How to Turn a Backyard Into a Wedding Venue
Maybe you’re looking for a cost-effective wedding ceremony space. Perhaps you’re not falling in love with any of the traditional wedding venues you’ve toured with your wedding planner thus far. Maybe you’re having a micro event, and all the available venues feel way too big for your intimate wedding.
If any of these situations apply to you, consider the possibility of turning your backyard into a wedding venue.
We talked to an expert, Nikki Melton, owner of Weddings with Nikki, LLC, about what you need to know for how to turn a backyard into a wedding venue, the associated extra costs, and tips for transforming your own backyard into a magical setting.
What You Will Learn
Should You Have a Backyard Wedding?
Before you jump into hosting a backyard wedding, it’s important to consider whether this option is right for you.
“People think it will be less expensive to host something in their own backyard, but there are tents, chairs, tables, bathroom facilities, catering, and other necessities to consider,” says Melton. “Also, couples have to consider that some vendors may need to use their personal kitchens and bathrooms, and consider how to keep guests from wandering through the house. Whenever I have a client considering a backyard wedding, we talk extensively about every angle.”
Ask yourself:
- Do you have enough space for a wedding in your backyard?This includes space for the ceremony and reception, accommodating the full guest list, parking, and room for any extra rentals you might need, such as a tent, portable toilets, a dance floor, etc.
- Is the space conducive to a wedding?Beyond just having room, what does your yard actually look like, and will it work for rentals? “If you’re sitting on a slope that’s not going to work for a tent or the reception, you’re going to have issues,” says Melton.
- Do you have the DIY savvy to pull off a backyard wedding? Remember, you won’t have the help of a full venue staff to plan your big day because you are the venue. A backyard wedding is definitely more of a DIY wedding, even if you’re not actively assembling centerpieces or floral arrangements yourself.
- Are there rules or regulations that may prevent you from hosting an at-home wedding? Some neighborhoods may have restrictions regarding what kind of rentals you can set up (like large tents) or noise restrictions that may make your backyard wedding reception a bore.
If you have taken these factors into account and decided maybe you can’t host an entire wedding in your backyard, don’t worry — there’s another option.
The Other Option: Split Ceremonies and Receptions
While, in most cases, it’s most cost-effective to hold both your ceremony and reception in the same venue, if one of those venues is your own backyard, you may still be able to save money by splitting the ceremony and reception locations. This is a great idea if your backyard isn’t suitable for hosting both the ceremony and reception.
For example, if you don’t have room to set up tons of chairs for a wedding ceremony, maybe you have a small civil ceremony with a few family members at a private venue, then move the reception to your backyard. Or, vice versa, if you don’t have room for everything you want for your reception, like a large dance floor and food service stations, you might hold a small backyard wedding with minimal guests, and then host a larger party later at an event space that may be suitable for bigger groups.
How to Turn Your Backyard into a Wedding Venue
But if you’ve decided that an at-home wedding ceremony and reception are the perfect fit, you may still be wondering how to turn a simple green landscape into a dream wedding venue.
Step 1: Give Your Existing Landscaping New Life
First, if your yard isn’t gorgeous, you may want to give it new life before hosting a gathering. This could include any necessary repairs, pulling out dead plants, trimming back trees and bushes, and/or planting new shrubs or flower beds.
“If the couple is really into flowers and has patios full of them, that can be a great part of the décor,” says Melton, “and little gardening areas can bring that outdoor feel together.”
Step 2: Rent or Buy the Necessities
A traditional wedding venue provides many items that you’ll need to buy or rent yourself if you’re hosting a home backyard wedding. You’ll want to consider the costs of these rentals or purchases in your overall wedding budget to determine whether or not a backyard wedding will be more cost-effective.
Rentals and extra purchases could include:
Of course, some of these items will be necessary for some couples and not others, depending on the scope of your event, the season, and the size of the guest list.
But even within these general categories, some options can really make the event pop. “There are clear tents, which I think are amazing and give you more of an outdoor feel,” says Melton, though cautiously. “But you’ll also have sunlight that will beam down, so if it’s a summer event, you may want to consider that challenge.”
For tents, Melton says to also focus on the lighting. “You can really jazz up the tent space with beautiful chandeliers that rental companies can hang.” She also recommends ensuring there are spaces for people to get out of the tent, weather permitting. “Maybe lounge areas with an area rug on the grass and incorporating fire pits. It can be a nice little nook for people to go and sit and chat.”
Step 3: Buy the Right Wedding Insurance
Lastly, you’ll definitely want some wedding liability insurance if you’re hosting a backyard wedding.
While you might think you can rely on your homeowners insurance to cover any injuries on your property, your policy may not extend to large events. As such, a secondary wedding liability insurance policy can cover the gaps, keeping you, your guests, your home, and your finances safe.
“There are risks everywhere. For example, if you have a sloped driveway, that can be a fall hazard. … Or, a guest may be parking and accidentally tear up your neighbor’s yard, so it can affect others, not even your own property,” explains Melton.
“This is why I highly encourage couples to hire professionals for their event and always recommend liability insurance,” she adds. When you’re in your own home, the last thing you want is for anything to fall back on your homeowners insurance, and you lose your discounts and everything else that goes with it. It’s not just the cost of what happens to you at that moment; it can impact you over time.”
Simple Backyard Wedding Ideas to Make Your Space Pop
The above three steps will ensure your backyard is suitable for an event like a small wedding. However, if you’re struggling to transform your backyard from a simple green space into a wow-worthy venue, you may just need to tap into some creativity and really think about all the possibilities. There are many avenues to explore, says Melton.
“I always say, I don’t do cookie-cutter weddings. If you want to get married on the roof, we just need some non-slip shoes and a safety harness,” she jokes. “It depends on the couple’s needs and wants, and logistically looking at the situation.”
Here are a few ideas that can take your backyard from bland to beautiful.
- Drape patios, decks, siding, and similar unsightly structures with tulle or other fabric. This can cover up old structures that don’t vibe with your wedding aesthetic. You can either do this or pay professionals to do it for you.
- Hang outdoor lighting in trees or bushes for a rustic or fairytale feel.
- Utilize simple and affordable décor, such as chalkboard signage.
- Create divided spaces for the ceremony, reception, and mixing and mingling, so there’s a better flow.
If you’re planning your own wedding and have a solid vision, you can really make an everyday backyard into a truly enchanting space.
Backyard Wedding FAQs
How Much Does a Backyard Wedding Cost?
While backyard weddings are more affordable than the average traditional wedding venue, which can total $30,000 or more, they still come with plenty of fees, such as equipment rentals and all the other non-venue-related wedding costs. Plan to spend about half of your traditional wedding day budget on a backyard wedding.
Do You Need a Permit for a Backyard Wedding?
Legal restrictions on backyard weddings depend on your neighborhood. Check your local regulations and restrictions, as well as those that may be imposed by an HOA. If not, you could face fines, or your wedding may even be interrupted by law enforcement.
How Many Guests Can Attend a Backyard Wedding?
Most backyards can only accommodate a certain number of guests, so most are micro weddings. Typically, these events are very small and intimate, with fewer than 50 guests total and mostly family members.
How Big Does Your Backyard Need to Be for a Backyard Wedding?
It just needs to be big enough to comfortably fit all your guests, both standing and sitting, and all the equipment you might need to cater to them, including chairs, tables, portable restrooms, etc. Also, remember that you’ll need space for guests to park.
Can You Get a DJ for a Backyard Wedding?
You’ll need to check local noise ordinances to determine if outdoor music is allowed. In any case, it’s a good idea not to have a DJ playing at a backyard wedding after a certain time, such as 9–10 p.m.
Get a Backyard Wedding Insurance Quote from BriteCo
A wedding can be a costly endeavor, even if it’s in your own backyard. From hefty fees like venue rental down to seemingly more minor costs like wedding favors, you can quickly run through a wedding budget.
Ensure your big day and investment are protected with wedding insurance from BriteCo. Our comprehensive policies offer full liability and cancellation coverage, including protection from financial responsibility for guest injuries or property damage.
Get your wedding insurance quote from BriteCo now.
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