The Hidden Costs of Backyard Weddings
Here’s the deal:
by Shalini MisirI absolutely love backyard weddings. Walking down an aisle of wildflowers planted by your parents, saying your vows under the tree you used to climb as a kid - a wedding in your own backyard can be so meaningful, intimate and personalized, and from my experience, it always ends with the most epic of parties.
The thing is, there seems to be a misconception that backyard weddings are more cost-effective than booking a full-service venue. As a wedding planner, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t give you the full picture of the costs behind the scenes.
Do-It-Yourself:
Yes, there are some cost savings - the property is free (a rare word in wedding planning!), and you can lean on your family and friends to assist with tasks. Landscaping, running power to the site, and making a dance floor are all possible with the right people to help. You can DIY elements of your decor such as making centerpieces, favours, ceremony decor and garlands for the tent ceiling. It is also fun to personalize details such as the bar, sweet table, welcome table and even a cool photo spot!
Hire-it-Out:
This may be your home, but you will also need to provide the amenities of any other wedding venue. You will need a tent for shelter (our summers can be unpredictable!), portable toilets, an area for catering, coolers, ice and water. And don’t forget the tables, chairs, linens, lighting, cutlery, dishes and glassware! These items can run up your costs quite quickly and often this is where I see couples reconsidering their wedding location. Renting will generally be your most cost-effective option and will save you a lot of stress. Yes, there are some items you can build, borrow or buy but always keep in mind that for every task you take on, there is a cost of time, materials and storage after the wedding.
I highly recommend using a professional company for your music and A/V needs. DJs come fully equipped with speakers, cords, mics, and a full library of music - not to mention that they will be able to cue your music at the right time - trust me, this is important!
Extras:
A key cost-saving feature to a backyard wedding is food and drink. You won’t normally need a liquor license and you can avoid the upsell costs of alcohol from a venue. I do, however, recommend covering yourself for liability. Get event insurance, smart-serve bartenders and transportation to protect yourself against issues that may arise from guests who overindulge.
Your wedding dinner should absolutely be catered by a professional company - this is not an area to skimp! Save some cash with your cocktail hour and late-night snacks by preparing your own hors d’oeuvres or having your family do a dessert pot-luck of their favourite sweets. My personal favourite for dance floor snacks is a drunk-food buffet. Set-up bowls of chips & dip, meat & cheese trays, pickles and everything else you love to nosh on after a few drinks. It’s easy, cheap and definitely a crowd pleaser!
Finally, consider hiring a wedding coordinator to handle the details on the day-of. From putting out your DIY decor, handling weather changes, tending to your guests and managing the timeline of the day, a coordinator is worth their weight in gold in giving you the chance to enjoy your time with family and friends and not stressing about the little (but very important) details.
Planning a backyard wedding can give you a beautiful backdrop to celebrate your love. Before you start, I recommend creating a detailed budget and being honest with the time and work you and your crew are willing to put in. If you need assistance in creating a plan, speak to a wedding planner to make sure your day turns out as perfect as can be.
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Shalini Misir is the owner of Maid for the Bride, awarded your favourite local wedding planning company 5 years running. She also co-owns Plan Your Day - an online wedding planning resource with her partners Torin Gunnell and Graysen Thompson.
