Classy and inexpensive backyard wedding, can it be done and can it be fun?

Question

I would like it to be well under $ 5000 au. We have a really large back yard with a beautiful big tree which I want to be married under.

Answer 1

Well how many people are you inviting? Are you going to have to rent tables/chairs? Who is going to clean up after?

Sure it can be done, but it also requries a significant amount of effort. The benefit you get from renting some place, is they are responsible for the cooking, cleaning, setting up, etc. Given the large number of things you will have to do the last few days, do you really want to also confirm you have enough tables, chairs, napkings, chicken, carrorts, forks...

Answer 2

Themed weddings are very popular these days. Being as you didn't define the design of the backyard you want to have the wedding in, I suggest you go with what ever theme is there. If it is a kids haven, go for a theme park thing, if it is a family cook out style back yard, do that. If you are really lucky, the yard is repleat with beautiful plants ready to bloom on your special day. If the latter is true, use the colors of the blooms as the design base. These "Garden Weddings" can be WONDERFUL but don't forget, weather is unpredictable so have space inside prepared for "just in case".

I see a vision of everyone in summer cloths, sundresses and dockers with white shirts. I would suggest the invitations really denote the theme of the wedding even to the point of suggesting clothing. Spread the word by mouth and get people excited over the idea of a night dancing under the stars! You can rent a dance floor for the grass which can house some tables and chairs before dancing starts. Remember the space is limited so have extra hands working with you for mobility of items within the space.


I did a backyard wedding for a friend, I am a minister so she wanted my full input. We did a flower child theme cause they were old hippies. The yard was decked out in flowers everywhere. They got everyone they knew to lend them silk flowers so even the fences were decorated. The music was a simple 6 cd changer with 60's music and they had the rented floor for dancing. The ceremony was done with everyone standing in a circle around the three of us. Beautiful.


I also did a wedding for a Celtic couple. This was at a park and the reception was at their homes basement. The theme was Celtic and the ceremony was ancient handfasting. Everyone came "as they were" (his friends were a part of a social motorcycle club which did fund raisers for kids). The music remained Celtic throughout and the wedding party was in full Celtic regalia.

Themes are wonderful and memorable. GO FOR IT!

Answer 3

yes. I am doing a Asian themed wedding but it isn't in my backyard. But this could be done really inexpensively. Get Christmas lights on sale after the holidays or try the wholesale websites online. You can by tulle and fabric in bulk and do really neat things with that. I am using table lanterns that we bought for about $11 each and using candles galore but you can also make shoji style lanterns yourself. I am purchasing paper lanterns online from www.asianideas.com and they are really inexpensive. You can invest in nice landscaping that will dress up your yard and not be wasted. Another idea that wouldn't be too expensive would be a Italian/Tuscan style. Pasta stations are always an inexpensive choice from most caterers and you can do lots with white lights like making a grid over the dance area. Table decoration ideas could be a distressed looking terracotta pot with rosemary planed inside surrounded by candles and ribbon. Try to get a florist and cake person that do things out of their homes because it cost much less. Remember, less is more. You can be very dramatic by using lush green plants instead of lavish flower arrangements. I say dress up the yard with landscaping, a homemade trellis to get married under and it will be fabulous! is your yard fenced in? You could do tons of cool stuff with that... What is your budget like?

Answer 4

Yes I believe it can be done and it saves so much money on a hall. You do take the chance of rain however. I know some may think this is dumb but pick yourself up a Farmers Almanac to check what they say about the weather for the date you pick. They are pretty acurate and anyone I know that has had an outdoor wedding has used it. You could rent chairs tables and a gazebo very cheap. I think doing simple picnic type foods would be good to. Afriend of mine used tiki torches to make the aisle stand out with white ribbon and sashes.

Answer 5

It absolutely can be done....andit absolutely can be even more fun than a big elaborate affair!!

Check out craft stores like Michaels & AC Moore for some fun ideas. If you go to borders or barnes & noble you can get a book on how to do it right. The only thing you need to seriously consider is how your neighbors will react to two things 1) the music and 2) the parking in the neighborhood.

Also, you are going to do it all yourself, make sure you get a great wedding planner (book, not a person:)). It will keep you organized. You will need to keep track of so many more vendors than if you had a banquet manager at a reception facility, and a good planner will help you do that. It will become your bible. It's a must!

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Have fun & good luck!!!

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Answer 6

"Classy" has nothing to do with a big house or perfectly landscaped gardens. You can use candles and white Christmas lights to bring light and beauty to the backyard. Stay away from balloons and streamers or it will look like a child's birthday party. Chinese lanterns can be hung almost anywhere and can really add a touch of beauty.

Answer 7

Hire some caterers to take the trouble out of the food preparation. Get some carpet samples to use as an aisle. if you have room hire a dancefloor and simply program your computer with the songs you want to save on a dj.
Most things can be hired quite cheaply.
If you're really casual you could say byo instead of gifts.

Answer 8

I was the best man at my buddy's wedding. He was young, a newly qualified artisan, and his bride was a waitress. Money was extremely tight, especially with a baby on the way.
The reception was at a local dam, in a little sort of storage shed/hall, close to the water's edge.
We put a sheep on a spit barbeque, made a variety of salads, bought a few bottles of sparkling wine, beers and a few soft drinks.
It has been one of the best party's that I have ever gone to.

Answer 9

you can have a beautiful fun and inexpenisve wedding if you look for bargins here are some tips...

Flowers
-If you have a flower garden use them for the bouquets and centerpeices
-have it in spring when flowers are in bloom
-fake flowers/silk flowers look real and are cheap
-inexpensive flowers such as dasiys or sun flowers. Stay away from roses they are more money

Food/drinks
-Have a bbq
-paper plates and cups
-buy frozen drinks and mix in the water yourself in a large punch bowl
-Have family members help cook the night before
-cheap wine with a picture of bride and groom make it look more expensive

Tables
-plastic table clothes
-Jelly beans on each table in glasses
- flowers for the centre, or water in a glass vase with tea lights

Music
-Borrow cds or burn cds with favorite songs

Congrats

Answer 10

The Feb/March issue of Cosmopolitan Bride has some great ideas for garden weddings.

Yes, I think it can definately be done if it's the right time of year and with the right type of reception theme.

All the best,
-emay