The Advantages Of Backyard Weddings
Backyard weddings carry with them certain advantages. There are disadvantages, or at least potential disadvantages to be sure, but by and large, backyard wedding have a great deal going for them. All you really need is a decent looking backyard, your's or a good friends, and a little extra effort decorating or fixing up those areas Mother Nature didn't address or quite get finished.
Backyard weddings are often advertised as being inexpensive. This is true, though you can spend as much as you want. Just don't confuse inexpensive (nice) with cheap (not so nice). A church wedding, where the reception may also be held, is often inexpensive as well, but no matter how good a job one does of decorating the church basement, a nicely landscaped backyard really can't be beat. Just like having the reception in the church basement, having a back yard has the advantage of having the ceremony and reception in the same spot. No driving across town from church to the Elk's Club or Sons of Norway meeting hall, though either can be a very nice place for a reception.
Being Prepared - What are the disadvantages of backyard weddings? Three words come to mind - rain, wind, and wasps. If you have neighbors from Hell next door, swallow your pride and invite them to the wedding, or at least to the reception. Then at least, they won't be peering over the fence during the ceremony, and might stop tossing their dog's droppings into your yard in the future. You can always have a Plan B to deal with rain, even a downpour, though it may mean moving the ceremony or reception inside, or at least to a covered patio. If you invite 20 people, rain usually can be dealt with, if 200 or more, there could be problems. Rain plus wind is worse, which may be worth taking into account if you're planning a spring wedding. Wasps aren't apt to be a problem in the spring or early summer, but could be in late summer or September. Purchase a few wasp traps well in advance, in late spring if need be, and hang them out. You might also take into account where the ceremony, the "alter", is to be located. It should be some distance away from any plants that bees or wasps are particularly fond of.
Things You Can Do - The advantages far outweigh the disadvantages however. One can, if one wishes, spend days, weeks, or months preparing the backyard so it will be perfect for the occasion. Here is where the budget comes in. At one extreme, simply mowing the lawn the day before may be enough. At the other extreme, you may elect to bring in a ton of potted plants, and hire a landscaper to beautify the area. Preparing the site for the ceremony and reception can be fun and relaxing instead of stressful. Pay particular attention to the bridal path, where the bride will make her entrance. A bordered path of small gravel, such as pea gravel, will work nicely, and doesn't need to extend the length of the yard. Also think of a trellis for either the entrance or at the site of the ceremony. You can purchase an inexpensive one and decorate it nicely, or spray paint the one leaning against the back of the garage.
Put Those Lights To Use - Having the reception in the evening? Head for the attic, dig out the outdoor Christmas lights, and put them to good use. Icicle lights won't cut it, but most white or colored mini lights can add a great deal of ambiance. Twinkling lights may or may not be suitable, you be the judge. They can be attractive or distracting. Of course flashing lights are out.
Chairs, Tables, Tablecloths - Rent folding chairs and tables. The chairs should be arranged nicely for the ceremony but can be placed most anywhere during the reception. A wedding reception usually demands white linen tablecloths, certainly better than the checkerboard tablecloths you'll find in an Italian restaurant. Lower quality white tablecloths will do fine. People are interested in the bride and groom, the ceremony, and visiting with the other guests, and won't spend time examining your tablecloths.
Wedding Photos - Finally, make certain there's a nice spot for taking the wedding photos, something with attractive foliage or pleasing scenery in the background. You don't want wedding pictures showing your grill, or Uncle Harry, or the neighbors you didn't invite, in the background.