How close the neighbors are and if you’ll invite them.

No one wants to be listening to blaring music, the hum of lots of voices talking, and rowdy guests until 2 AM when you’re in the comfort of your own home. Make sure you talk to neighbors and let them know what you’re planning, and even invite them to join in on the phone so they won’t be sitting at home annoyed with you.

If you have acres of land and plenty of space, no worries there! Just make sure you’re complying with local noise ordinances so you don’t get fined for being too loud.

Does it fit your vision?

You may need to alter your dream wedding vision a little bit here, but don’t change it so much that it doesn’t feel like the day you imagined at all. Think long and hard about whether it’s a better choice for you to wait and still have the exact wedding you’ve imagined or planned, or if you can make the necessary adjustments to have a backyard vision on a quicker timeline and still be super happy with it.

Plan Your Menu Accordingly

Will you cater your event or will family members cook? If you’re hiring a caterer, you’ll want to work with them to make sure they’ll have room to either cook on the premises or adequate space to set up.

Food is a super important detail so make sure you’re considering food prep, seating, if you’ll have servers or buffet-style meal distribution, etc. A great way to get food to guests in a small space would be to do it hors d’oeuvres style and have servers pass snack-size portions around.

If you’re working with a larger space, buffet-style is not only visually appealing but ensures everyone gets enough to eat, offers guests a wider variety, and creates a more formal experience.

If you don’t want to have any of those options, you can always be super trendy and hire a food truck to park out front – as long as it doesn’t block your neighbor’s driveway!

Use Decor to Create a Vibe

How your outdoor space feels is going to be heavily impacted by how you decorate it. Use lots of lights to define the space & create a mood when the sun goes down, loads of florals and greenery, and anything else you can envision! The more detail you put into your decor for a backyard wedding, the more special it’s going to feel.

Bright white and lush floral arrangements make this ceremony space so beautiful and dreamy.

Use lights to create your own starry night and falling strands to draw the eye up. Simple table decor keeps all eyes on the lights above.

Use candles and natural-feeling materials and colors to create a boho-chic table setting.

Get the Music Pumping!

Everyone loves to dance at a wedding! Make sure you have an adequate sound system and a playlist that lasts for hours (don’t let the music suddenly stop!) or hire a professional to keep the party going.

DJ services will often bring their own speaker set up, lights and even a dance floor which can really boost your backyard wedding and create a fun, party atmosphere. Letting a DJ set up and take care of these aspects also means less work and coordination for you!

You’ll also want to make sure you’re complying with your local noise ordinances and determine if you need a special license or permit to have music and an event in your space.

Create Unique Experiences

A backyard wedding is unique all by itself, but you can further amp it up by adding elements people have never seen before! Get creative with the bar, dessert table, decor, and more.

This make-shift bar is rustic and gorgeous! Large barrels with a wooden bar top and adorable signs makes for the perfect rustic backyard-bar.

Shelves of desserts will completely wow your guests and make sure there’s something sweet for everyone!

Give your guests the perfect late-night or cocktail hour snack with a DIY popcorn bar! You could also use this idea with s’mores, sundae’s, snacks… the options are endless!

Plan Games + Activities

Keep guests engaged and having fun by providing yard games for your guests to enjoy either during cocktail hour or throughout the reception. This also helps loosen people up and break the ice if they don’t already know each other. Everyone loves games!

Cornhole

This low-key game is perfect for young and old guests alike. Take it to the next level with custom boards for your big day!

Jenga

This yard game is full of laughs and good times as guests try to pull the blocks out without letting the rest of the tower fall. Paint the blocks with your wedding color palette to tie it in with your decor.

Ring Toss

Simple and sweet, just how we like it at a wedding! Ring toss is a classic game that everyone can enjoy and the set up is so easy.

 

Backyard Wedding Planning Mistakes

Not Budgeting

Many venues, while costing a lot in theory, offer a lot of details that you will otherwise have to shell out for if you want them included on your big day. These can include a dance floor, tent, air conditioning or heat, flooring, chairs, tables, lighting, and decor. Make sure you’re accounting for all of these necessities when planning your backyard wedding so you don’t end up with surprise costs or disappointment on your big day.

Get Permits & Licenses

Depending on your city, state and county laws & regulations, you may need specific permits and licenses to hold an event in your residential space. You’ll also need to make sure you’re not violating any noise ordinances.

Have Adequate Lighting

Lighting can be an easy thing to forget when planning a backyard wedding. Hang up a few string lights and call it good? That might not be enough for guests to move around safely, especially elderly ones. Dance floor lighting is always an extra plus for setting the party atmosphere and getting your friends out on the dance floor.

Communicate with Neighbors

No one wants to be kept up until 2 AM with loud music when they’re in their home, or unable to get out of the driveway because it’s blocked with wedding guests’ cars. Make sure you speak to your neighbors well in advance of the wedding about what you’ll be setting up and what they’ll need to expect. It may also be a good idea to start the wedding earlier and end earlier to avoid upsetting neighbors, or invite neighbors to come enjoy the fun so they won’t be at home being bothered by the noise.

Have a Plan B

As we mentioned earlier, you’ll want to make sure you have space to move everyone inside in the event of rain, or have a tent available. Tents can be expensive depending on the size and quality so make sure you are planning for any adverse weather so you’re not scrambling day-of.

Get Insurance

Are you covered if a guest breaks something or causes major property damage? Look into what insurance you can get for your property on your big day, as well as make sure any vendors you hire has appropriate insurance.

Consider Catering Arrangements

You’ll likely be hiring a caterer for your event (unless your family is doing the cooking) so make sure that they have the necessary space to work and set up. You’ll need to work closely with you caterer to see what they’ll need from you and your space to prepare, what they’ll need during the event, and how to create a menu that accommodates your preferences and what the space allows for.

Invest in a Generator

You’ll likely be using a lot more power than usual when hosting an event in your yard. You’ll have lots of lights on, speakers set up, and more so make sure your home is prepared for that kind of energy requirement. Renting or buying a generator can make sure you don’t lose power in the middle of your reception.

 

Overall, there’s a lot to consider when having a backyard wedding, or any type of wedding! Evaluate what you’re dreaming of, how it aligns with your budget, and make a timeline/checklist to stay on track and avoid overwhelm.

If your budget allows for it, there are lots of wedding planners that even specialize in backyard and outdoor weddings and can help you avoid any mistakes you may encounter, as well as help your wedding day go much smoother!

 

See our top 31 backyard wedding ideas for more backyard wedding inspiration to design your dream day!