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Backyard Weddings Tips & Tricks for Wedding Planners
Many engaged couples love the idea of planning a wedding in their own backyard. Having a wedding in a backyard can be a great idea—think of it as a blank canvas—there is so much you can do here.
Even though there are many details and logistics to consider, don’t be frightened when a couple approaches you with this idea.
Every house has that awkward area that may be hard to coordinate with the look of the wedding. This could be the area where they place their garbage bins, or an area that lost its color and appeal.
A great way to cover this up is by using wedding décor (if it’s possible to go along with the color scheme here, always go with that). These decor items could be wedding candles, larger plants, potted trees, decorative wooden gates or flowers (think hydrangeas, hibiscus, peonies, etc.). The possibilities are endless here; don’t be afraid to get creative. You many want to brainstorm ideas with your clients and the decor company as well.
If the couple has chosen a color scheme, hire a landscape company to spruce up their backyard with flowers and plants that match their wedding colors. If possible, have these flowers planted the week of the wedding to avoid any potential weather mishaps that would destroy the plants.
Don’t forget the front of the house either; if they grant you permission, have flowers planted along the walkways of the house, leading to the backyard.
Nothing is worse than yellow grass or no grass at all! Make sure the grass is being cared for months before the wedding is even supposed to take place. Ask your clients to invest in weed killer, and grass food. Don’t water the grass during the day—this will turn it yellow! A weed killer is a must if an outdoor wedding is going to take place; there is nothing worse than a bunch of weeds stealing the scene!
Because the wedding is in the backyard, it’s very likely that the reception will also take place here. A great idea to apply to this backyard wedding is renting a dance floor. Not only does this apply to dancing—but it’s also applicable to all those guests wearing nice shoes and high heels! This will make it easier for everyone. A dance floor can bring an elegant look and that “final touch” to the overall atmosphere to the wedding.
Another issue that may arise is the bathroom situation. There may be more guests than the household bathroom can handle; so it is always a good idea to rent portable restrooms for the wedding.
Now, don’t run away from this idea. You don’t have to rent those port-a-potties that we see on construction sites (ew!). There are actual luxury portable restroom trailers available to rent. These can be extremely clean, affordable, and classy. Now you don’t have to worry about a long line in the house or possibly dealing with plumbing issues during the wedding.
What a lot of wedding planners forget about outdoor weddings, is the parking situation. Usually a backyard means that it’s located in a suburb, meaning very limited parking. So, where can all these guests park?
One idea is to ask the neighbors if parking could be available around the house; but you can’t rely on the neighbor’s generosity here. Think about the nearby schools or churches, and have the guests park there (with permission from the school or church) then have your clients provide guest shuttles to pick up the wedding guests from the designated parking area and bring them to the house. The couple could hire a valet parking service to park cars or to direct traffic if there is parking near the home.
Letting the neighbors know that a wedding will be taking place isn’t only a generous thing to do for them, but it will save your sanity when the wedding day finally arrives.
Make sure the neighbors know the date and the time of the wedding, so you won’t have neighbors planning a party the same day (more limited parking), or a neighbor spontaneously mowing the lawn during the vows.
These are only a couple of quick ideas and tips to follow when creating a backyard wedding for your couple. These can be exciting to plan, so be willing to share some new ideas that the bride may not have thought of before!
This is a guest post written by Lacey Blackwood, a firm believer in the little moments in life and creating that final touch. Lacey writes for Just Jen, a company that specializes in customized accessories.
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Great post Debbie!