Any newly-engaged couple can relate to the stress of trying to plan a dream wedding without breaking the bank. From securing a venue to finding the right caterer, DJ, and other necessary vendors, the expenses can quickly add up and drain your bank account before the big day even arrives!
Backyard weddings have become more popular than ever in the last few years, especially after the pandemic forced many couples to either cancel or downsize their weddings.
One of the biggest perks of having a backyard wedding is the significant amount of money you’ll end up saving by not having to shell out your life’s savings on a pricey venue. However, a backyard wedding doesn’t just have to be a casual affair; you can still create an elegant and formal atmosphere in your backyard or an offsite venue with a few simple tricks.
Keep reading for our how-to guide for planning your dream backyard wedding and how to save money while still achieving the aesthetic you desire!
Why Plan a Backyard Wedding?
While backyard weddings aren’t for everyone, we have found throughout the years that many couples and guests tend to prefer a backyard wedding over a traditional venue.
Hosting an outdoor wedding in your backyard or at an offsite venue that you have access to can provide several benefits over a traditional wedding venue.
- Cost-Effective: Forgo the expensive cost of paying for a venue and DIY much of your own wedding planning.
- Personal and Intimate: Backyard weddings create a cozy and relaxed atmosphere that can make them more fun.
- Customizable: Plan out your wedding however you like, whether you prefer a traditional aesthetic or something more casual.
- No Guest Limitations: With a large enough space, there is no limit to the amount of people you can invite.
- Convenience: Avoid forcing guests to travel between different venues for the reception, ceremony, and after-party.
- Flexible Timeline: Set your own schedule and plan your wedding for the weekend you want–not just what’s available at a venue.
- Outdoor Appeal: Showcase the natural surroundings of Northeast Pennsylvania wherever you host your outdoor wedding, whether in a field, barn, or backyard.
In our experience, many people have even said that their favorite weddings they’ve attended have been backyard or outdoor weddings.
Tips to Plan a Backyard Wedding and Save Money
If you want to plan the perfect backyard wedding in Northeast Pennsylvania, check out our event planning tips so that you don’t miss a detail!
Choose the Right Time of Year
Living in the Northeast means that couples get to choose their favorite season to plan a wedding, whether that’s spring, summer, or fall. Generally, backyard wedding season runs from the first weekend of May to the weekend before Halloween, just before the temperatures drop. However, with an outdoor tent, tent heaters, and a few additional amenities, you can host a backyard wedding far into November and as early as April.
Just be sure to plan accordingly for the month you book your wedding. For example, you’ll probably have to adjust your attire for the middle of summer to account for the heat, in addition to adding a few outdoor fans or even a tent air conditioner.
Measure the Size of Your Outdoor Space
While hosting your wedding on a farm or an open field gives you the luxury of building out your guest list, a fenced-in backyard will come with some natural limitations.
One thing to keep in mind is square footage. For example, when planning a tent wedding, you’ll need to account for at least 6-8 square feet per person for a standing reception (i.e., cocktail tables) and up to 10 feet per person if they are sitting at tables.
Even the type of table you book will impact your total square footage, especially if you plan to house everyone under a tent.
You’ll also need to make room for things such as restrooms, dance floors, catering tables, and more.
Finally, the one thing a lot of people fail to account for is the amount of extra room required to stake a tent. Generally, a wedding pole tent requires an additional 5 feet around the perimeter to properly stake to withstand winds and erect properly.
Rent a Wedding Tent
Give your guests some much-needed shade and protection from the elements with an outdoor wedding tent. Not only does a wedding tent give you peace of mind, but it can also be decorated with lights, flowers, and other decor to create an elegant and custom aesthetic.
Wedding tents come in several shapes and sizes, with the two most common being frame and pole tents.
- Frame tents are more expensive and can be installed on any surface, including asphalt and concrete. Frame tents don’t have poles going through the center and have a more customized appearance, allowing for features, such as gabled ends that add an elegant touch.
- Pole tents are typically less expensive and need to be installed on grass or a surface that can be staked. These tents typically feature high peaks and have poles going through the center, which need to be accounted for when planning your wedding.
Some things to keep in mind when booking a wedding tent, include:
- Backyard Surface: As previously mentioned, pole tents can only be installed on grass, while frame tents can be installed virtually anywhere. However, you will need a flat surface for either tent to keep them square and even.
- Tent Top: Depending on the tent type you select, you will be able to choose from a number of different fabrics and colors for your tent top. Both tents feature traditional white vinyl fabrics and clear tops. However, pole tents do have the option of an elegant sailcloth top.
- Tent Shape (Frame): Frame tents come in several different styles, including high-peak frame tents (high peak in the center), west coast frame tents (rectangular shape like a roof), and even keder frame tents with hip or gabled roofs.
- Sidewalls: Most tents from rental companies do not automatically come with sidewalls and they need to be booked separately. Most businesses offer plain blockout sidewalls, cathedral window sidewalls, or clear sidewalls.
- Rental Company: Not all tent companies are created equal! For something as important as your wedding, it’s good to go with a company that you can trust that has positive reviews and is transparent. Tents are expensive products that require labor and transportation, so keep in mind that depending on the company you pick the fees can stack up.
Save Money on Photography
Hiring a wedding photographer can be one of the most expensive purchases when planning a wedding. After all, you’ll be looking at these photos for years to come, and you want to make sure your special day is captured beautifully. To cut costs, ask around and see if you have any friends or family members who would be willing to take photos during the ceremony and reception for a small fee.
If you’d rather hire someone with a little more experience, look into wedding photographers who are just getting their start and aren’t charging as much as some of the more in-demand photographers in your area.
A fun trend many couples are incorporating into their weddings is setting out a few disposable cameras and encouraging guests to snap candid photos throughout the night!
Get Creative with Decor
Planning a backyard wedding on a budget sometimes means getting creative with things like decor and tablescapes.
When it comes to styling your wedding, it is typically wise to rent rather than buy decor you’ll only use once. Items such as glassware, centerpieces, and candle holders aren’t good investments unless you plan on using them several more times, which is why renting these items will give you more bang for your buck and help you achieve the aesthetic you’re going for.
Make Your Own Playlist
While hiring a professional DJ may seem like something you have to invest in, many couples are choosing to create their own playlists to stay within their budget. Making your own playlist allows you to have total creative freedom without worrying about songs you hate being played throughout the night. Another perk of creating your playlist is that you’ll have control over the volume of the music, so you won’t have to worry about receiving noise complaints from your neighbors!
Many rental companies offer A/V systems with enough volume to cover a large open space so that you don’t have to rely on a professional DJ.
Opt for Affordable Catering
Catering is often one of the biggest expenses when planning a wedding, but it doesn’t have to be. Instead of choosing the most in-demand and pricey caterer in town, think outside the box and reach out to restaurants you wouldn’t normally think of. Local barbecue places and smaller family-owned restaurants often offer more affordable packages than a bigger, fancier catering company. Pro tip: offering to pick up the food yourself instead of having it delivered will usually save you some money.
Planning your backyard wedding doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Reach out to us and let us help you plan the wedding of your dreams!