A Complete Guide to Planning a Backyard Wedding

A romantic backyard wedding has long been a popular choice among new couples. Hosting a grand wedding party in your backyard offers numerous benefits compared to other wedding ceremony formats. It can significantly reduce the venue-related budget since the event takes place on your private property.

Apart from that, a backyard wedding also allows you to create a more intimate atmosphere, customize decorations, and foster stronger connections with your guests.

If you are going to hold a wedding in your backyard, this blog will offer you a lot of help! It offers valuable tips that cover every aspect from the early stages of preparation to the wedding day. Read it now and discover more details!

1. Decide on a Budget

When planning a backyard wedding, you should put the budget at the first place. In the beginning, you make a rough estimate of the money you need to invest in this big event by considering several basic factors such as your financial situation, the wedding party theme, the number of guests, etc.

To create a more accurate plan for the backyard wedding cost, it is highly recommended that you make a detailed form to note where you will be spending the money specifically. This means you need to clearly understand what essentials are required for the party and visualize what your wedding would be like.

Here is a list of basic necessities that you can refer to when making a more detailed budget plan:

Venue Setup

• Decorations (flowers, streamers, balloons)
• Furniture rental (chairs, tables)
• Signage

Catering

• Appetizers
• Main courses (meat, vegetarian, vegan options)
• Desserts
• Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)

Wedding Attire

• Bride's wedding dress
• Groom's suit or tuxedo
• Wedding rings
• Bridesmaids' dresses
• Groomsmen's outfits

Photography and Videography

• Professional photographer
• Videographer
• Photo albums and video editing

Music and Entertainment

• Ceremony music (live band, DJ, or soloist)
• Reception music (dance-floor tunes)
• Any additional entertainment like a magician or a photo booth

Lighting

• String lights for ambiance
• Spotlights for the ceremony and key moments

Cake

• Custom-designed wedding cake
• Cupcakes
• Cake-cutting utensils

Invitations and Stationery

• Wedding invitations
• RSVP cards
• Thank-you cards

Flowers

• Bride and bridesmaids' bouquets
• Groom and groomsmen's boutonnieres
• Floral arrangements for the venue

Your budget is one of the most crucial factors when planning a backyard wedding. It's okay to make minor adjustments to it if you want to add or remove certain items or projects during the entire backyard wedding planning process.

But you must always bear in mind not to overextend it or cut back too severely. Otherwise, the event may not turn out to be the dream wedding you've been expecting.

2. Confirm Your Schedule and Guest List

Selecting the right date is also an important part when you are planning a backyard wedding. Make sure most of your guests are not busy on that day and can show off. Therefore, it is better to set the date on weekends or holidays, so that people have enough time to attend your event.

Then you have to check the weather conditions of the day. You can keep up with the weather forecast and choose a sunny, comfortable day as your wedding date. Good weather allows every guest to better enjoy the event and ensures that the entire process of the wedding will go smoothly.

Once you've nailed down the exact date for your backyard wedding, the next task is to make a detailed guest list. This is a vital step as it allows you to plan the seating arrangements effectively and lay the groundwork for all the subsequent wedding preparations.

3. Decide on Your Backyard Wedding Style

Another important factor that you should consider is the style of your wedding. I guess you must have envisioned the kind of wedding you've always wanted from a long time ago, right?

Basically, you can choose between a traditional-style wedding or one infused with some creative, personalized elements. The decision is all up to you and your partner.

It's better to determine the style of your wedding from the very beginning, as it guides decisions about attire, decorations, interactive activities, and other subsequent arrangements.

In addition, you should make sure that every detail of the wedding perfectly aligns with your wedding style. Otherwise, your wedding may not form a unified and harmonious atmosphere.

4. Choose Reliable Vendors

Selecting several trusted vendors is essential to creating a stunning venue and atmosphere for your wedding. If you're planning a backyard wedding, be sure to connect with vendors who can provide a high-quality shelter, catering services, professional video & photography, music & entertainment, as well as entertainment.

When hosting a backyard party, sudden weather changes can be a challenge. It’s necessary to set up a party tent on your land to serve as a reliable shelter for your guests. Among various suppliers available, Sheltent stands out as a reliable choice.

Its clear top tents are designed with superior resistance to heavy winds, rain, and snow. These tents are engineered with superior resistance to extreme weather conditions, including heavy winds, rain, and snow. Specifically, the maximum snow load is 0.1KN/㎡, and the wind load is up to level 8.

In addition to choosing a reliable tent supplier, you should go further to find vendors or professional teams to be responsible for food and beverages, video recording and photography, music and entertainment, as well as venue setting. These professional teams are quite important for a grand wedding celebration.

However, there's one thing you should keep in mind: opt for those professional ones. If possible, go for those that are registered, as they are more reputable and likely to offer industry-leading services.

5. Evaluate Your Backyard Venue

Evaluating your backyard venue is as important as other backyard wedding ideas. You can gain a better understanding of your backyard wedding space by considering the following aspects:

• Size: Assess the size of your backyard to determine how many guests it is able to accommodate.

• Shape and Layout: By examining the shape and layout of the backyard, you can better plan the setup of different function areas, such as the ceremony area, dining area, and entertainment area.

• Ground Condition: Ensure the ground is suitable for activities like walking, setting up tents, or placing furniture and facilities.

• Infrastructure: Check if there are accessible water and electricity connections to meet various wedding-related needs.

By paying attention to the condition of your backyard venue, you can make better arrangements for the ceremony and ultimately provide a wonderful space for you and all the guests.

6. Venue Layout and Decorations

The venue layout and decorations are the secret recipe for the great success of a backyard wedding reception. When it comes to decorating your venue, you need to pay attention to the following aspects:

Background Setup

The background of your venue sets the foundation for your wedding's overall style. Typically, this includes elements like a decorated archway, a floral wall, or a romantic backdrop.

If you've hired a venue-setting team, they'll design and set up the backdrop based on your requirements and the wedding theme. Then your role is to stay in close communication with them, providing feedback and making adjustments.

Seating Arrangement

Another crucial element in the venue layout is the seating arrangement. Based on your guest list, Make sure you have prepared sufficient chairs and tables based on your guest list.

In this way, you are actually leaving your guests more space to enjoy the meal and chat with each other freely, which is beneficial to enhance the overall experience of attending the backyard wedding.

Ceremony and Banquet Areas

The ceremony and banquet areas are the core parts of hosting a backyard wedding. All guests will gather there to watch you and your fiancé/fiancée complete the entire ceremony process, such as exchanging rings, pronouncing vows, delivering speeches, and so on. Moreover, the stage, tables, and chairs need to be set up stably to prevent accidents.

Reception Area

It is highly recommended that you set up the reception area under a tent. A specially designed wedding party tent usually has an elegant appearance, which will make your wedding look more gorgeous.

Besides its good looks, a wedding party tent is also practical enough to serve as a sturdy shelter to provide good protection for people and items beneath it. This ensures that your entire wedding process won't be disrupted by weather challenges such as rain or snow.

Decorations & Adorments

Decorations and adornments set the mood of your wedding. They create the wanted atmosphere that matches the chosen style, whether it's romantic, rustic, or modern.

Basic decorations including candles, balloons, and streamers are a must for creating a cheerful wedding ceremony. They are commonly used to decorate tables, chairs, walls, etc.

Moreover, if you want your wedding more memorable, you should choose the right light. It is recommended that you add some soft and cozy lighting to the entire venue.

It's also important to prepare some delicate fabrics such as flowing white curtains, luxurious satin tablecloths, and elegant chiffon chair sashes for your wedding feast. You can arrange them to drape across arches, or adorn tables.

By carefully planning the layout of your wedding venue and decorating it with items that can add more romantic touches to it, you are bound to host a fantastic wedding party in your backyard.

7. Decide on Food and Alcohol

Food and beverages are also essential elements of any backyard wedding celebration. When planning the menu, try to include dishes that cater to tastes of the most people and check in advance if any guests have dietary restrictions.

As for drinks, offer a selection of alcoholic options such as red wine, champagne, cocktails, and liquor to better celebrate this big event.

At the same time, don't forget about non-drinking guests and children. You can provide them with non-alcoholic alternatives or soft drinks like cola, lemonade, and orange juice to ensure that everyone has something to enjoy.

8. Backyard Wedding Process Control

Another key to hosting a perfect backyard wedding is learning to manage the entire process. Ensure everything runs smoothly by sticking to your planned schedule. Normally, a wedding ceremony includes the following major segments:

• Makeup
• Styling
• Attire Changes
• Ceremony
• Banquet

To stay on track, you can estimate the time needed for each part and conduct several rehearsals before the big day.

When the day arrives, try not to stress yourself too much. Instead, focus on enjoying the moment, celebrating with your friends and family, and sharing your joy and excitement of getting married.

9. Party Time

After the ceremony, the party begins—one of the most exciting parts of the day! As the hosts, you and your partner can take the lead on the dance floor now and encourage your family and friends to join you, so that everyone can enjoy the lively atmosphere.

You can also organize some interesting activities such as cornhole, giant Jenga, tic-tac-toe, an inflatable bounce house, etc. The goal of this part of the celebration is to engage all your guests and share your happiness with them.

10. Clean Your Yard and Building

Last but not least rule: clean your yard and the surrounding area right away. When the celebration and party are over, the venue is likely to be in a bit of a mess.

To avoid the garbage left on the venue breeding bacteria or causing trouble to your neighbors, you should restore the backyard to its original state as soon as possible.

Tips for Planning a Backyard Wedding

Now you must have learned how to plan a backyard wedding, but here are some bonus tips for you to make your celebration even more memorable:

• Invite furry friends: Host a pet-friendly wedding, allowing guests to bring their pets.

• Prepare power and electrical equipment: Prevent overloading by ensuring sufficient power supply.

• Set up portable restrooms: Provide convenience for guests.

• Pacify neighbors: Notify neighbors in advance and offer some gifts to avoid complaints about noise or other issues.

• Plan the parking area: Arrange a proper parking space for guests' vehicles.

• Provide outdoor essentials: Offer items like mosquito-repellent medications, sunscreen, portable fans, and umbrellas.

• Prepare a Plan B: Have a backup plan or remedies in case the original plan fails to work well or gets disrupted.

Make Your Backyard Wedding Special with Sheltent

Planning a backyard wedding can come with a lot of challenges. But with the right preparation, it would be a pretty easy process. The key is to make a thorough plan by following the complete guide that covers everything from creating a detailed budget to cleaning up your yard after the celebration.

Moreover, the additional tips provided above will take your backyard wedding party to the next level. Use them wisely to ensure your special event is a big success!

In a wedding celebration, one thing that you should never overlook is the importance of a high-quality party tent. Not only does it add an elegant touch to your venue, but it also serves as a reliable shelter.

If you're considering a tent for your backyard wedding, just head to Sheltent! We're always here ready to offer expert advice for planning a clear tent wedding in your backyard and provide top-tier tent solutions to make your event an unforgettable memory for everyone.