Guest Author: Alice Robertson

When it comes to planning a wedding, there are many reasons to consider throwing it right in your own backyard wedding. First of all, wedding markup is a real thing. Vendors will approach potential clients in a way that is friendly and vague, but they are only trying to figure out how much you are willing to pay before they offer you the highest price possible. When you have your ceremony and reception at home, you skip those costs. You get to apply that money to something you really care about — an open bar at the reception or a longer honeymoon — and you get to have your big day in an intimate setting you can share with those you love.

The one drawback: A backyard wedding takes a bit more work on your part. Without event coordinators provided by a venue, you have to either do the organization yourself or outsource the work to professionals. To get a better idea of what’s needed, read on for the preparations every couple should go through when planning a backyard wedding.

Invite Fewer Than People Than Your House Can Fit

The size of your yard and home should determine the size of your guest list, not the other way around. It’s a good idea to invite fewer people than your maximum occupancy, as well. There are always more people, tables, chairs, decorations, etc. than you ever really expect. If you can’t imagine cutting your guest list down anymore, consider doing your invites in two parts. Your family and closest friends can come to the first part in which you hold an intimate ceremony. Then, you can open up the yard, home, and any other social areas of the house to throw a reception that fits everyone you want to invite.

Prep Your Yard Two Months Early

• Eight weeks out is about the perfect time to start preparing your backyard for your nuptials. Make appointments with your wedding planner, rental companies, and caterer about the layout and make sure everyone is on the same page in regards to where things should be set up. If they are available, have the meeting in the house itself.Beyond the layout, now is also a good time to do any major renovations to landscaping. Two months gives them enough time to root and you enough time to prime and primp so they look best on your big day. Ways to prepare your yard for a backyard wedding includes the following:
  • Make sure your lawn is thick and green by testing and balancing your soil’s mineral content. You can aerate and fertilize the soil, weed the grass, and water the whole area over the next few weeks and your lawn should be in its best shape by the big day.
  • Start planning your lighting. The more light you have, the better the photos will turn out. Check out these cool ideas for backyard wedding lighting for inspiration.
  • If you want an arbor, pergola, or trellis for your ceremony, find someone to start the building process now. Whether you are buying the materials and DIY-ing it or hiring a professional, most homeowners spend between $1,939 and $5,047

Easy DIY Projects

Even if you have an unlimited wedding budget, you can still make some of your decorations and party favors yourself. It’s a way to put a little more heart and style into the event. Some great DIY wedding projects include photo booth backdrops, centerpieces, premade Mason jar cocktails, and paper cones filled with rice or birdseed for guests to throw.

Your wedding day should be about celebrating and sharing love with the people you are closest with — it’s not about going broke spending big bucks on a venue! A backyard wedding is an intimate an affordable way to celebrate. Think small when it comes to the guest list, start preparing your yard two months ahead, and infuse some personal, DIY details for a bit of your own personal style on your big day.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Alice Robertson is a home organization expert with Tidyhome.info.