Country Club Vs. Backyard Wedding... Needs adivce Please?!?!?

p&mmcglaun

We are suppose to have our wedding at a golf and country club, but we just found out FH's extended family may not come. Now my fiance has suggested we have a backyard wedding because he is disappointed his mother's side of the family will not be able to come out due to being too old to travel or no funds to travel. Which is understandable. So for the past 5mos we've been planning our wedding at the country club, which is absolutely beautiful! He said he wants me to be happy and wouldn't mind either way but its like starting all over from what we've already done. I keep saying its okay to have a small wedding but if we are having a small wedding he wants a backyard wedding. Which I dont mind, but w/ the costs of renting everything having it outside in the summer is asking alot. Our wedding will be held in Phoenix, Az (Gilbert area- as of right now) but if we get our house we are waiting word on, he wants it in our backyard. Our wedding date is June 12, 2010. Any suggestions? Thanks for listening.

mikesboo23

So it would be more expensive to do it in your yard?  If that's true then the country club you found is a great deal.  I would definitely not pay more for fewer people.  You could also consider doing just the ceremony in your back yard and finding a nearby rental facility for the reception.  Something with tables and everything included that's cheaper.

jennyp08

Hey;I'm all for backyard weddings, and we are currently reevaluating our situation as well, deciding between back yard and a guest ranch.  I live in Tucson, and my main thought when I read your post was "backyard wedding, in Phoenix, in June?"  I chose a date in November so that it could be outdoors and comfortable because I would be so hot being outdoors during the summer. The benefit of a country club (I'm assuming) is that they have an indoor space to use for a summer reception.  If your house could fit everyone if they wanted to be indoors, then go for it.  Otherwise, I'd remind your fiance how hot he'll be dressed up in the summer, in Phoenix.  If the country club is too big for your smaller guest list, look for a smaller reception site first, then go from there.Good luck!

dsouldiva

I would go ahead with what you have planned, they have until June to save the money to travel to the wedding, I'm guessing they are going to have to travel to his mum's house anyway? i.e. if they can travel to his mum's why are they too old to travel to the country club?  If money is a real issue, could you find money in your budget to organise a car/bus for them?My Grandad is really too old to travel anywhere but he would have crawled the 20 mile journey to get to my cousins wedding earlier this year, Wild horses wouldn't have stopped him!If they can't/won't make it you could always have a post wedding house warming or maybe his FMIL could host a post wedding party at her house.Having looked in to a backyard wedding they can work out a lot more expensive than people think since you have to rent everything