Anyone have any easy backyard wedding ideas?

That depends, do you have a rain plan?

View Quoted Comment I do not 😳

View Quoted Comment The owner of the home said to rent a tent but 3 weeks are required in advance I'm not sure how I'll know ahead of time to rent a tent!

View Quoted Comment Then I would suggest if you don’t have a rain plan, to definitely rent the tent. Or check online to see if you can buy a tent as it might be cheaper than renting it believe it or not. You can find cheap draping to put across the top, and twinkle lights/Christmas string lights are super cheap! You can also do basic DIY floral using dollar store mason jars. You could also find some draping fabric for the sides of the tent. If you get it at a fabric store you can get it by the yard for super cheap. You may also want to think about doing horse shoe style seating with rectangular tables. This will give you a lot more space for walking and dancing.

View Quoted Comment Thank you, I like those ideas!! Definitely helpful. I appreciate it!!

Draping with fabric bought in bulk was my first thought also. You can buy tulle by the yard and then use it to create decorative bows to accent the posts or the tent. There are many DIY tutorials online if you don't know how to make them yourself. This is just one style but you can do anything really.

View Quoted Comment Thank you!! I will look up some ideas on how to do that. The event space hasn't had any wedding yet, so any ideas will help!!

A little more info might be helpful to provide ideas for set up. How many guests? Will the backyard be used for both the ceremony AND reception? Is the “platform” in the middle with the tan chairs removable? What time is the wedding? Do you have a pic of the backyard from the other direction?

View Quoted Comment Hi!! Yes, ceremony is in the dock. Reception in the yard. Wedding starts at 5pm, 50 guests. The long table moves out with the 2 benches. the firepit is stationery. The hammock will be removed. Thank you for responding!!

View Quoted Comment That’s beautiful! Larger than it looked in the first picture. It sounds like you’re plan is to have the tables already in place but the chairs will be at the ceremony (and need to be moved to the tables afterward).


I don’t know the style of your wedding or the colors. But with beautiful backdrops, I feel like lots of decorations aren’t needed. So that automatically keeps the price lower. I’d play off of the green and white that’s already present in the lakefront environment and maybe add in gold accents. For the ceremony, I would hang round paper lanterns (or even strands of flowers) from the ceiling of the dock at different heights. I’d get nice floor-length table linens and do clusters of pillar candles of different heights for centerpieces (you can get candles and glass holders inexpensively from Dollar Tree or even from former brides on online groups or on Offer Up, etc.)
You really don’t need a lot out there because it’s already naturally beautiful. A few inspiration photos…

View Quoted Comment Incredible, that is what I was thinking too. Just wasn't sure what else I could do. I want to keep it simple and beautiful and use my surroundings as my deco. Thank you, I love the ideas you have!!

View Quoted Comment It’s going to be great…. Congrats!!!

String lights everywhere will make a huge impact... on the dock roof, in the seating area, etc. Honestly I think with ample string lights and florals you could transform this backyard into a gorgeous wedding setting!

Definitely get a tent, rent chairs, etc. How many guests are you planning!

Also what is the bathroom situation like?

View Quoted Comment Two bathrooms downstairs, it is a small wedding. Yes, to little lights and string lights! 50 guests, small and intimate. The space is so pretty!!

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We had a 50 guest wedding and it was a really good number. We had two bathrooms and that worked well, although I think they did get a lot of use. Your wedding is going to be so pretty!

View Quoted Comment Thank you, I hope so!!! I keep trying to vision what it will be like all done. I am going to look at event rental furniture soon. Def glad 2 bathrooms will be enough!!

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Yea I feel like when people first arrived there was a bit of a line (like a 1-2 person wait), but it seemed fine the rest of the night. My husband was going to the bathroom constantly (it was so annoying, but I at least he enjoyed the alcohol). I only had to wait to get in the bathroom once (and that was at the beginning, when people were first getting there).

That's so funny, glad he had a good time!! There is a 3rd bathroom in the suite I'll be getting ready in 😁 I can sneak up there if need be.