Backyard Wedding Tips

by Hilary Covil

We are near water, my hair is blowing in the wind, and the sun is htting the white chairs positioned elegantly in the soft grass.  I always pictured getting married outdoors. So when it came time to decide where to hold my nuptials, my parents' backyard immediately came to mind. Though a bit small, it was right on the marsh, and there was an intimate little alcove where I could picture us already. It would be just perfect, I thought in all my pre-wedding bliss. I came right down to earth, though, when my mom pointed out some practical things like where the tent would fit in the tiny backyard. So, to my disappointment, we didn't end up holding the wedding at the house, and instead chose an antebellum rice plantation, which turned out alright. Are you thinking about putting on a backyard wedding? Don't jump head first. Read on for some tips for evaluating your space to see if it is adequate for your nuptials and for some ideas for making your backyard beautiful, if you have already decided that you are going to take the plunge.

 

Backyard size and shape: Jessica Gibbs, co-owner of A Shindig Southern Event Planning in Wilmington, suggests holding weddings in yards "with a good amount of land". Ideally, it should be a space where both the ceremony and reception can be held because it saves you the cost of finding a reception space, Gibbs said. In addition, if you have the ceremony and reception in one place, it "creates a more intimate event," she said. Megan Gillikin, owner of A Southern Soiree, based in Raleigh, said that backyards should be flat. She said the worst place to hold a ceremony is at the bottom of a slanted hill because water can collect there if it rains. If you are going to use a tent, make sure you hire a professional to measure your space, Gillikin said.

Backyard Decor: Whether you want to go the simple or complex route, there are many ways to make a backyard look wedding-ready. Gibbs recommends enhancing the beauty that is already there. "Use your natural surroundings," she said. She recommends planting flowers that are appropriate for the season, as does Gillikin. Some great seasonal flowers to plant prior to your summer fete include: asters, calla lilies, dahlias and orange blossoms, according to "The Everything Green Wedding Book," by Wenona Napolitano. Also think about how you are going to light your backyard space. Lighting "creates ambiance," said Gillikin. She said they have used "everything from paper lanterns" to "little white lights across the yard." Gibbs suggests rod iron lanterns with pillar candles. She also suggests using citronella lanterns to ward off bugs. There are many ways to give a backyard a unique and personal look. Gibbs said they have brought out hay bales and placed fabric on them and throw pillows, creating a sitting space for guests. Is your backyard near water? Use this tip found in "The Complete Outdoor Wedding Planner" by Sharon Naylor: "Float floral arrangements in bodies of water," and "for added pizzazz as the sun goes down, light safely embedded candles in these arrangements."

Other things to think about: One common thing that people forget to think about, said Gillikin, is whether they will need to rent restrooms. One bathroom may not be enough if you have 100 to 150 people at your wedding, she said. You don't have to go the port-a-john route, though. Gillikin said they have used a company called Royal Restrooms, which has nice facilities. Also, Gillikin recommends have a plan if it rains. She said they recently did a wedding where it rained, and the bride didn't want to rent sides to the tent and also didn't want people in the house. If you do decide to let people in the house, make sure to prepare by moving furniture out of the way, said Gillikin. She also recommends letting neighbors know about the wedding, so they can anticipate noise on the bid day and don't wonder why cars are parked along the street.

If you would like more information on A Southern Soiree or A Shindig Southern Event Planning, you can visit their websites:

    www.ASouthernSoiree.com

    www.AShindigEvents.com

 

 Photos are courtesy of Scott Piner Photographer in Wilmington, NC (top left) and A Southern Soiree in Raleigh, NC (bottom right).

 

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