We are planning on having a very small intimate wedding in August 2016. There will be about 15-20 people with a small wedding party of a best man and a maid of honor. Our budget is about $5000, we are wanting to use our back yard with a tent set up. what does everyone think?
Re: Backyard ceremony and BBQ after.
20 people - That's a great budget to work with. For that, you should be able to bring someone in to do the food for you without having to lift a finger. As long as you're allowing people inside to use your bathrooms (remember to have plenty of supplies on hand - toilet paper, paper towels, garbage can, etc.), you should be o.k. When it comes to the tent, for a group that small it may even be cheaper for you to purchase a nice one to own yourselves depending on how much space you've got. The end of the season sales, craigslist, or local auctions are a great source for this. Plan a power source for your caterer so they can keep hot foods hot and cold ones cold. Also, depending on how warm it is where you live, you maybe want to plan to have the cake/dessert inside for display instead of outside (it'll also prevent bugs from getting in the icing). Sometimes the local Lion's Club will rent out tables/chairs for parties, check this out. Otherwise, they're a great thing to register for otherwise ask friends/family if they've got folding tables/chairs you can use.
Then ask yourself how you want to do plates/silver/glasses, linens/napkins. There are so many options (I found my china service for 20 at a yard sale for $15 - even if a lot of people were bummed we didn't register, I didn't have a need), napkins/linens from Sam's will run you about $40 and you can keep them instead of what any place will gouge you to rent.. You're really at the perfect size to purchase instead of rent, then resell if you don't want to keep things.
One final idea is make sure to royally chill down the house the night before the wedding. The cooler you have it at the start of the day the easier it'll be to keep up with everyone coming in and going outside.