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A backyard wedding is a wonderful thing, and more and more couples are relying on it amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If you haven’t been able to get married in the past year, now is the time to start planning your backyard wedding. Now, it doesn’t have to look like you and your bros throwing a cookout—Jeremy doesn’t have to black out underneath your deck, although that still might happen if you have a keg in attendance. A backyard wedding can still be posh; it just takes planning to get there. From getting your marriage license to tying the knot in your own backyard, here’s how to plan a backyard wedding to a T.
Why have a backyard wedding?
All right, you might be asking yourself this question. We get it. Isn’t it more work for you? Your yard to clean up? Your house to maintain? You spent all last weekend healing your lawn, and now we’re saying you should let dozens of people stomp all over it?!
Cool it, Dave. Your lawn will heal. But your love matters most—remember that.
What makes backyard weddings exceptional are their flexibility. Your pets can be in attendance; you can be flexible with the dates you want to hold the ceremony and reception; and, wow, does it feel more intimate. But even better, a backyard wedding can save you money. By spending less on your ceremony and reception, paying someone else to rent a space, you can enjoy the love of your friends and family at home.
And what’s that? One more positive? Yes! With a backyard wedding, you won’t feel tempted to bloat your guest list. Less space means less likelihood to invite everyone. Keep it small, keep it intimate, and make the most of it.
What You’ll Need to Get It Done
Permits
Here’s the thing: It’s your property, but the city government might not like a raucous party. You may need a permit to legally throw a large, loud gathering. Check with your municipality to make sure you can do it without getting hit with a fine.
Electricity and Power
Lighting, gas to heat food, music, heating units, so on and so on. It’s likely that you won’t get by only using the outlets inside your house with long extension cables. So what do you do? Rent all the gear you need, from lighting to generators.
Restrooms
All right, bro. You might have the most powerful toilet in all the land, able to flush a football—or so you’ve told your friends. But that won’t do much good if you have 50 guests in your backyard. Let’s get real. Rent a PortaPotty. It might sound trashy, but, hey, people want convenience above all else. If you want something fancier, it’s out there. Just do some searching to see if there’s a fancy portapotty service in your area.
Insurance
If you don’t already have homeowner’s insurance, well … what the hell are you doing, man? It’s essential. If an accident happens on your property, and you don’t have insurance? Whew, good luck! But here’s the thing. Whatever you currently have for insurance, not every type of injury/accident might be covered. Contact your homeowner’s insurance agency prior to ensure you’re covered, from coverage for bartenders to property damage.
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Neighbors
You’re bound to be loud late into the night. Talk to your neighbors ahead of time, especially if they’re the kind of uptight ones that would call the cops over a late-night party. They’ll be more forgiving if they know the date and they know it’s a wedding, not just some get-together you didn’t invite them to.
Parking
Check out rules regarding street parking in your area. Not enough space? Ask your nicest neighbors—if you feel tough enough. Otherwise? Hire a shuttle service and have your guests park at a nearby garage or park. It’s an easy way to keep your neighborhood from becoming congested, which people living around you will surely appreciate.
What You’ll Need to Rent
Unless you live in a colonial mansion with all the accoutrements, you’re going to need to rent a good deal of the materials that are necessary to hosting your guests and keeping them comfortable. Here’s your personal checklist:
- Decor
- Chairs
- Tent(s)
- Generators
- Lighting
- Music Equipment/Interface
- Speakers
- Dining Tables
- Place Settings
- Linens
- Centerpiece Vases
- Table Decor
- Food Serving Tables
- Dessert Table
- Food Prep/Storage Equipment
- Bar
- Cocktail Tables
- Gifts Table
- Guest Book Table
- Dance Floor
- Photo Booth
- Trash and Recycling Bins
- Outdoor Restrooms
- Etc.
It’s in your best interest to rent these items, as you’ll likely use them just this one time. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with them ‘til death do you part.
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Discover Our Manliest Collection of Wedding Rings
Backyard weddings are a wonderfully intimate thing, but no wedding is made perfect unless you’ve got a perfect ring on your finger. Check out our best sellers and find the wedding ring of your dreams.
If you’re an outdoorsman, consider our silicone wedding bands. Your ring will stay intact no matter how much you love digging around in the backyard with your dog or in the garden with your spouse-to-be. Your wedding ring is waiting for you. Why put it off any longer?
