Backyard wedding!

missyt622

How many brides had a successful backyard wedding? I am debating if i want one.

em01092

I haven't had one, but have been to them. They are great. If you keep the GL and budget small, it can totally work. Keep things simple and easy. You will probably have to rent tables and chairs, as well as flooring if you wish to have a hard service for dancing (unless you have a large patio or deck). You may also have to rent sound or lighting equipment for the ceremony. It could wind up costing as much, plus added hassel, to have it at home than a venue that already has all of this stuff. 

One important thing to remember is bathrooms. Make sure your guests will have adequate access to the facilities! Also make sure the homeowner's insurance will cover any injuries or accidents. Parking is another possible issue. You don't want cars being towed or your neighbors pissed off. 

missyt622

good point and i agree!

TiffannieF

My brother's wedding was a backyard wedding.  About 50 people or so that came.

We gave out my phone number (I was the coordinator) to all the neighbors to let them know we will be having a wedding and if anybody blocks their drive way to please call.  The neighbors were VERY appreciative.  We also had my cousin and DH coordinate parking to insure nobody was blocking driveways.

We had the ceremony in the backyard, then everybody went out front for the cocktails while we put out the tables and centerpieces for dinner.

I think it cost about $3000 for their wedding (after renting chairs, tables, canopy, cake, flowers, food (which was made by aunt/uncle), plates, cups, eating utensils, wine, beer, punch, water, officiant, dress, suits, and maybe some other stuff...

missyt622

that was my whole idea if we did that, his family cooks very well so we will have them cook some stuff up that we can have and if its a nice day and check the weather to make sure it will be then we dont have to worry about the tent...

em01092

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_backyard-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:43b84b8d-0657-4afa-85c6-1e9b4b6f6eadPost:4797eff1-0740-4913-9171-7b5e1564bf9a">Re: Backyard wedding!</a>:
[QUOTE]that was my whole idea if we did that,<strong> his family cooks very well so we will have them cook some stuff up that we can have</strong> and if its a nice day and check the weather to<strong> make sure it will be then we dont have to worry about the tent...</strong>
Posted by missyt622[/QUOTE]

<div>I am NOT a fan of this at all. Yes it would save money, but I am not a fan of doing anything that puts your friends and family out. Think of how stressed they will be on your wedding day! They have to get themselves ready and will want to enjoy themselves. I would not want to burden them with cooking, preparing, and serving food. Definitely look into having a caterer, and see if you could hire some church/VFW/ladies groups serve the meal or something. </div><div>
</div><div>Also, you really can't get a tent last minute. You should look into renting one, and that way you have some shade if it's sunny, and cover for rain. Where would you have the wedding if it did rain and you had arranged no tent or other plan?</div>

marriedfilingjointly

Get bent, Gholsongirl.  

TiffannieF

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_backyard-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:43b84b8d-0657-4afa-85c6-1e9b4b6f6eadPost:55519354-4859-48a4-a875-fd7bc4936738">Re: Backyard wedding!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Backyard wedding! : I am NOT a fan of this at all. Yes it would save money, but I am not a fan of doing anything that puts your friends and family out. Think of how stressed they will be on your wedding day! They have to get themselves ready and will want to enjoy themselves. I would not want to burden them with cooking, preparing, and serving food. Definitely look into having a caterer, and see if you could hire some church/VFW/ladies groups serve the meal or something.  Also, you really can't get a tent last minute. You should look into renting one, and that way you have some shade if it's sunny, and cover for rain. Where would you have the wedding if it did rain and you had arranged no tent or other plan?
Posted by em01092[/QUOTE]

I completely agree to listen to this.

For my brothers wedding we were all happy to volunteer for it.  But I will say my aunt (who hosted, prepped food, etc) MADE THIS HUGE DEAL ABOUT IT.  When she volunteered to host the wedding, pay for a portion, and cook/prep food she made it seem like it would be the biggest honor of her life, as in she needs nothing in return, she is just doing it out of love.  Ya...WRONG.  My brother and his wife publicly thanked her in front of guests, came over the next day to clean up and thanked her again....NOT ENOUGH FOR HER.  She started talking major smack about him and his wife that they were super ungrateful for everything she did and that they never thanked her.  It was ridiculous.  And has caused A LOT of drama and hurt feelings.

kmmssg

It is one thing if family VOLUNTEERS to help with food for the wedding, but it is entirely another to ask them to do it.

Someone has to keep the food refilled at the proper serving temperature - hot or cold foods - and clean up.  Your family should not be asked to do any of that.

You can hire people for 10 bucks an hour to take care of the food line and clean up but you really need to go in a different direction for the food itself.  Maybe a restaurant that caters in your area where you can pick up the food and let your hired help have at it would work.

Sweetg1rl084

If you are in a budget then maybe a backyard wedding might be nice..Just remember to have a tent incase it gets too hot or rains....also portable pottys are good... make sure that ur neighbors are OK with it and that they wont call the cops if it gets a bit loud.... About family voluntering I think will be nice but to a certain point,  remember you also want them to enjoy the night....
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My FI and I are planning a backyard wedding, we making sure to have a tent portable restrooms, and I decided that I will let all my neighbors know I am having a wedding and that they are invited since is a dead end street they arent that many neighbors.....I also will be asking them (plus giving gift) if they can please put their cars in their driveway that day.... HOpefully everything works out.....
 

Chels&Jimmy

I wish we could have a backyard reception! Unfortunately we live in an apartment.

TiffannieF

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_backyard-wedding?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:43b84b8d-0657-4afa-85c6-1e9b4b6f6eadPost:86e128bb-f3e8-4061-b115-177cf0d5084d">Re: Backyard wedding!</a>:
[QUOTE]I wish we could have a backyard reception! Unfortunately we live in an apartment. :(
Posted by Chels&Jimmy[/QUOTE]

My brother also lived in an apartment but we had the wedding in my aunt's backyard.  Anybody in your family have a nice/big backyard?