backyard wedding checklist
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How To Plan A Dream Backyard Wedding — To Be Loved Events
Week-of deliveries and week-after pick-ups for equipment and rentals are so much more flexible with a backyard wedding, and you can end the night much later if you wish (being courteous of your neighbors, of course!)
Traditional venues usually come with a set of rules and regulations such as: No outside liquor, no loud music after a certain time, specific candle regulations, no confetti, sparklers, etc. These can incur additional fees if violated in any way by a member of your party. A private estate, however, comes with very minimal rules and regulations. (However, make sure to check with your city to obtain any special permits that may be required regarding parking, fire, and noise.)
Some couples choose a backyard wedding simply for the sentimentality of the location. Whether it's your childhood home or a special place in your history, you'll never regret hosting such an important event in a place of meaning.
How To Plan A Backyard Wedding
When planning a backyard ceremony, there are a few things to keep in mind and questions to ask yourself. First, will you be getting ready on or off-site? I typically recommend an off-site location such as a hotel or Airbnb so you aren't bombarded by vendors and questions about setup while you’re getting ready.
Next is layout and decor. What do you want your backdrop or focal point to be? Facing the house, the water, the mountains? Once you've decided on a view, set the scene with an arch, chuppah, floral installation, or drapery. You also have the option of creating an aisle effect using rugs, flower petals, or lining the aisle with decor.
Make sure to assess the shade and be aware of direct sun exposure for your guests. It might be a good idea to bring in additional sources like umbrellas or canopies if needed. It's also important to think about guest arrival and the event flow. Consider having a welcome table and beverage station for your guests!
How Do You Have A Backyard Wedding?
Finally, avoid having the ceremony during the harshest light of the day. The best time to begin the ceremony is 1.5 hours before sunset. This will ensure the best outcome for photos and will create a natural transition into your cocktail hour and reception.
Emily and Austin’s wedding began with an intimate first look and private vow reading followed by family formal and wedding party photos, all off-site at a nearby park location five minutes from the residence. The invitation time was 5:00 PM with a ceremony start time of 5:30 PM sharp. As guests arrived, they were greeted with passed champagne, a welcome table with a photo guest book, and a drink station with spa water, lemonade, and ice tea.
We decided on a drapery entrance from the residence driveway leading to the ceremony to create a full romantic atmosphere. The sun and vines coming through the draping were absolutely gorgeous and transported guests to a Tuscan vineyard escape. This was a completely custom wedding design for the couple that turned out beautifully!
Diy Backyard Wedding Checklist & Useful Planning Guide
When planning a backyard cocktail hour, make sure you think about the overall layout and how you will transition into your dinner reception. If you're working with a smaller space, you might have to merge the two areas into one rather than keeping the reception tables separate.
For your bar, the recommended bartender-to-guest ratio is approximately 1 to 50-75 for a full bar with 2 signature cocktails. For quicker service, consider doing pre-batched, passed cocktails at the beginning of the hour. Passed hors d’oeuvres are also a great option for smaller spaces to avoid over-crowding in any certain area.
Because the couple opted for a first look, they were able to take most of their photos pre-ceremony which allowed them to join their guests at cocktail hour. We served passed
Your Ultimate Garden Wedding Checklist
And signature cocktails served at an 8-foot bar with two bartenders for a total of ninety guests. We also repurposed the ceremony chairs for the guest tables and bridesmaid bouquets for some of the table centerpieces.
Working with a blank canvas can be tricky without reference to past weddings. Don't be afraid to get creative and utilize your planner's expertise to craft your dream wedding! Begin by creating a full, to-scale schematic of your event space. Make sure to do at LEAST one on-site walkthrough with both your Rental & Catering companies to ensure the plan is feasible for the space and catering service.
If the yard allows, renting a tent is a great way to separate the reception space and create a designated rain/shade cover for your guests. For tight spaces, I recommend assigned seating (always!) with a plated meal. And be sure to add lots of lighting throughout the reception! Good lighting is not only essential for your guests and vendors, but also adds to the romantic ambiance. Twinkle lights, cafe lights, candles, or marquee signs are a great place to start.
Gorgeous Diy Backyard Wedding Ideas On A Budget 2023
**Don't forget to sneak away about 20-30 minutes before sunset for those dreamy golden hour photos! Your photographer can help you scout a good location for this near your location.
For Emily & Austin's reception, we had planned originally for 130 guests with 90 total attending which alleviated a lot of spatial pressure, though we still had to get creative with the layout!
First, we transformed the driveway into an additional lounge area after the ceremony for guests to mingle and covered half of the pool for more dining space. We added a variation of round and long tables to accommodate the reception area and included a seating chart with pre-assigned seats for each guest.
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