Backyard weddings are romantic, intimate and always memorable, but they come with their fair share of challenges, note the wedding editors at Loverly.com. Before you open your home and garden for your own wedding or the wedding of another bride and groom, here are some things to keep in mind:
Consider logistics. Look at the guest list and decide whether your home or yard is big enough. If not, can you cut it down? Is there sufficient parking available? Will you need a party permit in your city, and are there any noise restrictions?
Tell your neighbors. The last thing you need is your neighbor’s dog barking during the ceremony, or an agitated neighbor yelling over the fence. Avoid this and other snafus by letting neighbors in on your plans. Whether or not they are invited, maybe they’ll offer their driveways for parking.
Think about bathrooms. If the wedding is small (30 -50 people) and your home offers two or three bathrooms, you won’t need to rent portable toilets. But if the guest list is bigger, or you have just one bathroom, consider viable alternatives.
Decide what to rent or borrow. You probably don’t have enough dishes, flatware, stemware, tables or chairs, which means you’ll need to either rent some or borrow some from your nearest and dearest. Embrace the mix and match look with a lovely, eclectic array of tablecloths and tableware.
Make catering plans early. Get price quotes and details from a few caterers. You could also order in catered food from a favorite local restaurant. Or, if your friends love to cook, a potluck is a thrifty option.
Have a bad weather back-up plan. Weather is never completely trustworthy. Do you have enough room to move the wedding indoors if necessary? If not, rent a tent to have on hand.
Don’t forget your own pets. For their safety and the comfort of your guests, it may be best to board them for the day.
Organize the clean-up crew. It’s very likely you won’t want to face the clean-up. Arrange in advance for a clean-up crew—either hired or bribed. And if they’re bribed, have the thank-you details pre-arranged.
