If you are planning your ceremony and reception at the back of a garden, here are some tips for you! Wether you are planning a Backyard Wedding, here is a helpful guide to assist you in this amazing time of wedding planning!
There is a certain charm that comes along with planning a backyard wedding that grants it with the homely essence of a special event. Backyard weddings are so unique and magical! If the wedding is happening at your childhood home or your parents backyard, the familiarity of having your celebration at such a special location can make for a more relaxed you! Here are a few tips to keep in mind for those thinking about hosting a wedding in their backyard.
What do you need for a small backyard wedding?
How to budget for a backyard wedding?
One of the Pros of having a backyard wedding is that it might help stretch your budget by not having to rent a venue (unless you do rent a garden!) . That being said, backyard weddings can cost just as much as venue weddings! Backyard weddings are still a favorite plan for some couples because they can be flexible and more purposeful in what they want to do for their wedding day. For many of these couples the location also holds a big significance in their relationship and this big day!
The cost of a backyard wedding will depend on three main things : the guest count, the catering and the rentals.
An average budget for the cost of a backyard wedding is around $16000 for 30 or more guests (Source: Business Insider)
How do you make a backyard wedding feel elegant?
Planning a casual but elegant backyard wedding can be truly memorable! Having the ability to include more decorations and be very purposeful with the theme of your wedding is how you can make a backyard wedding feel elegant.
Theme
Finding a theme for your wedding from the start can make decisions and planning easier. If you want to be a more laid back simple theme for your backyard wedding, that’s ok! I had a couple do the “Summer in Minnesota” for their Minnetonka Backyard wedding and it was incredibly fun!
Create your Team
Create a solid team of people you are excited to work with for your backyard wedding, this will make your day go easier!
Officiant
Find someone that will be great a match for your personalities and a great experience for your guests. Judge Tom is one of my favorites in MN!
Photographer
Finding a local wedding photographer that is able to create fun, memorable and high quality photos of your day should be one of the priorities.
Planner
Consider having a planner or coordinator for the day and make sure you have laid out plans for what other help will be needed for the day. You might need someone to grill, to bartend and to serve, unless you will have everything set out in a buffet style.
Florist
A florist and decorator will be able to help you set up a gorgeous scene, as well as help you follow your theme and vibe!
Music
Besides reception music, adding a string quartet or other beautiful music during your ceremony is a great tasteful option.
Help
Before the night ends, you will need to make sure you have a clean-up plan. You can make sure to have some volunteers from your immediate family, but depending on the size of your wedding guest list, the task of clean up might be a lot more than your family can handle.
Clean-up crew, catering, bartenders and other vendors to help setup and serve are also something you can have in mind.
Figure out your Attire
Personalize your Wedding ceremony
Making your ceremony truly yours by adding something unique or alternative to your relationship. Saying your vows in is a big part of your ceremony, and you can also think of having a meaningful unity ceremony .
Think of your guests comfort and entertainment
From having backyard games to cocktail tables around for your guests to set their drinks, thinking of your guests experience will assure you provide them a wonderful time.
You can also prepare to keep your guests comfortable in all weather scenarios. Whether is blankets for the colds, fans for the heat or even flip flops. Sometimes umbrellas work wonderfully for both rain and sunshine! For the beautiful Midwest Summer nights, you will want to make sure to hand out insect repellent and sunscreen for your guests.
Backyard games go hand in hand with coolers of icy water, if you ask me. My favorite games are the giant jenga, bean bags and anything peculiar that I haven’t seen before.
Cocktail Hour
Some of my favorite cocktail hour photos are from backyard wedding photos or outdoor wedding venues. The timing usually is right around when the golden hour starts and is a great photo opportunity and a relaxing time for all. The high energy around the ceremony is over and people want to party!
Your Decorations
Decorations absolutely depend on your style (and budget!) but here is where I love the potential in a backyard wedding. All I can think about to start is Florals! Include flowers, please! A garden or a backyard isn’t a garden without flowers and they are always a timeless decoration that can elevate your event.
Many people think only about Tabletops but having a guest book table with a few personal things to your relationship can be both purposeful and beautiful!
Cute signs to help guest flow are a beautiful way to personalize your backyard wedding!
Backyard Wedding Ideas
Jumping into Pinterest is both a great and bad idea when you start planning, because you will have so many great ideas! (but you will also have so many great ideas!) I suggest grabbing just a couple of magazines before your dive in the big world of Pinterest.
Once you and your partner have a feeling for your style, pick a few words that will go with you and then start pinning. Having a realistic idea of what you can do by yourself or rent through a service is best.
Setting the Ceremony
Picking the spot where you will stand to share your vows, and be declared a couple! Some people opt for an arch while some get a lot more creative with trees or flowers, or parts of the already existing nature.
Clear tent
I usually suggest my couples to stay away from trends, and choose more timeless decoration. That being said, clear tents are some of my absolute favorites.
Rentals Checklist
If I had to pick three, the most important items you will need are the chairs, tabletop (everything to eat) and production (sound/light) . You might or not need a lot of items for your backyard wedding, even if you don’t rent everything here is a complete checklist!
Rentals you’ll need for a backyard wedding:
- Tent
- Overhead Tent Decor
- Power Generators
- Climate control (heaters/fans)
- Ceremony Arch
- Ceremony Decor
- Ceremony & Dining Chairs
- Dinner Tables
- Table Runners, Linens and Napkins
- Centerpiece Vases
- Table Decor
- Place Settings
- Cocktail Tables
- Serving Tables
- Gifts Table
- Guest Book Table
- Dessert Table
- Bar (s)
- Dance Floor
- Lighting/ Sound Equipment
- Catering Equipment
- Lounge Vignettes
- Backyard Entertainment/games
- Trash and recycling bins
- Portable Restrooms
Logistics of Backyard Weddings
Safety and Exits
The space where you will have your wedding should be ample and easy to access ! Safety is crucial with a wedding that’s held in the backyard, especially when it comes to liabilities. There has to be a clear flow of people to arrive and leave, and there has to be a way to safely exit without getting hurt.Weather
Having a plan for weather should be very high up there in the list of priorities for any wedding, but especially important if you are having a wedding outdoors and if you are planning it on your own. After picking a date that works for you and your boo, start with researching the historical weather for that date and decide on a plan for bad weather case scenarios.
Tents
A tent is one of the best ways to have a backup plan in case the weather doesn’t cooperate! Both in cases of rain or heat, having a tent is useful for coverage. Installing a tent requires a lot more work than you would think. Plan to set up the tent to one side of the backyard and make sure it provides enough coverage. Renting from professional and well reviewed Wedding rental vendors will make your day a lot easier!Lighting
Lighting plays a tremendous role when it comes to a backyard wedding! I discuss natural light below, when you start to plan the timeline (long story short: the sun matters!) but it is also very important to think about the darkness. The lighting is going to create an easy boundary of where the celebrations are happening, and add to the ambiance and photos! Fairy lights, string lights, luminaries and led candles are some of my favorite decorations to see on backyard weddings.Bathrooms
Indoor access
Food
The best part of a backyard wedding is that you can have the fridge full of your favorite drinks and you can use any catering you want!
The food can be catered, or food trucks ordered. I have noticed an incredibly funner guest experience when there is a food truck and even more with deserts.
Check out these fun options to bring the party to your backyard:
- MN Nice ice cream!
- Food trucks
Neighborhood considerations
Make sure to check with your town or city about any regulations on noise, curfew, parking, lighting or permit regulations that may apply to your wedding event. Make sure to plan the party around those rules !
In that same note, let your neighbors know with plenty of anticipation about the event, especially if your property is in an area with limited parking.
Backyard Wedding Timeline Suggestions
The time of your ceremony and lighting
Here is a simple timeline example considering the time of year and sunset time:
Planning your ceremony around sunset is the best idea, here is a timeline for 9 PM Sunset in Minneapolis
10:00 Start Getting Ready!
1:00 Getting Ready Photos
2:30 First look/ Couple Photos
4:00 Family Photos
5:00 Ceremony
5:30 Cocktail Hour
6:30 Dinner
7:30 Toasts
7:45 Sunset Photos
8:00 First Dances
8:15 Open Dance
What is the best month for an outdoor wedding in Minnesota?
Weather wise, the nicest outdoor wedding season in Minnesota spans from from mid May to late September. “Make sure you have a viable rain/extreme weather backup plan.” says Reena, Minnesota wedding planner . Weather in Minnesota can change very quickly so having a plan for different weather conditions is very important. Think not only about rain, but also about high humidity and strong winds.
Last thoughts on Planning Backyard weddings
Backyard weddings can be a lot of fun when they’re planned with purpose. Have fun planning and take a step back when feeling overwhelmed. You will create a memorable day and will be so happy to enjoy it with your favorite people ! Want to make your backyard wedding even more special to who you are as a couple? Check out my guide on unique wedding ideas!
