Backyard weddings have always been a quiet, quaint option for a wedding. But 2020 brought the backyard bash back with a boom. 

During shutdowns, backyard weddings were a good option. You could still get married, keep things small, and have the celebration you wanted. However, now that life is slowly getting back to normal, choosing between a backyard wedding and a wedding at a venue is tough. On the one hand, having things done for you and taken care of is appealing, but the personal touches and possible money-saving aspects of a backyard wedding can be hard to beat. 

Disclaimer: It’s crucial to identify what parts of your wedding day are most important to you and your partner. Is it the food? Decorations? Dance? It could be a million things. But identifying the top three priorities you and your partner have will help you make the tough decisions regarding wedding planning. 

Here are things to consider when it comes to choosing between a backyard wedding and a wedding venue. 

Cost

When first experiencing the sticker shock of having a wedding at a venue, the natural reaction is to brainstorm ways to make things a little more cost-effective. But a backyard wedding might not be the answer. 

When considering a backyard wedding, it’s crucial to sit down with the owner of whatever backyard you’re getting married in and whoever is paying for the wedding to calculate the actual cost. 

Here are some things to discuss: 

• What type of rentals would need to be purchased? A tent? Tables? Chairs? Port-a-potties? 

• What kind of work needs to be done on the property to prepare for a wedding, and how much will that cost? Does the house need to be painted? Gardens tended to? A bar area built? How much time will go into this, and what does that look like? 

• After all of this is calculated, look at how it compares to the venue price. Is a backyard really more cost-effective (if that’s you’re goal)? If cost isn’t a concern, it is still good to hash out all the budget details before deciding. 

Space/guest list 

• Space is the next big thing to talk about or think about with the property owner. How many people can actually fit comfortably in the yard? Is there enough room for a ceremony and reception? 

• If the guest list is small (20 or less), then really any backyard should work. If the guest list is sitting in the 100+ range, it’s time to start really nail down what the space can hold. It’s recommended that every guest at a wedding should have 6 square feet of room. Is the yard large enough to accommodate however many people you are inviting? 

• On top of that, can you fit enough tables for everyone to eat at? And do you have enough resources for that many people (especially bathrooms)? 

• Will there be enough parking for your backyard venue? If not, maybe get creative with how you get people to and from your wedding to wherever they are staying that night. 

All of these details will seem overwhelming to figure out, but getting things organized early on will help you delegate and make things so much smoother down the road. 

Artistic Freedom 

One pro to a backyard wedding is, in a lot of cases, the sky’s the limit when it comes to your decorations and setup. You can do whatever you’d like with the space, and you can take your time setting things up and taking things down. You don’t have to worry about any decoration rules a venue might have that you need to abide by. 

On the flip side, decorations for your backyard wedding might cost more depending on what look you’re going for. For example, a family barn will need a lot more work and decoration than a barn created specifically for weddings. 

Food 

Most wedding venues have the space and features caterers need to feed you and all of your guests. However, if you are planning on a backyard wedding, make sure you communicate this to your caterer before you book them so you can discuss what type of space and facilities they will need. 

Most caterers can make do when they are prepared, but preparation is key. Even down to the details of dishes (disposable or will the need to be washed) and enough space to put all the garbage before garbage day. 

Deciding on a venue can feel very overwhelming, but when you think about the details as you’re booking, the hard work will pay off! Sorting through what is most important to you and your partner will help the process early on so you can have the day of your dreams!!

Backyard weddings have always been a quiet, quaint option for a wedding. But 2020 brought the backyard bash back with a boom. 

During shutdowns, backyard weddings were a good option. You could still get married, keep things small, and have the celebration you wanted. However, now that life is slowly getting back to normal, choosing between a backyard wedding and a wedding at a venue is tough. On the one hand, having things done for you and taken care of is appealing, but the personal touches and possible money-saving aspects of a backyard wedding can be hard to beat. 

Disclaimer: It’s crucial to identify what parts of your wedding day are most important to you and your partner. Is it the food? Decorations? Dance? It could be a million things. But identifying the top three priorities you and your partner have will help you make the tough decisions regarding wedding planning. 

Here are things to consider when it comes to choosing between a backyard wedding and a wedding venue. 

Cost

When first experiencing the sticker shock of having a wedding at a venue, the natural reaction is to brainstorm ways to make things a little more cost-effective. But a backyard wedding might not be the answer. 

When considering a backyard wedding, it’s crucial to sit down with the owner of whatever backyard you’re getting married in and whoever is paying for the wedding to calculate the actual cost. 

Here are some things to discuss: 

• What type of rentals would need to be purchased? A tent? Tables? Chairs? Port-a-potties? 

• What kind of work needs to be done on the property to prepare for a wedding, and how much will that cost? Does the house need to be painted? Gardens tended to? A bar area built? How much time will go into this, and what does that look like? 

• After all of this is calculated, look at how it compares to the venue price. Is a backyard really more cost-effective (if that’s you’re goal)? If cost isn’t a concern, it is still good to hash out all the budget details before deciding. 

Space/guest list 

• Space is the next big thing to talk about or think about with the property owner. How many people can actually fit comfortably in the yard? Is there enough room for a ceremony and reception? 

• If the guest list is small (20 or less), then really any backyard should work. If the guest list is sitting in the 100+ range, it’s time to start really nail down what the space can hold. It’s recommended that every guest at a wedding should have 6 square feet of room. Is the yard large enough to accommodate however many people you are inviting? 

• On top of that, can you fit enough tables for everyone to eat at? And do you have enough resources for that many people (especially bathrooms)? 

• Will there be enough parking for your backyard venue? If not, maybe get creative with how you get people to and from your wedding to wherever they are staying that night. 

All of these details will seem overwhelming to figure out, but getting things organized early on will help you delegate and make things so much smoother down the road. 

Artistic Freedom 

One pro to a backyard wedding is, in a lot of cases, the sky’s the limit when it comes to your decorations and setup. You can do whatever you’d like with the space, and you can take your time setting things up and taking things down. You don’t have to worry about any decoration rules a venue might have that you need to abide by. 

On the flip side, decorations for your backyard wedding might cost more depending on what look you’re going for. For example, a family barn will need a lot more work and decoration than a barn created specifically for weddings. 

Food 

Most wedding venues have the space and features caterers need to feed you and all of your guests. However, if you are planning on a backyard wedding, make sure you communicate this to your caterer before you book them so you can discuss what type of space and facilities they will need. 

Most caterers can make do when they are prepared, but preparation is key. Even down to the details of dishes (disposable or will the need to be washed) and enough space to put all the garbage before garbage day. 

Deciding on a venue can feel very overwhelming, but when you think about the details as you’re booking, the hard work will pay off! Sorting through what is most important to you and your partner will help the process early on so you can have the day of your dreams!!