your guests can enjoy the special day without worrying about insect bites or sunburn. It is a practical and thoughtful gesture that will be appreciated by all.
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Use flowers and tents to decorate
Flowers and tents are a great way to decorate your backyard wedding reception. Tents are perfect for designating a reception space and make space planning a breeze. Work with your wedding planner to decide how many tables and food/drink serving stations you need, as well as how large your dance floor will be. If your kitchen isn't big enough, you might need to set up another food prep area, which is something you'll need to account for when planning your space.
Flowers can be used to decorate your backyard ceremony space and can be made to look like an extension of your existing landscaping. You can line the aisle with "growing" floral arrangements that appear to be sprouting straight out of the lawn. You can also bring flowers from your own garden as centrepieces or bouquets. Hang floral arrangements from the ceiling of the tent for a beautiful display.
If you're looking for lighting ideas, you can wrap fairy lights or string lights around the beams of a tent to highlight the structure. Crystal chandeliers, string lighting, pin spots and custom fixtures are a few lighting options you can choose from. You can also rent standard lights for service areas so your vendors can see what they're doing, and more stylized ones for the ceremony and wedding reception.
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Create a dance floor and seating area
If you're creating a dance floor and seating area for a backyard wedding reception, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll need to decide whether to rent a tent or not. Tents are perfect for designating a reception space and can make space planning a breeze. Work with your wedding planner to decide on the size of your dance floor and the number of tables and food/drink serving stations you'll need. You don't want to overcrowd the space, so ensure there's enough room for guests to dance and move tables and chairs if needed.
If your backyard has a patio, you may not need a tent. Simply arrange your seating to allow for an open area for dancing. If you have a pool, you can even build a dance floor over it.
Consider the number of guests you'll be hosting and whether you'll need to rent tables and chairs. You'll also need to think about lighting for the dance floor area. You can rent standard lights for service areas and more stylized ones for the reception. String lighting and bistro lights can create a magical atmosphere.
Don't forget about the practicalities, such as parking, bathrooms, and trash cans. You may need to rent additional facilities if your home can't accommodate all your guests.
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Choose a colour palette and design theme
One of the best parts of hosting a backyard wedding is that you have the freedom to choose any colour palette and design theme. You can make the home and land the backdrop of your wedding, or you can create a completely different atmosphere with decorations.
If you're looking to create a rustic and elegant atmosphere, you can use a large red barn as the backdrop for your ceremony, and host the reception just behind it. You can also repurpose indoor furniture to complete your wedding design. For example, gold bookcases can be used as an escort card display with table numbers in glassware.
If you're looking to create a glamorous theme, you can bring in metallic décor elements, or transform your pool into the focal point of your wedding. You can build a dance floor over the pool, and use a makeshift walkway as the aisle.
If you're looking to create a dreamy and romantic atmosphere, you can decorate your backyard with string lights, lanterns, and candles. You can also hang floral arrangements from a tent's ceiling for a beautiful display.
If you're looking to create a chic and elegant atmosphere, you can use flowers that look like they're growing out of the ground as your backdrop. You can also line the aisle with "growing" floral arrangements that sprout straight out of the lawn.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few things to consider when planning a backyard wedding reception. Firstly, you'll need to ensure there is enough space for guests to park their cars and that there are enough bathrooms to accommodate them. You'll also need to plan for additional kitchen equipment for catering staff, generators, tables, chairs, tableware, and lighting fixtures.
There are endless ways to get creative with a backyard wedding reception. You can decorate your backyard with flowers, string lights, and candles. You can also repurpose furniture from indoors, such as using gold bookcases as an escort card display. If you have a pool, you can build a dance floor over it.
It's important to provide outdoor essentials for your guests, such as sunscreen, blankets, and bug spray. You should also ensure there are plenty of trash receptacles available and check with your local disposal company about garbage collection. Finally, consider investing in wedding insurance to protect yourself financially in case of any damage or injuries.
