Tips for Creating Your Backyard Wedding

Late last week I promised I'd provide some tips on how to create a backyard wedding setting. I was intending to do that this past Saturday but... life happened. So here we are. A little late, but the info is coming just the same.

One note before we get started: Before anyone sets out to create a backyard wedding setting they need to take the time to think two things through: First they need to think, very specifically, about exactly what type of garden wedding they want whether it's calla lily themed, Victorian, butterfly, bird (very popular this year), flamingo, or something else. The danger of not taking the time to think it through is that you will end up with a very vague kind of garden wedding - in other words, a nice wedding in a nice backyard. And that is probably not exactly everything you were dreaming of.

Secondly, and this follows closely with the first. Once a bride has considered what she'd like then she has to consider not only what she can afford, but how much she needs to create an effective theme. In other words, is a butterfly wedding just that if the only butterflies present are in the brides hair? How much do you need to create the image you are looking for? Ultimately the answer to that question is up to the bride - though nearly everyone is likely to have an opinion.

So, these ideas for creating a backyard wedding are more generalized. It's up to the bridal party to find a way to make them work in the theme and yard available.

• Take most of the money you would have spent on flowers from a florist to decorate your wedding and spend it instead at a nursery on live plants. This way you can create an oasis that you will be able to enjoy for years to come. Just remember, to choose plants that are either highly likely to be in bloom on your wedding date or that are so decorative that blooming is not necessary.
• Using the money you would have spent on renting another location, build a gazebo, a wedding arch, or a covered path.
• Save money by having a work party to shape the garden in your backyard. Have friends that can bring tools and work gloves. You provide the rest. Have the entire plan mapped out in advance. Have plenty of music and refreshments to make it a fun day as your entire party gets to see your wedding venue take shape in front of your eyes.
• Have a shopping party with some of your closest shopping companions to search for the accent pieces you need. Maybe it's as simple as a butterfly themed gazing ball, maybe you'll want colorful fabric butterflies to affix to the wedding gazebo. Maybe you want live butterflies to release at the end of the ceremony (check local ordinances).
• Of course, choose a wedding favor that will serve as both additional decor for your wedding and serve as a visual reminder of your special day. For example, a bride choosing a calla lily wedding might choose a beautiful, yet practical, favors like a calla lily bookmark, a glass calla lily themed coaster, or a calla lily bottle stopper (Hint: getting a mixture of all three so that your guests can make a choice and or trade with one another raises your chances that your favors will be kept and treasured).
• Be sure to have covered area to accommodate your wedding party in the event that the weather doesn't cooperate and to display your wedding cake (cakes and heat don't get along very well). There are any number of ways to accomplish this, but the simple option is to rent a tent for the wedding.

Creating a backyard wedding venue is a great opportunity, not only to personalize your wedding but to give you and your family something tangible to keep and enjoy for years after your wedding day.