Designated Smoking area???

Sure ! Go to the dollar store or somewhere cheaper . Get big terracotta planting pots or thick plastic ones ( Walmart normally has them ) fill them with sand. You can make a sign that says " designated smoking area" believe me when one smoker is their the rest will follow lol

I'd ask the owner where they'd prefer the designated smoking area to be as well. Heck, if they host events like this frequently they may already have a location for it and a proper trash can etc

Smoke triggers my mother's asthma. Believe me, she can smell a cigarette or someone using their fireplace over 100 yards away; she calls herself the human bloodhound. The last wedding she went to (indoors) she had to leave early, because guests kept opening and closing the doors to go outside and smoke. (And she was sitting on the opposite side of the ballroom).

I'd suggest you have the area as far away from the other guests as possible. When we looked for a venue we made sure guests had to walk through 2 rooms to get outside, so the smoke wouldn't back up into where the other 90% of our guests were.

And liability insurance, get that too.

Backyard weddings cause a lot of problems. Hoping for the best for you

Following! Our venue has a no smoking policy on the patio for cocktail hour but we're worried people won't listen and we'll lose the security deposit

I smoke as do a lot of my friends. We are very respectful and alway ask where is it ok to smoke. Set up a spot and make a sign. People will listen, its the norm for them

They may have to go smoke by the road/street to make sure it's off property and far enough for your mom to not be affected by the smoke. Also, as other PP said, make a sign once you have figured out which area to designate.

Smokers will usually be very considerate about their butts at special/wedding events at other's homes or venues. Once you determine a smoking area with the property owner get an outdoor ashtray that helps extinguish the butts and cuts down on odor/smoke smell.

They usually have ashtrays like this at smoking areas at work places to cut down on litter and the material it's made from makes it safer.

Agree with PPs, people who smoke will go where they know there's an ashtray and respectfully far away from non-smokers usually. If you're on a farm is there a bonfire pit somewhere? That's generally the easiest place to throw a cigarette butt. Otherwise fill empty coffee cans with sand, maybe grab a fence post and put a sign on it to designate the area.

@OG Katheryn, I do too, as does my DH and some friends. I don't think non smokers realize how considerate and unobtrusive smokers try to be when around others especially at special events. It's usually the homeless and bums that leave their butts all over the sidewalks outside. (Not trying to put down being homeless but I think disposing of their butts are their least concern).

will seek out an ashtray or garbage can to dispose of mine every time, I hate it when people litter them! ETA-- I live in a big city

I would get one of the standing disposal areas that @Kari suggested. When I smoked, I always looked for one in public places as a way to know where it's okay to smoke.

I am a smoker. I think many of us are so used to smoking areas, you won't have problem. I also recommend a standing outdoor ashtray. Smokers who are unsure of an area where it's ok to smoke will scan the area, when they spot it, they know it's ok to go there. Thats what i do

I would do as @Allie suggested and make a sign and a DIY ashtray! I've seen them done in metal pails, with sand, and then hung on a short shepherd's hook (like for a garden).

Echoing other PP, smokers are used to going to designated smoking areas. Just make it known where it is and there should not be a problem. We will have one at our wedding. Our venue does not have a specific smoking spot but I want one that is away from other people due to some guests allergic to cig smoke.