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Mrs. S
Dedicated September 2020

Last min backyard wedding help!

Mrs. S, on August 18, 2020 at 6:27 PM Posted in Planning 1 27
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Hey guys! Need some help/advice on a classy backyard wedding for Sept 12, 2020! We decided to cancel venue with all the restrictions and have it exactly the way we want in the backyard. I’m struggling with making sure I’m booking everything we need and even how much alcohol to buy.


I’m renting tent/tables/chairs/linens/a bar (I am having a few bartender friends serve drinks so it’s a little more formal), have the dj coming and the venue is still catering our original food choice which is awesome. I just don’t want to forget anything! How do I know how much alcohol person to purchase per guest? Should I check pricing on full flooring for under the tent? Or is that not worth it? Anything you would have done differently or forgot to do? Calling on my fellow brides for some help!! Thank you in advance!
Sincerely someone who is over Covid and just wants to marry her HS sweetheart😭

27 Comments

Latest activity by Mrs. S, on August 21, 2020 at 5:19 AM
  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    I think if you check for a dance floor pricing it might very well be worth it! i rented it for my venue and it was $300 but you might be able to find a cheaper one, i don't know.

    there are drink calculators online but they might not be accurate.

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  • M
    VIP January 2019
    Maggie ·
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    How many guests? There are online calculators for how much alcohol you need. If your bartender friends are experienced, ask their advice for what to buy. Is the caterer providing servers? Who is setting up? Cleaning up? Do you have enough bathrooms and parking for your guests? Do you have local noise ordinances re. the DJ? I don't know about flooring for the whole tent, but you will want a dance floor if you are expecting people to dance.

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  • Mrs. S
    Dedicated September 2020
    Mrs. S ·
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    Roughly 70 guests, I am renting a nice bathroom trailer, and yes I can ask the bartenders! Good call! Definitely getting a dance floor, wasn’t sure if the whole floor was overkill or just the dance floor was needed. The venue said they are sending servers. I will have to find out about cleanup and noise ordinance! Thank you!!
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  • Mrs. S
    Dedicated September 2020
    Mrs. S ·
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    I’ll look into the drink calculator! And I’ll get a dance floor but I didn’t know If I wanted anyone with heels to worry about the grass and heel stick-age lol
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  • Margaret
    Master October 2020
    Margaret ·
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    What kind of drinkers do you have primarily? Beer, wine or liquor. If you search some of the forums I’ve answered this a couple of times and posted a link. It’s usually a 50 / 20 / 20 ratio and average 2 drink pp for the first hour and 1-1.5 for each remaining hour
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  • Mrs. S
    Dedicated September 2020
    Mrs. S ·
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    I would say primarily liquor, I definitely want to make sure I have a balanced amount for everyone but don’t want to over buy either! Thank you for that ratio!!😊
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  • Patti
    Just Said Yes October 2020
    Patti ·
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    We've also recently cancelled our venue and are doing a backyard tent wedding instead. It's crazy how much goes into a backyard wedding, especially with a short time frame to plan! It sounds like you have everything rented that I've thought of Smiley smile

    For alcohol- there are calculators as people have said but you can also return unopened alcohol to some places (Costco (I think, but it looks like maybe not everywhere), Binny's, maybe others) so I'd check with bigger places near you and their policies. We plan to overbuy and return what we don't use...way better than running out!

    We aren't doing a full tent floor, just the dance floor. It didn't seem worth it to me but it's different for everyone of course. I'll probably informally let most guests know so they can wear appropriate shoes. I think most people assume there will be some grassy areas when it's a backyard wedding.

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  • Mrs. S
    Dedicated September 2020
    Mrs. S ·
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    Awesome!! I’m sure you both felt the same we did, it just makes more sense to have it im the backyard then to have it at a venue where we can’t even dance! But okay, definitely agree we don’t want to run out! I didn’t think to return what’s left over, but I’ll look into that before I buy! I am sending another little communication to guests about the venue change as well as appropriate show wearing/jacket bringing maybe, too depending on weather! Hope it all goes well for you guys!!
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  • Patti
    Just Said Yes October 2020
    Patti ·
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    Yes we definitely felt the same and now that we're planning it, backyard seems like such a better fit! It'll still feel classy and dressed up like a wedding (especially with servers and bartenders and all that), but I'm so excited for the backyard vibe. I hope you also have an amazing wedding!

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  • Mrs. S
    Dedicated September 2020
    Mrs. S ·
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    Exactly!! There’s also a bit of comfort for the guests too, being outside and not in a venue which is our goal also! It will just as magical, and exactly how we want it!! Thank you!!❤️
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  • Sarah
    Just Said Yes October 2021
    Sarah ·
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    One of my friends purchased her own alcohol for her wedding venue a few years ago. They had 100+ people. They bought all the alcohol from Costco because you are able to return anything unopened. Maybe check to see if they still have that policy. Congrats!! 💕
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  • Mrs. S
    Dedicated September 2020
    Mrs. S ·
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    Thank you!! Second suggestion for Costco but unfortunately we don’t have one where I live! Closest one is in Canada but I can check another wholesale store for similar policies! Thank you!💜
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  • Elizabeth
    Elizabeth ·
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    Do you have a photographer? Definitely remember that! Also, include some string nice lighting maybe, that usually makes backyard weddings feel more classy IMO. Sounds like you got this pretty good! Hope everything goes well!
    Remember to make a timeline and everything. Even backyard weddings need some organization 😂❤️
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  • Elizabeth
    Elizabeth ·
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    Also, don’t forget cake 😉
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  • KiwiDerbyBride
    VIP May 2015
    KiwiDerbyBride ·
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    Is the tent company providing lighting? If not you might need to think about that. In terms of the grass, if you don’t want to go for a full floor, maybe get some of those heel protector thingies which stop your heels sinking into the grass and have them on hand for guests?

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  • Mrs. S
    Dedicated September 2020
    Mrs. S ·
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    Ah yes!! I should h e mentioned that I was able to shift all my vendors/flower deliveries to the house instead of venue! Dj/photo booth/cake/flowers are all booked so I’m good there! I will definitely have to make a timeline! That’s a good idea! Thank you!
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  • Mrs. S
    Dedicated September 2020
    Mrs. S ·
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    That’s a great idea! I think I’ve seen them on a Fb add somewhere, it’s a plastic piece that clicks onto the heel?! I should definitely do that! And lighting I will have to check on. I am not sure if the dj is providing uplifting or if the tent company will. I’ll add it to my list, thank you!!
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  • Margaret
    Master October 2020
    Margaret ·
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    Then I would focus more on liquor maybe do a 30 / 30 / 40 ratio

    Reg / Light Beer, Red / White wine, Vodka, Whiskey, (always want a clear and dark liquor - these are always your best bet)

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  • Mrs. S
    Dedicated September 2020
    Mrs. S ·
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    Thank you so much, this is so helpful! Definitely went to cover all bases for the guests!
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  • Margaret
    Master October 2020
    Margaret ·
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    Glad to help!

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