More and more couples are choosing to take a more intimate and cost effective approach to their big day and opting for a backyard wedding. By cutting out the cost of renting a venue you can spend more time on the details and making them amazing. Here are 10 things to remember to make your back yard wedding memorable. 1. Pick the right season. Weather and temperature are crucial to any outdoor event. Know your climate and plan your date according to the optimal weather for your region. Spring and Fall are typically the best times, but summer some parts of the county would be manageable. It’s all about “location, location, location.”
2. Make sure your landscaping look amazing. If you are getting married in a parent’s backyard this is a great job for the “FOB/FOG” to do. The most important thing is a beautiful lawn. Start fertilizing well in advance to insure that perfect shade of green. Make sure to avoid fertilizers that have a strong odor. Don’t forget that if you mow to rake up all the clippings so they don’t turn brown and ruin all of your work. Buy some inexpensive clay pots and fill with flowers that coordinate with the wedding colors. These small touches will make a great impact.
3. Find a garden arch for your alter. Think about standing under a beautiful wooden archway while saying your vows. Most garden or hardware stores sell them. If your uncle is a carpenter, have him build a simple one for you. Wrap your arch with a flowing fabric or hang some ribbons from the middle.
4. Choose white chairs. Nothing sets off a backyard better than rows of white wooden chairs. Turn those chairs around during the reception and place at tables for guests to sit and eat.
5. Go barefoot. Liberate those toes on your way down the isle!! You don’t want your heels sticking into the grass or having to deal with the fear of tripping on an isle running. Have all your girls do the same! Make sure to grab a comfy pair of flats for the reception.
6. Ditch the formal bridesmaid’s dresses. Send your bridesmaids out with one request… a color!! Let them pick a dress that they can wear again and again. It will add spunk and originality to the “chorus line” of ladies you have standing up there with you. Not to mention it will save your favorite ladies some money!
7. Make homemade favors. How about a jar of strawberry preserves or a packet of handmade note cards for each of your guests to take home as favors. Typically a backyard wedding will come with a small guest list. This will allow you to add your personal touched to the event. Homemade favors are also a great way to get your extended family and friends to help out and feel a part of your special day. Come up with something that’s important to you, symbolic of your relationship or wedding and most of all able to be pulled off without extensive preparation or stress.
3. Find a garden arch for your alter. Think about standing under a beautiful wooden archway while saying your vows. Most garden or hardware stores sell them. If your uncle is a carpenter, have him build a simple one for you. Wrap your arch with a flowing fabric or hang some ribbons from the middle.
4. Choose white chairs. Nothing sets off a backyard better than rows of white wooden chairs. Turn those chairs around during the reception and place at tables for guests to sit and eat.5. Go barefoot. Liberate those toes on your way down the isle!! You don’t want your heels sticking into the grass or having to deal with the fear of tripping on an isle running. Have all your girls do the same! Make sure to grab a comfy pair of flats for the reception.
6. Ditch the formal bridesmaid’s dresses. Send your bridesmaids out with one request… a color!! Let them pick a dress that they can wear again and again. It will add spunk and originality to the “chorus line” of ladies you have standing up there with you. Not to mention it will save your favorite ladies some money!
7. Make homemade favors. How about a jar of strawberry preserves or a packet of handmade note cards for each of your guests to take home as favors. Typically a backyard wedding will come with a small guest list. This will allow you to add your personal touched to the event. Homemade favors are also a great way to get your extended family and friends to help out and feel a part of your special day. Come up with something that’s important to you, symbolic of your relationship or wedding and most of all able to be pulled off without extensive preparation or stress.
8. Opt for a light, seasonal menu. Choose things that you know are going to be readily available during your wedding. Go for a light menu of fresh ingredients. Like flowers, the cost of food goes up when it is out of season too. A salsa bar for appetizers, grilled fresh fish or chicken with steamed veggies, fresh fruit salad to be served with the cake, sweet mint and lime iced tea to drink.
9. Have backyard games for guests to play during cocktail hour. After the ceremony set out a game of croquet or maybe some horse shoes. This will take guests minds off of the time while you take pictures, set up the reception or change into something more comfortable.10. Ask guests to dress casual. You don’t want your aunt and uncle to show up in their suit and long sleeved dress and be miserable the whole time. Make sure to note on your invitations that it’s an outdoor event and to wear your “Summer’s Best”. You want your guests to be comfortable during the reception.