Hollywood has long extolled the virtues of backyard weddings. Don't believe me? Go rent copies of the movie Father of the Bride or Thirteen Going on Thirty, to name just a couple that come to mind. But did you know that a backyard wedding can save you money (or at least make certain that you get the most out of your money) and help the environment?
Let's tackle the second one first. The backyard wedding can help the environment because:
- When family and friends already live close-by a backyard wedding minimizes the need for people to drive, saving gas and congestion on the roads.
- Since backyard weddings are easier to mount during daylight hours of the long spring and summer days, less electricity is used.
- Most backyard weddings hold both the reception and the ceremony in the same area saving the need for extra driving.
- Garden weddings make use of the beauty of nature the owner has cultivated for their enjoyment anyway - or they bring in plants to landscape the area, creating a natural landscape that can be enjoyed and will create new oxygen for years to come.
A backyard nuptial celebration can save money for the new couple because:
- No venue rental.
- Usually less need for flowers to dress up the grounds.
- No need to hire wedding car - except, perhaps, for the 'get-away'.
- Decoration (landscaping) can be done by family and friends months before the event (depending on location).
Is your backyard not "nice enough" for a wedding? Dress it up. Spend some of the money that would otherwise be spent on venue rental to landscape the yard. If the yard is Mom or Dad's they might even be willing to spend a little more on landscaping or a gazebo for the event since they will have it to enjoy for a long time afterwards - a place you can always come back to to relive that glorious garden wedding day!
