Out with the venue in with the backyard

I was going to do mine out on the back lawn because we have a pond and the trees are so pretty. Soooo, I bought a wedding arch at Michael's for around $20 as I had a 50% off coupon, bought tulle on eBay (a whole bolt for about $20) and then some grapevine (Michaels) and silk orchids since that's my wedding flower. Then, I made kissing balls from silk hydrangeas and more orchids which would hang on shepherd's hooks to line the aisle I would walk down.

Rented a tent and chairs for the reception so would just move the chairs down to either side of the aisle. Here was my inspiration although of course mine is nowhere near that fancy but you get the idea!

We are getting married in my parents backyard, and although it hasn't happened yet, we have had tons of events there (memorial service, going away parties, graduation parties, b-day parties, coming home parties, anniversary parties, the list goes on). The tips I'd give you are to always have a plan b (if you had to move it indoors due to weather, could you?). Use your surroundings to play off the theme/ambiance you are trying to create (we are playing off the beautiful garden). Use tents, your guests will appreciate it. Evaluate any obstacles in advance so you can know how to prepare for/prevent them (electricity, access to bathrooms, mud, hills/slopes, setup- will chairs need to be moved from ceremony space to reception space? And if so, where will your guests be?) Create a distinct cohesion btwn the spaces (ceremony, cocktail, reception). Have the grass cut and yard sprayed for bugs about two days out. Secure parking (w/ neighbors, etc). Inform neighbors of your event as a courtesy..

Hey, just realized we are date twins!!! No wonder we think alike LOL!

Oh, and here is a pic of one of the kissing balls I made. If you think you might go that route and need help making them just let me know.

I love the archway as photo'd above. I am against a runner b/c they tend to be slippey on grass.

There's a home improvement blog I love, and they had a gorgeous DIY wedding in their back yard.

http://www.younghouselove.com/wedding-album/

Runner idea

LOVE LOVE LOVED that young house back yard wedding! If only i had back yard... Oh well, we have already booked our venue anyway. I think back yard weddings are very charming. Good luck in your planning!

@ Linda thank you for those pics they look amazing! I also have a 50% off coupon from Michaels and I didn't even think of getting an arch from there. I'm def gonna look into that. Do u have to assemble it?

@Candi I love that runner idea and it would really fit the backyard idea.

Thanks for the tips ladies. I plan to use a lot of tulle for draping, twinkle lights, kissing balls and lanterns.

Hi there! I am having an outdoor reception at my in-laws because we couldn't handle the thought of cutting so many people (guest list is (250+) and we def. wanted to be able to do an open bar.

My first tip is to sign up for coupons! I get emails and mailed coupons for hobby lobby, joann fabrics and michaels weekyl. I will be making fabric flowers to tie on the poles of our tent to give it a nicer feel.

We rented porta-potties and one idea i woudln't budge on was that I needed flushable ones with working sinks for the ladies. I mean what girl wants to be in a dress at a porta potty?!?

I found clearance christmas lights so i won't have to rent as many to deocrate the tent from the rental company. Also I gave up on the idea of wooden chairs and chair sashes. I love the way they look but 10 years from now is anyone really going to be saying "Katy had great bows on her chairs at her wedding"

Etsy, Pinterest & weddingBee have been great places to find DIY ideas.

Good Luck!

@Linda R., I have those same hooks, I ordered them from Save on Crafts, just need to figure out how I'm going to decorate my aisle. I bought a ton of tulle on line and my arch from hobby lobby at half price too. @Krystle, check out www.saveoncrafts they have a lot of wedding stuff

First let me say I think its hysterical that we date triplets are/were going to have a backyard wedding.

I am also having mine in the backyard and FH and I just sat down and figured out what would represent us as a couple. We are doing a BBQ reception and we are renting a tent for the guests to sit under during the ceremony so they can stay out of the sun and also it will cover the "dance floor" area so I can hang lights from it. We are doing globe lights in the trees and I am probably going to hang some paper lanterns as well.

I have one question. Because we are thinking of going ahead and purchasing a house, but if we do we will have to have a backyard wedding, cause there's no way we can afford all of this stuff. But the house is an excellent price and I don't wanna pass it up.

On to my question: What are you all doing about parking? And how many people are you inviting?

Thankfully I love right next to an office building and we have been given permission to use their lot since on Saturday they are closed. We will probably have about 50-60 people

Im a backyard wedding girl too! I have alot of visions in my head that im hopingn i can make happen! As far as parking....good question... Lol idk yet... But, these ideas are great. I think im going with the floral runner as well

As crazy as it sounds, talk to your neighbors. In the past, neighbors have offered up their parking (street and driveway) for my parents' events. Or consider valet. There is a lot a few blocks from my their home that we may have to get permission for parking and have a hired valet service.

Inviting 42.

I'm pretty sure I'm going with paper lanterns too- I really like the look.

Our wedding was not in a back yard, but it was at a state park, so all of the decorating was up to us. All of the ceremony decorations were included with our officiant package. Posting some pics for inspiration!

(Excuse the blue & white umbrella...LOL - DH's grandmother did not want to be in the sun).

Also, I would not reccomend a runner. it stuck to the grass, was slightly slippery, and it was very windy, so we had to weigh it down with sand bags.

Backyard weddings can be beautiful and they allow you to be creative, as well as accomplishing many items DIY. Google image backyard receptions. Check out pinterest.com as well and type in backyard weddings/receptions. When you search online for items make sure you look for discount this or that instead of using the wedding word in the search. That word tends to make things more expensive.

Thank you ladies for all the great tips! It looks like we've all got great ideas to transform our backyards into great ceremony spaces. I think i'll end up buying my arch at hobby lobby and using the 50% off coupons from Michael's when they come out.

@katy we think alike! I'll also be looking out for discount xmas lights, globe lights and paper lanterns to hang in our tent over the dance floor lol. I plan to use ALOT of tulle to hide any unsightly spots.

We are doing that too!! FH, FFIL, and my dad are gonna bulid the archway. actually here on ww, go to photos, then ceremonies, then outdoor and then archways, they have a couple cute ideas. i got inspiration from one of them.

Oooh really Angie? Thanks i'll check it out. I also found this picture while doing a google search of back yard weddings. It looks so pretty I can't wait till all these ideas I have finally come together!