Backyard Weddings

Is anyone planning (or had) a backyard wedding or reception?

I love that this wedding idea is becoming more popular, and can be done either very informally or as an intimate and elegant setting for close friends and family.

Some unique ideas I saw recently for backyard weddings:
1) A photo booth. I think this sounds really cute for an informal wedding, and something guests would have a lot of fun with.
2) Food trucks or carts: For example, taco or gyro carts for food, an ice cream truck for a new twist on dessert. Again, I think these could make a fun reception twist, but are more appropriate for informal weddings.
3) Upscale picnic food - grilled specialty meats and classic salads made with gourmet ingredients: I love this idea, especially for those who want to add a little more elegance and sophistication to the backyard wedding.

What do you think?

I love seeing the different lighting people come up with in backyard weddings. Luminaries are a great idea for sunset ceremonies. Tiki torches are fun at a beach themed ceremony. Paper lanterns can be hung from tree branches for a soft effect, even if your wedding isn’t Asian-inspired.

Something everyone may want to keep in mind at a backyard wedding is to have a “plan b” in place in case it rains. Clean out a barn or a large shed so you can quickly move tables and decorations inside if needed.

The photo booth is a really great idea!  Friends of ours hosted a wedding in their yard recently and they refurbished all the carnival decorations from the school carnival—it was actually a lot of fun.  The different photo opportunities were a lot of fun.

I love that idea! There are so many ways to make that type of wedding truly your own, with favorite foods, themes (I think someone mentioned a carnival theme), and more. A friend of mine got married in her very large backyard and had horse-drawn carriages taking people from the “parking lot” to the wedding/reception site. It was like a fairy tale wedding.

I love the horse drawn carriage idea.  My daughter imagined a backyard wedding where you walk through the gate into a fantasy land of streamers, balloons, fountains and more.

When the wedding is in your own back yard (or that of a friend or family member) you can be as creative as you want to be with decorations and your theme. Having a backyard wedding can be a great way to save money, but it can also just be the perfect way to create a special day that is uniquely yours. Back yard weddings can be formal or informal—it’s up to you!

A backyard wedding can be a great option for a less expensive and more personalized celebration, that’s true, but there are some things that need to be considered that may mean it’s not quite right for you…

*Size of yard: Needing space for the ceremony and reception (serving area, tables, dance floor, etc.) can rule out many backyards for larger weddings. Of course, you can always include the ground floor of the house as well, adding both indoor and outdoor elements and greatly increasing the space.
*Restrooms: If the house in question only has a small downstairs bath, that can be problematic for a large number of guests. It may not be an attractive idea, but port-a-potties can be rented!
*Parking: Many residential areas don’t permit large numbers of cars to be parked along the streets, and it can be an inconvenience to neighbors. Consider asking a local church or business if they will permit overflow parking, or arrange carpools from the ceremony location.

Just some practical thoughts to keep in mind if you’re considering a backyard wedding!