When it comes to planning a wedding, one option that’s gained immense popularity in recent times is having a small backyard wedding. This type of celebration offers an intimate setting, allowing couples to bring their closest friends and family together without breaking the bank. With creative planning, you can create a whimsical and romantic atmosphere that rivals any traditional venue.
One of the biggest advantages of a backyard wedding is its flexibility – it can be tailored to fit your personal style and preferences, whether you’re envisioning a springtime garden party or a cozy autumn evening gathering. The best part? You don’t have to compromise on the quality of your special day just because you’re hosting it in your own yard.
With a little bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can turn your backyard into a magical wedding wonderland that will be remembered for years to come.
Small backyard wedding ideas
What is a micro wedding?
While traditional weddings often require planning for hundreds of guests, micro weddings offer an intimate and cost-effective alternative. These smaller celebrations typically draw a guest list of 50 or fewer individuals, allowing couples to maintain the same level of excitement and romance as their larger counterparts. Without the need to cater to a massive crowd, micro weddings also provide significant budget benefits.
Couples won’t have to worry about providing lavish spreads or countless personalized favors for each attendee, freeing up resources for more meaningful aspects of the celebration.
Things to consider before planning your backyard wedding
Before diving into planning your backyard wedding, it’s crucial to consider a few key factors to ensure a seamless and stress-free experience. A well-planned approach will allow you to focus on the finer details and make informed decisions that align with your vision.
To get started, take some time to: set a realistic budget, define your guest list, decide on a ceremony location, prioritize three essential elements, explore alternative food and beverage options, opt for DIY wedding favors, choose in-season flowers, and incorporate vintage or second-hand decor items. By tackling these important considerations upfront, you’ll be able to put the pieces together more efficiently, leaving you with ample time to relax and enjoy the process.
Platters and snack tables
When it comes to planning an impressive snack table or catering to your guests’ needs throughout the day until dinner, having a variety of delicious platters is key. You can enlist the help of your family members or assign specific platters to each bridesmaid, making the task more enjoyable and manageable. To keep things interesting, you can create platters with sweet treats, tangy options, savory meats, crunchy veggies, cookies, or even filled with fresh fruits.
Vegetarian platter
To foster a sense of community, it’s crucial to ensure that all individuals feel welcome and included in the gathering. This can be achieved by creating an array of platters that cater to diverse tastes and dietary requirements. One effective way to do this is by offering a veggie board as a healthy and inclusive option for your guests.
Charcuterie boards
When it comes to entertaining guests, charcuterie boards have become a staple at many social gatherings. Their versatility is part of their appeal, allowing hosts to cater to diverse tastes by combining an assortment of cheeses, meats, fruits like grapes, and crunchy accompaniments such as graham crackers. With so many options available, these boards offer something for everyone, making them an excellent choice for parties and other social events.
Fruit platter
There’s nothing quite like the revitalizing experience of indulging in a carefully crafted fruit platter during the warmest seasons of the year – be it the scorching summer sun or the gentle spring breeze. This simple yet delightful offering can be effortlessly prepared by combining an assortment of fresh fruits with a splash of juice, allowing for effortless snacking and socializing.
Sweet and salty
Complementing the natural sweetness of fruits are an assortment of savory elements, including crackers, pretzels, and chocolate pieces. This harmonious blend of sweet and salty flavors creates a delightful platter experience that’s hard to resist. What’s more, these sweet and salty platters are designed to be light and refreshing, allowing you to enjoy the perfect balance without feeling overly full, leaving room for dinner or dessert as needed.
Cookie platter
When it comes to satisfying the sweet tooth of your wedding guests, cookies are an undeniable crowd-pleaser. To take things to the next level, consider pairing this delectable spread with a cozy coffee nook that invites everyone to gather and indulge. This thoughtful combination is particularly well-suited for winter weddings, where a warm and comforting treat can be just what’s needed to thaw out chilly attendees.
Chocolate fondue board
Incorporating a chocolate fountain into your wedding celebration is an absolute must-have experience for guests and loved ones alike. The sweet combination of marshmallows, strawberries, or even savory pretzels paired with rich white chocolate, decadent dark chocolate, or classic milk chocolate creates an unforgettable sensory delight.
For an added touch of whimsy, consider setting up a visually appealing display board featuring the assorted treats, making it the perfect conversation starter and snack station for your wedding table.
Decorating for a backyard wedding
While grand, elaborate decorations are often associated with magical weddings, the truth is that you don’t have to break the bank to achieve this enchanting atmosphere. One way to do so is by incorporating vintage and second-hand items into your decor. These unique finds can add a touch of whimsy and romance to your celebration, all without putting a strain on your budget.
Lemonade stand
When it comes to keeping your wedding guests refreshed and satisfied, a lemonade stand is an excellent idea. This simple yet effective approach allows you to offer a variety of juices, such as lemonade, iced tea, or even flavored options like strawberry or mango. To make the experience even more enjoyable, consider adding cups with fun designs or personalized straws to give your guests a unique and memorable treat.
Fabric arch with fairy lights
The trend of fabric arches has gained immense popularity in recent times. One of the most attractive aspects of this trend is its simplicity and versatility. With just a few basic materials, including a piece of fabric and some sturdy support, you can create a stunning arch that adds a touch of elegance to any setting. Whether you’re planning an outdoor ceremony under the stars or looking to add a pop of color to your event space, fabric arches offer endless possibilities for customization.
Simply drape your chosen fabric over a suitable structure, such as a tree branch or a metal frame, and let the creativity flow. For added ambiance, consider incorporating fairy lights into your design, allowing you to create a truly magical atmosphere that will leave your guests in awe.
Eucalyptus and fairy lights in mason jars
Eucalyptus leaves bring a unique charm to centerpieces, offering a burst of color when paired with fairy lights. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these fragrant foliage additions have the added benefit of releasing a captivating aroma into the air. This versatile plant is suitable for every season, allowing you to incorporate its fresh scent and vibrant hues into your decor throughout the year.
Boho rugs for the aisle
For the unconventional couple, bohemian-inspired wedding decor offers a unique opportunity to make a statement with their aisle runner. Boho rugs are a stunning way to create an unforgettable pathway for your bride to stroll down on her big day. This unconventional yet captivating choice is particularly well-suited for boho-chic weddings and vintage-themed celebrations, allowing you to add a touch of personality and whimsy to the ceremony space.
Bookwall photo booth
Transforming a space into a whimsical wonderland, why not start by crafting a unique photo booth wall? Begin by gathering an assortment of books and binding them together with glue to create a visually striking backdrop. This uncommon idea is sure to impress your guests and add a touch of magic to the atmosphere. Take it up a notch by incorporating fresh flowers and twinkling fairy lights, and you’ll be transported to a fairytale world where memories are waiting to be made.
Donut table
When looking to deviate from the ordinary snack experience, consider opting for a unique and adorable donut table filled with an assortment of mouthwatering flavors. This charming alternative to traditional snacks is sure to delight anyone with a sweet tooth.
Games and activities
When planning a backyard wedding, incorporating fun games into your celebration is essential. Whether you’re hosting a couples’ activity or solo game, these interactive elements help break the ice and encourage mingling among guests. To get you started, here are some engaging game ideas to consider including in your special day’s festivities.
Engraved Jenga
Infuse your special day with the thrill of Jenga! This beloved game is an excellent addition to any wedding celebration, encouraging guests to interact and engage in a fun, competitive atmosphere. To make it even more meaningful, consider customizing a Jenga block with the newlyweds’ shared surname, creating a unique and memorable keepsake for years to come.
Ring toss
What sets this game apart is its versatility and ease of customization, allowing you to tailor it to fit your unique needs and preferences. One of the most appealing aspects is that you can create everything from scratch at home with minimal investment in supplies. For instance, you can craft the rings by wrapping twine around a circular base, securing them with glue or tying them to metal circles for added durability.
Meanwhile, the bottles can be transformed into an integral part of the game by painting old wine bottles and placing them strategically on the ground for players to interact with. To further enhance the experience, you could also set up small prizes for guests to strive for, adding an extra layer of excitement and engagement.
Giant tic tac toe
When it comes to hosting a dinner party, it’s all about creating a welcoming atmosphere that keeps your guests entertained and relaxed. One simple yet effective way to achieve this is by incorporating a fun and low-key game like tic tac toe into the mix. This classic game is easy to learn and play, allowing you and your guests to unwind and enjoy some friendly competition while waiting for dinner or just passing the time. And the best part?
You can easily source high-quality tic tac toe materials on Etsy, making it a budget-friendly addition to your party plans.
Beer pong
For an unforgettable and uniquely entertaining experience at your outdoor wedding, consider incorporating beer pong into the celebration. This classic party game is sure to delight your guests, particularly among the younger crowd. To get started, simply set up a table and give it a chalky makeover with some spray chalk. Write down the team names on the board – cleverly opting for ‘Bride’ and ‘Groom’ to make it a personalized and playful experience in honor of the happy couple.
This fresh twist is sure to bring a lively atmosphere to your backyard wedding, making it an unforgettable addition to your special day.
Picture frame photo booth
To create a charming photo booth for your backyard wedding, start by crafting wooden panels and gilding them with a touch of gold. Add some whimsical fairy lights and a sprinkle of flowers to elevate the booth’s visual appeal. This unique setup allows guests to snap memorable photos throughout the day, creating lasting mementos from your special celebration.
Create a great atmosphere
To create a memorable atmosphere at your wedding, focus on leveraging what you already have. Since you won’t need to cater to hundreds of guests, you can maintain an intimate and personal feel. Take advantage of budget-friendly options like fairy lights, which can transform any space into a warm and inviting area. For flowers, consider opting for in-season arrangements, as they’ll be more affordable and still make a beautiful statement.
The dynamic between your guests can also greatly impact the atmosphere at your wedding. When everyone knows each other, it can either elevate or deflate the mood. To keep things light and enjoyable, ensure there are snacks and drinks readily available for guests to grab as needed. And don’t forget to be considerate of any dietary restrictions, health concerns, or allergies that may arise.
By being mindful of these factors, you’ll minimize stress on your special day and create a welcoming environment for everyone involved.
Staying within the budget doesn’t have to be hard
One of the greatest perks of having a backyard wedding is that it provides an opportunity to keep costs in check. Without the need to worry about renting a lavish venue, accommodating hundreds of guests, or providing extravagant favors and gifts, you can focus on creating a memorable experience for your loved ones. This means you can get creative with DIY decor, personalized gifts for your guests, and even use rose petals as a unique send-off confetti.
Instead of opting for extensive catering, consider setting up a snack board with an assortment of treats. Additionally, offering wine, beer, lemonade, or juice stands will keep your guests happy and hydrated without breaking the bank. By being thoughtful about your choices, you can ensure that your wedding decorations and gifts exude warmth and personality without sacrificing your budget.
Why should you try out a backyard wedding?
When contemplating the ideal wedding scenario, it’s often overlooked that backyard weddings offer a refreshing alternative to traditional venues. By opting for an intimate gathering with loved ones, you can allocate more resources towards a memorable honeymoon adventure. With a smaller guest list and fewer logistical concerns, you’re free to focus on crafting a unique and personalized celebration that truly reflects your style.
