Backyard reception?

I'm going to give my perspective from both a bride that initially tried to plan a backyard wedding and from a guest that just attended a backyard wedding.

1) It's not cost saving unless your budget is like $500. Then a backyard wedding is just out of your budget. It's more expensive than venues. You have to rent EVERYTHING. Tents, dance floors, tables, chairs, linens, lighting, insurance, bathrooms, AC/heaters etc. We priced out all the rentals and it was like $3200, not including dinnerware. We found a venue that was 100x nicer and was just a few hundred dollars more and had air conditioning.

2) I just attended a backyard wedding. Yes, the ceremony was beautiful but the reception was bland. Not memorable, really. I left at 8PM with some other people, right after dinner. It was in the low 50's and there was no heat, we were outside and cold. Some immediate family was loved enough to be able to go inside and eat on the kitchen table where they were warm. There was no dance floor (except large enough for maybe 5-6 people), and it was a dry wedding so there really wasn't anything to do after dinner. There were about 70-80 guests in attendance and ONE bathroom that we were "allowed" to use inside the home. At any given time there was 3-5 people in line for the bathroom. It was weird. And don't rent porte-potties, that's weird too. They had the reception in the pool patio area, there wasn't enough round tables for guests so they just set up cocktail tabes. There was no seating chart so whomever didn't get to the tables quick enough was forced to stand while eating dinner.

Bugs weren't a problem because it was cold, but that would be something to take into consideration.

It's usually way more expensive, and much more of a headache, to do everything a la carte, in your backyard, vs. at a venue.

Have you looked at restaurants that aren't dedicated wedding venues?

My parents had a backyard wedding and said it was the best choice they had ever made. They probably had around 60 guests that according to them passed out all over the house afterwards. It is a long and lovely story. I doubt they saved a ton of money since you still need a lot of things that go into it. They wanted to do it since it would be where they were building their life together! Honestly with all the rentals you may want to check out venues unless you want to do it for sentimental reasons!

If you are not having a dance I would look into restaurants as a reception site. Our wedding is in the afternoon and the event room is free. It is gorgeous, btw. Windows with stained glass, beautiful tables and chairs - check out some favorites and see if that is an option.

I am hosting a family gathering at a local park this summer and the rentals for that (and it is just a gathering/reunion) is getting pricey.

View Quoted Comment Oany but you're not getting all this for free. Someone is paying for it, it's just not you. It's incredibly rude to rely on other people to throw your optional party.

View Quoted Comment Ok where did I say I have other people paying for anything besides a family member who volunteered to help with the remaining balance of the rental. Before you call someone rude understand reading is fundamental, I said networking in the sense the DJ is my fiancee uncle the caterer is a childhood friend and the pastor is my best friends father ect. Now what's RUDE is assuming because most of my vendors who are family or friends that it's FREE hunny no. No where near the case we may get a discount but nothing is free . even if that was the case and they did not want to charge me I would allow it WHY again reading is fundamental I work in the service industry.i understand how hard it is to build your own brand and support yourself on your god given skill. SO PLEASE reread my post before you pass incorrect judgement
#haveseveralseats

Never been to one, but I'm going to be having one myself. Not so much to save money - we still need to rent a tent, which doesn't cost much less than venues around here. But the benefit is that we have more control over everything and TIME for setting up and breaking down. Instead of hiring a florist we're doing extensive landscaping and planting lots of flowers, which will be an improvement to the property that outlasts the wedding. Guests can bring gifts straight to the venue without them getting lost. No need to kick our friends out at closing time or scramble to clear everything out at the end of the night. Then of course there's the sentimental factor of having the event in your family home.

Some tips would be to make sure you notify your neighbors in advance (better yet, invite them if you have room) so they don't get upset about the noise, see if you need to file for a noise permit in your area, maybe even let the cops know you're having a wedding there so they're aware in advance, and confirm where people will be able to park.

We initially wanted to do this to save money but found it ends up being about the same if not more and it’s way more stressful In the long run. We opted instead to choose a venue and the venue we fell in love with had no food minimum on fridays so to save we went with a Friday! Backyard weddings can be beautiful but if you’re goal is to save some money, I would look at venues not only money wise but for your sanity lol.

I’ve been to two backyard weddings and they were quick events. Both were catered but one was more like a backyard bbq and the other had real plates/silverware provided by the caterer. One served sangria/iced tea/water, and I think the other was dry. Both really ended after dinner. I think both were 40-50 people. People just used the bathrooms in the house but since it was basically just dinner (ceremony was elsewhere) and then people started leaving, it wasn’t so bad. One was in MD and it was incredibly hot and uncomfortable. The other was in Rhode Island and it was kind of breezy and cool since the house was near the water.

I was going to .. but as soon as i started pricing out everything .. it became way to much .. ot was cheaper to get a venue for 140 pp