Backyard wedding tips

Close friends and family attending your Backyard wedding should be less stressful since you may know some connections through any of them. Word of mouth goes a long way to ask anyone personally you know to do something and cost less (photography, videography, DJ, wedding cake, etc.) with their help. Catering will be more based on per person cost vs. potluck dinner saving more money and checking with whom makes dishes you enjoy and a list to track for the evening.

Rentals can be looked into if your really wanting to fully out and proper for china/cutlery, glasses, linens, tables and tents. Kijiji is a good website that will have vendors offering their services for less than regular companies. It is also good for buying at a less cost tax free too.

I recently attended a reception that could be similar to a backyard wedding, except a community center which they had sturdy disposable plates and cutlery wrapped in serviettes. Food was provided by their favourite catering and good too quality wise. Overall, the work at the end would be less due to no washing and the food being taken home by guests if chosen.

Hey!! Congrats on the engagement!
My wedding isnt outdoors but my cousins was last year! So this is views from a Guest!
She had a large wooden dancefloor outside the tent areas that were circled in pretty lights! There were 2 large tents, one for tables and seats and one to cover the buffet! She actually had friends and family do all of the food (under 100 people) almost a potluck idea it was amazing since there were soooo many options! She had a large kayak set up as the "bar" filled with ice and a variety of drinks! She was worried about bathrooms and too many people needing to go inside so she hired 2 portapotties for the day!
Overall we had a great time and it was beautiful and she was thrilled with all the money they were able to save doing it in their own yard! Best of luck!

Although mine won't be in a backyard we will be having it outside (weather permitting).

One of the biggest things is to make sure you have an indoor option even if it's a tent.

We will be having a DJ but that's mainly because we are having 250 guests so a playlist just won't cut it. Plus there are some songs that aren't on spotify and it's harder to find a good polka IMO.

Our decor is on the back-burner right now as it is still so far away but I can see myself making the centrepieces, bouquets, and the signs for the wedding (arrows and no pictures please).

Can't be of much help with the tent/tables/chairs/dance floor as it is part of the venue I am renting but I do recommend going to the Wonderful Wedding Show show this January!

As for a caterer - so many options but make sure you only look at what you can afford and what you like. For my wedding we are having Danny's Whole Hog and although some people may not like it - it screams "Tori and Kael" and we love it. As well, it's pretty cheap compared to some caterers who are $50 a plate...

The key to a wedding like this is to make sure you have help. Backyard weddings can be absolutely beautiful and especially meaningful when it’s somewhere with meaning like your parents house. It takes a lot more time and people than you will anticipate.

So when it gets closer make sure you have family and friends who are willing to help out (ask them yourselves and give them specific times and tasks). Don’t just expect people to show up on the days to help out or have other people ask for you. This happened to us for my fiancé’s sister’s wedding and it only worked out because I already planned to work from home the day before so we could head up to help. We were happy to go up and help but would of appreciated a heads up so we could of been better prepared. A lot of family just jumped in last minute on the day before and the day without question but it made it a lot more hectic than it needed to be.

Also, have a take down plan for after the wedding. His sister and her new husband took off as soon as the lunch and gift opening were done the next day and so we were left (along with his siblings) to do all the tear down and clean up when none of us were expecting to have to do that. So I would suggest have a plan, ask volunteers ahead of time, and be ready to help out yourself.