Embracing the Magic of A backyard Wedding
Embracing the Magic of A backyard Wedding
When you’re looking at a wedding venue, there’s a million things to have in mind: the food, the scenery, the vibes, the lighting, the set up, the seating, the aesthetic, the location and, of course, the cost. And, let me tell you, there are SO many gorgeous venues all over the world to choose from. I’ve been to stunning destinations, offbeat corners and downtowns, little hideaways no one ever expected, and of course the classic chapel or twenty.
Just like anything else, where you have your wedding should be
100% completely and entirely you. It should fit your vibe as a couple, make you both have an amazing time, and not make you sob at the dollar signs (ideally.)
But one sort of wedding venue I don’t want you to overlook is the classic backyard wedding. There’s a million kinds of venues- and a million kinds of backyards. Whether you’d love the love of a modern poolside, an old-fashioned gazebo, an intimate patio, a lush garden, a sweeping lawn, or a glimmering rooftop- backyard weddings really carry their own kind of charm.
Your backyard venue could be anything from your childhood backyard to your aunt’s ranch to your good friend’s patio, or even a friend from church or the neighborhood. It can be as sentimental or purely beautiful as you want it to be and how much finances are a factor can be totally up to you. If you lean on good friends or family, I’d highly suggest a very loving thank you gift- but you may not need to pay them directly at all. Especially for younger couples, this can be maybe the most affordable way to get a beautiful outdoor wedding at a fraction of a traditional venue cost.
If you’re going to go for a backyard wedding, or are a little interested in one- here are my best notes for you, as someone who’s attended a million weddings and counting.
- Remember what matters most to you.
Maybe it’s cost, maybe it’s location, maybe it’s sentimentality- always make sure to walk into any venue selection process with your priorities in mind. Reaching out to family can feel a little sticky sometimes, so don’t forget that family pressure never outweighs your desires. Even if your step-mom refuses to stop mentioning her stunning fountain in her side yard, that doesn’t change that you want a more desert oasis vibe or really want your good friend to host your wedding.
- Consider the logistics.
I know, I know. Logistics isn’t the sexiest word when it comes to anything, but if you wanna have a good backyard wedding you or someone you trust is going to have to do some logistics to make it work. How are you going to do food? How will you do mics and speakers? Do you want a dance floor? How about tables and chairs? Backyard weddings come with the extra challenge (or fun!) of getting to do a lot of these steps yourself. While it can feel like extra work, it can also give you extra freedom to pick your favorite caterer or create whatever layout you’d like. But as you’re scoping out a backyard, remember all the bits of your wedding and spend some time mapping out how they’d work in the space. If you’re planning on 100 guests, maybe your friend’s cottage garden isn’t the best fit, but it may be a beautiful space that’ll hardly need any extra decorating.
No matter what’s motivating you to consider a backyard wedding, let it be a potential for magic and fun rather than just another stressor! Your wedding should always be about you and your partner, and having your special day in the cozy space of a backyard can be just another way to make it even more romantic.



