How to Plan a Small Backyard Wedding
The last year has been tough for weddings. A lot of couples are tired of waiting to get married. Especially if you’ve already postponed or cancelled your original plans.
Or maybe you’re just starting to plan now - but all the venues are booked!
Even if you can get a venue, there’s a lot of great reasons to have a backyard wedding anyway.
If you want a small wedding for personal reasons, now is the perfect time to do it. You’ve got a built in reason to say “I wish we could invite everyone but we just can’t”.
Please note: this article contains affiliate links. That means that I may earn a commission if you decide to buy something.
Or maybe you really are worried about the health of some of your guests. If you want your grandparents to come, it’s a lot easier to arrange social distance at home. If you’re on your own property, you can set everything up exactly the way you want.
Having your wedding at home also gives you a lot of freedom. You don’t need to worry about a venue’s timetable. You’re not restricted to hiring certain vendors. You can DIY anything and everything, from your decorations to your food. If you plan to DIY, you can even skip some of the traditional vendors and save a ton of money.
Social Distancing at Your Backyard Wedding
If your neighborhood is still under restrictions, make sure to check and follow all your local regulations. If you or your guests have compromised immunity, you might want to practice social distance even if it’s not legally required. If you’re only having a few guests, consider asking them to quarantine ahead of time, if you want to be extra safe.
If you want to social distance, you’ll need to plan your layout ahead of time. Confirm the best social distancing rules for your guests, then get out your tape measure! Decide who will sit together and how far from each other they’ll be, then start working out your floor plan.
Some ideas to think about:
Place chairs for the ceremony and label them for each guest
Put each household together, but 6 feet away from each other household
Reserve a reception table for each household and label all the seats
How Many People Can You Invite to Your Backyard Wedding?
If your neighborhood is still under restrictions, your guest count will have to stick to that number. If you’re able to have more, you can figure out your maximum number by the size of your yard.
Typically a banquet hall using 6 foot tables will fit 100 guests into 1,200 square feet. That means that if your back yard is 40’ x 30’ you can fit a maximum of 100 people. But remember, you’ll also need space for your ceremony and a dance floor, if you’re having one. If you’re social distancing, you’ll also need a lot more space for each guest.
The best way to figure it out is by getting a piece of paper and sketching out a floor plan. Start by measuring the size of your yard and draw it onto your paper. Then add anything that can’t be moved - like your garden or shed. Once you can see how much space you have, start fitting in all the elements you want for your wedding. Draw in your ceremony space, with the chairs and the aisle. Then figure out your reception space and draw in your dance floor, head table and dining tables. If you’re social distancing, make sure you’ve got enough space between tables and chairs.
Think About Your Weather Plan
Wooden arch decorated with flowers and ribbons for an outdoor wedding.
When we think about wedding day weather, the first thing we worry about is rain. But there’s actually lots of weather that could derail your plans. You could get a heat wave or a cold front. No matter what time of year your wedding will be, it’s always hard to predict the weather.
If you think about it ahead of time, at least you won’t be caught off guard.
First of all, decide if you’ll rent a tent. Rentals can get expensive, so if your wedding is really small you might choose an alternative. Can all the guests fit into your house if the weather doesn’t cooperate? Do you have a barn or a garage that could be used in case of rain? Is there a park, with a gazebo or shelter nearby?
Once you’ve decided on your tent or shelter, figure out if you’ll need anything else if the weather goes wrong. Could you need portable fans, air conditioners or portable heaters? (Don’t forget extension cords!) Will you be able to rent or borrow them in time for your wedding?
Backyard Wedding Rentals Checklist
If you want matching tables and chairs, it’s best to get them from a rental company. If you want your wedding to have all the trimmings, like a dance floor and a head table, you can rent everything from one place.
Before you choose a rental company, check if they have minimums. Some companies won’t rent unless you order a certain amount. This year has had some special circumstances, so a lot of companies are willing to waive minimums. Some might rent smaller orders, but charge a delivery fee. Call your local rental companies and ask if they offer small packages. Remember to ask about any extra delivery or set up fees.
Rentals For Your Backyard Wedding Ceremony
Chairs for your guests
Arch or canopy
Red carpet or aisle decor
Microphone and speaker
Signing table
Rentals For Your Backyard Wedding Reception
Tent or canopy
Dining tables and chairs
Head table and chairs
Food tables
Gift table
Cake table
Table linens
Dinnerware: glasses, china and cutlery
Serving dishes
Chafing dishes
DJ or music table
Dance floor
Portable bar
Lighting
Electric fans
Portable heaters
Extension cords
Trash cans
DIY Backyard Wedding Ideas
Bride and groom posing under a tree decorated with pom poms and streamers.
If you’re planning a lot of DIY, a backyard wedding is the perfect place to pull it off. You don’t need to worry about a venue’s timelines, rental fees or clean up fees. You can set your own schedule. And you can start decorating whenever you’re ready.
Another bonus: you can DIY some things that you’ll enjoy long after your wedding day is over. You can build a gazebo or an arch that’ll be a feature in your yard forever. You can plan a garden and plant flowers that’ll bloom year after year. Some couples even do bigger improvements, like building a deck or paving a patio area. These are all great to do for your wedding. And they’ll add value to your home for years after.
DIY Project Ideas
Build a gazebo or arch in your garden
Put a fresh coat of paint on your doors and mailbox
Rent a power cleaner and refresh your deck
Clean or paint your shed
Build a lattice enclosure to hide your garbage cans and recycling bins
Landscape or garden some areas in your yard
Place potted flowers and plants in any bare areas
Hang string lights or patio lanterns
Hide an ugly view with a fence, lattice or plants
Backyard Wedding Reception Ideas
When you don’t have a traditional wedding venue, you’ll have to do the work of the coordinator or event planner yourself. You can definitely do it, but it’s best to keep it simple. Think about who you’ll have to help you. Make sure you talk to them ahead of time. Try to get a firm commitment from your helpers before you finalize your plans.
If you don’t have a lot of people to help, choose the easiest reception to pull off. If you have some willing helpers, you’ll be able to plan something a bit more complicated.
Plan a cake and punch reception
Serve brunch or lunch
Plan a buffet or food stations
Offer cocktails and appetizers
Plan a casual meal - like barbecue, pig roast or pizza party
Plan a traditional wedding dinner and dance
DIY Your Wedding Food
When your wedding is small, you can even DIY your wedding food. If you love to cook, you could plan your wedding as if you were hosting a dinner party with 10 guests. If you don’t have the cooking skills or the space, you can always order prepared food from a local restaurant, deli or even your grocery store.
If you need to do social distancing, you can offer takeaway meals or boxed meals to be set out at each guests’ seat. If you don’t need to worry about distancing, you can set up a buffet, food stations or a food bar.
For more ideas about DIY wedding food, read this next: Self Cater Your Wedding: How to DIY Your Wedding Food
How Much Does a Backyard Wedding Cost?
For a traditional style wedding, with a lot of guests, a backyard wedding can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000.
If you’re planning to have 75 guests or more, read this next: How Much Does a Backyard Wedding Cost?
If you’re planning a smaller backyard wedding, your budget can be a lot smaller.
If you’re trying to limit the number of people at your wedding, you’ll need to avoid hiring vendors as much as possible. In some states, you can be married by a friend or family member. They can get ordained online and perform the ceremony for you. Check your local laws to see if it’s allowed in your state and skip hiring an officiant.
If your wedding’s small enough, you can also skip the caterer. You can order prepackaged meals and have them delivered. You can order picnic boxes, charcuterie boxes or sushi boxes that you can keep in the fridge until it’s time for the reception. Or you can order hot meals to be delivered when it’s time to eat.
One of the best things about a backyard wedding is that you aren’t locked in to any venue rules or required vendors. You’re free to choose whatever is the best fit for you and your budget. The bonus - you can save a lot of money!
Sample Budget For 10 Guests at a Simple Wedding
Birch arch decorated with pink, white and burgundy flowers for an outdoor wedding.
The easiest - and least expensive - wedding to plan is a ceremony followed by a cake and punch reception. If you want to get married without a lot of fuss, this is a great way to do it. Invite only the people closest to you and you can have a meaningful celebration that’s short and sweet.
Wedding Ceremony:
License & Officiant $300
Wedding Rings $300-$1,200
Subtotal = $600-$1,500
Rentals:
Ceremony chairs (10 chairs x $7) $70
Cocktail tables (5 tables x $25) $125
Cake Table $30
Tablecloths & napkins $80
Rental company delivery fees $150
Subtotal = $455
Food & Drinks:
Sparkling wine for toasting ($26 x 3 bottles) $78
Non alcoholic punch $25
Wedding Cake $150-$400
Disposable dishes & cups $45
Subtotal = $298-$548
Everything Else:
Decorations $50-$300
Invitations $75
Wedding Clothes $250-$500
Bouquet & Boutonnière $75
Subtotal = $450-$950
Grand Total = $1,803 - $3,453
Sample Budget for 10 Guests at a Full Wedding
If you want a full wedding experience, you can plan a meal, with music and dancing afterwards. With only 10 guests, it’ll be a lot less expensive than a traditional wedding. Plus, you’ll save tons of money by having your wedding at home. If you order your own food and drinks, you can have a fantastic wedding for less than $5,000.
Wedding Ceremony:
License & Officiant $300
Wedding Rings $300-$1,200
Subtotal = $600-$1,500
Rentals:
Ceremony chairs (15 chairs x $7) $105
Dining tables (6 tables x $25) $150
Dining chairs (15 chairs x $7) $105
Food table $30
Tablecloths & napkins $80
Music table $25
Dance floor $300
Speakers $150
Lighting $200
Subtotal = $1,145
Food & Drinks:
Pre-ordered meals (15 meals x $50) $750
Bottles of wine (1 white and 1 red per table - $16 x 12 bottles) $192
Beer $75
Wedding Cake $175-$400
Subtotal = $1,192-$1,417
Everything Else:
Centerpieces $75
Favors $50
Invitations $80
Wedding Clothes $250-$2,000
Bouquet & Boutonnière $275
Subtotal = $730 - $2,480
Grand Total = $3,667 - $6,542
One thing to notice is that the budgets don’t include a DJ or a photographer. If you’re trying to limit the number of people at your wedding, you can make a playlist instead of hiring a DJ. Photos are really important to a lot of people and you might not want to miss out on them. You’ll need to consider your own circumstances and decide if you’ll hire a photographer or not. If you decide to hire one, a low price to start at is $1,800 and up for wedding photography, so add that amount into your budget.
Backyard Wedding Dresses
If you’re planning a casual type of reception, you can choose a low key dress to match. There’s lots of pretty options online. And these wedding dresses will be easy on your budget.
But if you’ve always wanted a big wedding dress, go ahead and get one. You only have one wedding, so call your favorite salon and order yourself a traditional wedding dress. You might be worried about looking weird all dressed up in your backyard. But honestly - this has been a weird year. People will understand. If you want the dress, go for it!
If you want a low key, simple dress, try this tea length, vintage style wedding gown. Sheer overlay top with a full tulle skirt:
If you want a more traditional wedding gown, you could wear this v neck lace dress, with a low back and a sweep train:
Backyard Wedding Invitations
If you’re keeping it small and simple, you can invite people any way you like. Phone call, email, even Facebook if that’s your thing. If you want to send traditional, printed invitations, Basic Invite has some gorgeous, outdoor themed invitations that are available in small quantities.
Rustic Heartchery Wedding Invitations. Also available: Direction Cards, Response Cards, Programs, Menus and more.
Blossoming Love Wedding Invitations. Also available: Direction Cards, Response Cards, Programs, Menus and more.
If you want a less expensive option, Amazon has lots of pretty invitation sets that you can write your own information on.
Backyard Wedding Favors
When you’re choosing your wedding favors, you can play on your outdoor theme and send your guests home with cute packets of seeds for them to plant in their gardens.
If you’d rather stick to tradition, go with a candy favor. Buy a pack of these stickers and a bag of chocolate kisses. You’ll have favors for days!
Plan the Wedding You Want
If you’re planning to get married this year, a backyard wedding is a great choice. You can order everything you need online or over the phone. You can set it up when you’re ready. You can make, or order, your favorite food. You can invite as many, or as few, guests as you’d like.
And best of all - you have the freedom to plan your wedding your way. Make is simple or elaborate, modern or traditional. When your wedding is at your home, it’ll be exactly the way you want it.
For more ideas on everything from your floor plan to your rentals, check out the Backyard Wedding Planner. Available now on Amazon:
