Planning An Outdoor Wedding
Once the preliminary questions have been answered, the bride and groom can plan their outdoor wedding. While the ideal situation is perfect weather, the couple also needs to create a contingency plan in case of rain or otherwise inclement weather conditions.
In the planning stages, the bride and groom should ensure all logistics have been worked through. In addition to meeting with the florist, the bride and groom should also consider the following when planning an outdoor wedding:
- Will chairs need to be rented for both the wedding ceremony and reception?
- Would a rental tent provide ample room for the wedding reception in case of rain or inclement weather?
- Renting a sound system will allow wedding guests to hear everything over the natural sounds of the outdoors.
- What options are there for creating a focal point for the wedding ceremony? A gazebo or garden arch provides a nice outdoor wedding option.
- What time of the day are the wedding and ceremony? If it will be evening or dark outside, will it be necessary to rent lights?
- What restroom facilities will be available for guests? Will a portable restroom rental be necessary?
Rose gardens, parks, conservation areas, or even the backyard are popular outside wedding reception sites. Hosting a backyard or garden reception is a beautiful way to celebrate a marriage, but it has its own set of unique concerns that brides need to address during the planning phase.
Use Plants For Your Centerpiece
Photo by Lisa Poggi Event Planning by Exclusive Italy Weddings Floral Design by La Rosa Canina
Potted flowerless plants mimic the shrubbery of a backyard and make for stunning centerpieces. Cluster a few plants, baby fruit-bearing trees, and herbs from a local garden store for a visual masterpiece that will smell just as good as it looks. Bonus: The plants can live on as landscaping for the backyard instead of meeting a quick demise.
Set Up Banquet Tables
Backyard weddings are all about family and friends that have become family. Your seated dinner reception should celebrate that by bringing everyone together, family-style. Long banquet tables or the slightly more narrow king’s tables set a warm, communal tone that is often lost with other seating styles.
Photo by Henry & Mac Event Planning by Nicole Mower Weddings + Events Catering by Fire & Co.
Take that heartwarming intimacy to the next level by incorporating it into your dinner service, too. Instead of individualized plating, have the meal brought out family-style so guests can pass the dishes to one another and interact as they do so.
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Backyard Wedding Ideas: Use What You Have On Hand
Outdoor wedding themes should take inspiration from the landscape. If youâre having your wedding in your own backyard or the backyard of a family member, use whatâs already there to inspire your outdoor wedding.
- Leave up the clothesline and decorate it with strings of polaroid photos, or anything colorful that would make a good background for photos.
- Outdoor wedding venues might have a trellis to use as the backdrop for your exchange of vows. Otherwise, you might want to rent or purchase a simple wedding arch that you can decorate with flowers, bunting, or balloons.
- If youâre lucky enough to have an old tree in your backyard, show it off. Decorate the lower branches with glass balls, paper lanterns, or ribbons.
- Use potted trees to make a âwishing treeâ â put paper, markers, and clothespins nearby so that your family and friends can write down their well-wishes and clip them to the tree.
- Propped-up wheelbarrows make a great place to park drinks and guest books.
Rugs For Backyard Wedding
So, your backyard lawn isnt the most vibrant one, just cover it with whatever old rugs you have and make it your wedding dancefloor.This will also be perfect as an aisle runner. Go ahead and embrace the Boho-chic, its beautiful, trendy, and yet, timeless.
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Pro-Tip: Assuming you place the rugs on the ground, the right way to do this is by spreading out a plastic sheet and holding it tight with Iron pegs. Place the rugs on the plastic sheet with double-sided tape and you have a stable surface for walking and dancing.
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Backyard Wedding Ideas: 13 Ways To Decorate The Garden For Your Special Day
Impress your guests and celebrate love with these backyard wedding ideas from table settings to budget-friendly decorations and more
ByHolly Crossleypublished 8 May 21
Planning your big day? Our backyard wedding ideas may be just the inspiration you need. There are tons of benefits to hosting your wedding in your very own garden. First of all, having a wedding at home adds a wonderfully personal touch. It’s your own familiar space, but with a gloriously decorative spin. And what could be better than making the happiest of memories right on your very own doorstep? Second, backyard wedding ideas are much more affordable than hiring out an elaborate venue so it’s an easy way to make a saving on what can otherwise be an eye-wateringly expensive day.
Okay, so more budget-friendly and more personal all seems good so far. But if you’re worried that a DIY wedding sounds a little lacklustre, don’t be. Sure, it might not be in that beachside castle from your childhood dreams. But, with the right decorations, lighting, food, and entertainment, celebrating your big day in your own garden can be just as, or even more so, magical.
So, to help you plan an unforgettable event , we’ve rounded up some of our favorite backyard wedding ideas. From festival-style looks to elegant table settings just keep scrolling to get inspired.
Backyard Wedding Reception Insect Control
During the spring and summer months, bugs also pose threats to any outdoor celebration. Be sure to check out the reception location ahead of time for potential insect problems. Still bodies of water attract mosquitoes as the evening comes on, and always be on the lookout for danger signs such as wasp or bee nests near the location of the bridal reception.
If brides are afraid that bugs could ruin their garden wedding party, they could set up tents draped in mosquito netting, which is beautiful yet functional.
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The Ultimate Guide To Planning A Backyard Wedding
Backyard wedding image by Ariana Tennyson
A backyard wedding is perfect for couples who want a uniquely sentimental feel, love to be outdoors, or want their dream wedding on a budget. There are so many benefits to a backyard weddingincluding cost and conveniencebut with those benefits come a few extra details you need to keep in mind and situations you need to plan for.
To keep you on track, weve compiled this comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about planning a backyard wedding, from logistics to design. Planning your backyard wedding has never been easier with these tips.
Decorate An Arch For A Chic Focal Point
Update a simple archway with elegant details
‘Adding foliage and flowers in as many places as possible is another easy way to achieve a relaxed setting,’ says Jess Martin, wedding decoration expert at Ginger Ray. ‘If you’re adding in the traditional archway for the bride and groom, try wrapping foliage around the frame, or buying a ready-made one if youre not the crafty type.’
It’s the perfect way to style up your garden arbor ideas and create a romantic setting to say your vows. Drape soft, flowing fabric around the structure to complete the look.
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Backyard Wedding Ideas That Are Elegant And Budget
A backyard wedding reception doesnt have to be expensive to be elegant. With a little creativity and planning, you can create a backyard venue that is the talk of the neighborhood. Scroll for a few classy, budget-friendly, outside wedding ideas that are easy to implement in your own outdoor space.
This post is for the bride who wants a beautiful garden wedding on a budget, and the mom who desperately wants to give it to her.
Hosting a garden wedding reception was not in our plans. In fact, I never thought my small backyard was worthy of such an event. But, when outdoor garden venues were not operating normally during COVID, I realized that if I wanted to have any kind of celebration for my daughters wedding, it would have to take place in our own backyard. Literally.
Get Creative With Your Surroundings
Embracing the uniqueness of your surroundings is a great way to make sure your wedding day vision comes to life. When creating a ceremony backdrop in the backyard of this private residence, Beth Bernstein, owner and event director at SQN Events, envisioned the willow tree as the creative focal point. The father of the bride, an avid gardener, cut the branches into an arc shape which served as a canopy over the couple as they said their vows, she says.
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Most Size Inclusive: David’s Bridal Collection Off
Courtesy of David’s Bridal
You can never go wrong with an elegant off-the-shoulder neckline, especially when it comes to getting married outdoors. This body-skimming stretch-crepe gown is simple yet stunning and features subtle pearl embellishments along the flounce neckline. Wear yours with your hair pulled back into a loose updo to really showcase your shoulders.
String Up Lanterns And Festoons
Mix up your lighting options for a pretty scene
Lots of low, glowy lights is an easy way to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. Opt for paper-lantern-style solar lights for a low-maintenance option and hang from trees or your pergola. All-white styles are a traditional choice that will always look stylish, but opt for ditzy floral patterns for a country-chic theme, or bold, bright hues for a more modern look.
Festoon lights are another option for backyard wedding ideas and add a chilled-out, rooftop-bar vibe. String along a fence or above your dining area for an instant ambience boost. Take a look at our festoon light ideas for more styling tips.
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Ample Outdoor Reception Lighting
When the sun sets during your outdoor wedding reception, youre going to need more light than just the motion sensor lights on your house. So hang up some string lights in trees, around your deck or anywhere else you see fit. And be sure to check out these 10 breathtaking outdoor lighting looks for your yard. Theres nothing quite like the twinkle of outdoor lighting on a cool summer night.
Elevate Your Flowerbeds With Chic Banners
These wedding cotton banners are from Smith & The Magpie
Give your flowerbeds a fresh new look with stunning signage like this. It’s simple, yet makes a striking statement.
Made from lightweight fabric, it will offer a softness to the scene as it gently sways in the breeze. Offset by a stylish metal frame, it’s a brilliant way to greet guests in style and set the tone for the day.
You could try the approach for your table plan, too.
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Table Number And Centerpiece
I love the look of unfinished wooden crates, add some free flowers from the garden, or perches some artificial flowers. It will still be an impressive centerpiece for your backyard wedding.
By primitivearts on Etsy
Unfinished Wooden Crates Artificial Flowers
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Make Your Own Seating
If you are hosting an outdoor wedding in your backyard it is important to make sure that there is ample seating for all of your guests. The bench shown above is rock-solid and build-able with basic tools, yet it has a certain elegance to it. Learn how to build both this bench and the companion Viking table to seat all of your guests. Best of all both the table and bench cost less than $200 to create!
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Shot Glass Place Cards
SAMANTHA JAMES PHOTOGRAPHY
Bring the party to your table setup by switching out traditional place cards for pink Himalayan salt shot glasses. Not only will they add a touch of subtle color to your tablescape, they’ll also create an Instagrammable moment for your guests. Plus, they’re a unique wedding favor your guests will actually use again. Cheers!
Creative Backyard Wedding Decors On A Budget
No wedding is sweeter than a backyard wedding during COVID-19. It is convenience, easy DIY and well under control. To keep you on track, weve collected some gorgeous backyard wedding decor ideas that will help you create a unique and impressive backyard wedding.
Check Out These Backyard Wedding Decor Ideas For Gorgeous Intimate Weddings
Wedding Welcome sign
Wedding Aisle
Creating an aisle in your backyard can be as easy as setting up a dramatic backdrop complete with chairs on either side. Add your personality to it with rugs, ribbons, or flowers.
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Create A Rustic Entrance Arch
If you want to make your backyard look appealing, then go for some unusual ways. For example, creating a rusting entrance arch. The best thing is that you dont need to break your bank for this. DIY it all by yourself you can even use it in your backyard after the wedding. It will serve as a beautiful reminder of the special occasion that you can see daily. Use things like branches, leaves, and flowers to create the arch
Construct A Rustic Wedding Arch
“If you envision a beautiful arbor or trellis for the ceremony, consider building this piece and then using it for your backyard after the wedding,” says Fritz. “It will serve as a great memory of the special occasion that you can see daily.” This particular arch was built by the bride’s father from fallen oak branches and decorated with bouquets of eucalyptus and garden roses by the to-be-weds themselves.
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Lighting Up The Night
Lighting is one of the easiest and most dramatic ways to create a certain mood for your wedding, especially for a backyard wedding where there is little to no built-in lighting sources. Twinkle lights or strings of cafe lights in the trees, lanterns with candles, marquee signs, chandeliers, and clusters of votives are all great ways to add some romance to your look while providing enough light for you and your guests to party safely. If youre curious how your photos will look in different lighting, get inspired by the gorgeous ambient light in these wedding photos.
