How to host a backyard wedding

We all know that the wedding industry has changed for good. And honestly, it was about time! Post-pandemic weddings are creative, fun, and super meaningful. If you are thinking of hosting a reception or backyard wedding, make sure to include these few key details into your day to make it intimate and stress-free.

Tip #1: Wear your wedding attire

Whether you held a private ceremony, eloped, or said your vows somewhere else, bring the intimacy back home by wearing your wedding attire to the backyard. It includes the people who might have missed the ceremony and brings a level of authenticity to your celebration. Bonus: you get to wear your dress again! Or have it tailored, like this bride did, so that your dress has a second life and a new twist.

Tip #2: Hire bar tenders

Let’s be honest, you do NOT want to be making drinks for everyone at your reception. Even though it’s in your backyard, you can still get a luxury bar experience right from the comfort of home. Many local vendors will even bring their own special mugs, decorations, and pizzaz to your party (check out the vendors at Jungle for example). So take some pressure off of yourself and skip the DIY here. You won’t regret it.

Tip #3: Bring on the food trucks

Again, if you don’t want to be in the kitchen on your wedding reception day, skip the cooking. Make it a potluck and have every friend bring a dish, or get fancy and hire some food trucks to park in your driveway or street. An informal meal (as opposed to a sit-down one) make socializing more fun, and many vendors will make specific menus based on your theme or tastes.

Tip #4: Skip the cake

Trust me, no one will miss it. Instead, create a new tradition for yourself. Maybe you have everyone bring their favorite baked good with attached recipe, or hire a vendor to support with the sweets. Trust me, even the adults will scream for glee when that ice cream truck pulls up to the party.

Tip #5: Don’t stress seating or decor

When it comes to seating at a backyard reception, you can never have enough. So don’t stress it. Do want you can for eating and eating, but know that humans are adaptable, and even if you provide guests with the chair, they might not sit. People are always standing and chatting at parties, and many guest prefer that interaction. The happiest moments are born out of community, so let people eat and drink where they may.

The same goes for decor. While everyone does love some ambience, that’s not why we come to the party. Guests are here to celebrate you, so don’t stress about decorations that may fall apart or be unusable the next day anyway. Keep things simple: a few fresh flowers, a few candles, and a few momentos can go a long way.

Tip #6: Bring the kids

A backyard reception or wedding is the perfect space to bring everyone. Grassy yards can be great spaces for kids to play, and well-behaved furry friends can bring a lot of joy to the party. If you have the space, include the whole family. It makes for a great group of guests and laughter for years to come.

If a backyard wedding feels like a perfect fit, or you’d like photos like these of your reception, please contact me below to make a connection.