Backyard weddings are nothing new. Over the last decade, they’ve become more popular as people have gone with “country-chic” or rustic themes for their weddings. But, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more couples have had to downgrade their initial wedding plans for something smaller and more intimate.
If you started out wanting a country club wedding with several hundred people and now you’ve settled for a small gathering in your backyard, it’s going to take a bit of extra planning.
With that being said, there’s nothing wrong with “micro-weddings.” In many ways, they’re easier to plan. When done the right way, they are less stressful, cheaper, safer, and can even be more fun since you’ll have your closest family members and friends there. Backyard weddings also provide an opportunity to let your personality shine – as individuals and as a couple.
As a bonus – it’s easy to make a backyard wedding eco-friendly!
So, what can you do to plan and host the perfect small ceremony and reception? How can you go from country club to country-chic while still creating your dream day?
Get More From the Outdoors
One of the great things about a backyard wedding is the fun you can have with it – even when you’re on a budget.
People will expect things to be a bit more casual and rustic, so use that to your advantage. It’s a great opportunity to recycle or upcycle furniture, decor, and more – but, we’ll get into that later.
You can also take advantage of being in the backyard by letting the things that are already there go to work for you. Who needs a stuffy altar when you can get married in front of that giant oak tree your great-grandfather planted? Why look stiff and uncomfortable in posed pictures when you can have fun and get some incredible candid shots on the swingset from your childhood?
Even using nature as your decor will keep costs down and make things more easygoing. If your wedding is in the fall, for example, you can use beautiful, colorful hues to create a natural bouquet and decorations. Additional ideas that will add a lot of charm to your outdoor event include:
- Creating a floral chandelier
- Using string/globe lights
- Getting your pets involved
- Mixing and matching chairs and tables
- Using a local caterer to create a “family style” meal
The bottom line? Don’t be afraid to have fun. The more relaxed and laid back your wedding is, the more comfortable your guests will be. Your ceremony and reception will be something everyone remembers for years to come.
Keep Things Eco-Friendly
We touched on it already, but one of the perks of having an outdoor wedding is that it’s easier to “go green” with your efforts. That’s just another reason to celebrate!
While hosting your big day outside is already a greener practice than renting out a big venue, there are more things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint on the day. It’s something you’ll feel good about, and it could inspire your guests to be more sustainable, too.
The easiest way to be more eco-friendly on your wedding day is to reuse and recycle as much as possible. Do you have old tables and chairs sitting around in your garage? Clean them up and use them. Is there a dusty old window pane in the attic? Wipe away the dirt and use it as a table directory or menu board. Reusing old items is a great way to let your creativity shine while doing something good for the planet. Other easy eco-friendly ideas include
- Using recyclable dishes/silverware
- Utilizing bamboo drinking straws
- Reducing food waste
- Hiring a quarter or acoustic musician to cut back on energy use
You can even make your floral arrangements more environmentally friendly. Freshly-cut plants aren’t ideal for the environment, and most bouquets get “tossed” (literally) and thrown away. Consider keeping yours intact and make it last longer by drying and preserving your flowers. You can also press decorative flowers to use them in your marital home. Not only is it a great way to do something good for the planet, but it’s a project you and your new spouse can do together to commemorate the most important day of your lives.
Get Everyone Involved
Whether you’re hosting a backyard wedding because of the pandemic or that was your plan from the start, you’re probably not going to be able to invite hundreds of guests. While that’ll save you money (and keep things more sustainable), it can be difficult not having everyone you love join you on your big day.
However, thanks to technology, everyone can still “be there” to celebrate with you. Live-streamed weddings have become increasingly popular throughout the pandemic. It’s a great way to include guests who can’t make it or to keep your wedding small and intimate without leaving anyone out.
Nowadays, live streaming is easier than you might think. Choose a streaming platform, delegate responsibilities (preferably to your tech-savvy nephew or someone who knows what they’re doing), and let your guests know what time the ceremony will start. You can even host through platforms like Zoom, so your virtual guests can be seen and heard during the reception.
Even if a backyard wedding wasn’t your original plan, it could end up being better than you ever imagined. Use these ideas to have fun, do something good for the planet, save some money, and create the most memorable day of your life without all of the added stress of a big-budget wedding.
Image Source: Unsplash.
