10 top tips to plan a backyard wedding at home
At home weddings are personal, intimate and often (but not always) more affordable than hiring a venue for exclusive use. However while there are plenty of advantages to getting married at home or the property of a friend or family member, it is not without challenges.
The logistics of opening your home to host a wedding requires a huge amount of organisation before, during and after the event, plus a stellar team of vendors and a willing clean-up team! So if you're planning a backyard wedding at home, here are 10 key considerations to think about from California wedding photographer, Lianna Marie, who captured this stunning wedding at home near Las Vegas.
Start with the logistics
Before anything else, you'll need to determine your guest list and decide whether your home is large enough to accommodate everyone. If you're planning to hold both the ceremony and reception at home, consider whether you have space to comfortably fit both or whether you will need to turn flip over the space after the ceremony to make room for the reception, plus a dance floor, bar and lounge area.
Consider whether there is enough parking for all of your guests and whether you'll need to acquire any special permits. Also check if your homeowner's insurance covers third parties, and if there are any noise restrictions you need to know about. Don't forget to inform your neighbors of your plans too.
Consider bathroom facilities
The size your guest list will determine whether you need to hire port-o-potties. If you're hosting a small wedding (up to 50 people) and your home has two to three bathrooms, you probably won't need to hire in extra. However, if your guest list is larger or you don't like the idea of guests wondering around your home looking for the bathroom, consider alternatives. Thankfully, you can hire more attractive port-o-potties than the standard plastic models you typically see on building sites!
Decide how to feed your guests
Hiring a caterer tends to be the most popular option as it takes the pressure off you - the couple - and the chef will often design a menu around your favourite foods. However not all catering companies are able to work in private homes so you'll need to research and get quotes. Also find out if they will prepare food on site or make it in advance, and whether they provide serving staff or you'll need to source them separately.
Another idea is to order in catered food from your favorite restaurant. If you're planning a small relaxed event, consider a potluck (where guests contribute dishes) for an informal low-cost option.
Factor in rental costs
Don't underestimate the organisation and cost involved in hiring furniture (such as dining tables and chairs, sofas and a bar) plus plates, dishes, flatware, glassware and napkins. Rental costs quickly add up so borrow whatever you can from friends and family, such as platters, utensils and serving bowls. In addition to the rentals required for the ceremony and reception, you may also wish to create a lounge area with low seating and coffee tables, plus a bar with tall tables, and perhaps a play area for younger guests.
Have a plan B in case of bad weather
If your ceremony or reception (or both) is to take place outside, it pays to have a back-up plan in case of heavy rain. At a traditional wedding venue, there's usually an indoor option to swiftly relocate guests to if necessary, but you may not have the space for this at home. If not, consider hiring tent or pop-up gazebo.
Allow plenty of time to prep
Is your property ready to host a wedding or does it require some work? From cleaning and tidying to gardening and decorating, factor in the time and expense to get these jobs done in plenty of time.
Plan the flow of the day
Take time to walk through the timetable of the day at least once before the wedding. Consider timings and the flow of people through each area, remembering guests neither want to be rushed nor waiting around too long. Starting from when guests arrive, allow ample time for parking, greeting and seating for the ceremony, then plan what happens immediately after and each part of the day right through to the first dance.
If you're having your ceremony and reception in the backyard, do you need to hire someone to help move tables and chairs while guests are entertained elsewhere? How long will this take? Your guests will appreciate the ease of smooth transitions from ceremony to reception.
Organise a clean-up crew
If you've ever thrown a party at home, you'll know the clean-up involved is likely to be an even bigger job after a wedding. Cleaning up at the end of the night and next morning is probably not on your list of newlywed goals so be sure to organise a clean-up crew to get stuck in and help.
Seriously consider a wedding planner
Now you understand everything involved in planning a wedding at home, you'll appreciate the value of hiring a wedding planner - or at the very least, a day-of coordinator - to alleviate stress and help the day run smoothly. Choosing a wedding planner who is experienced in at-home weddings is key as they will be familiar with the logistical challenges and have a contacts book full of recommended suppliers.
Beware well-meaning friends or family members who offer to take on this role, you really need a professional who is adept at managing and paying suppliers, sticking to budget and dealing with unforeseen problems.
vendor details
Photography: Lianna Marie Photography |Planning and design: Ashley Creative Events | Video: Corbin Ballard | Floral design: Layers of Lovely | Linen: La Tavola Linen | Rentals: RSPV Party Rentals | Dance floor: Events by Bliss | Lighting: Led Unplugged | DJ: DJ Mike Fox | Ceremony music: Premiere Wedding Music | Stationery: Emily Rose Ink | Wedding dress: All That Glitters | Bridesmaids Dress: Bella Bridesmaids | Hair:Hair by Jessica Aldrich | Make-up:Paper Bag Beauty | Officiant: Clint Connor | Catering: Cut and Taste | Bar: The Craft | Cake: Las Vegas Custom Cakes | Ice cream cart: Street Freeze | Favor cookies: Cake with a side of cookies
