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Have you + your love tossed around the idea of throwing a backyard wedding? Maybe you’re after the sentimental factor of having the big day at a place you grew up, or somewhere that means so much to the two of you. Perhaps you want to gather your family and closest friends around for an intimate day that feels like more of a celebratory dinner party. Or, maybe you’d like to have it at home to cut the cost of a traditional venue…and choose whatever date you so desire (and not waiting until a spot on the calendar opens up in three years). Whatever the reason, we LOVE all the customization that can go into a backyard wedding.

At GWS, we’ve seen quite a few nuptials held in backyards and received tons of advice from vendors and couples about the experience. A backyard bash may seem like the epitome of laid-back vibes and casual bliss, but there is actually quite a bit of planning involved to make the day as dreamy as possible. So, we thought it would be helpful to create a list of our go-to tips for hosting an outdoor occasion. Whether you’re already in the planning process, or still figuring out IF your backyard is the place—we’ve got a few things for you to consider!

2. Consider the Weather + Time of Year2. Consider the Weather + Time of Year

5. Get the Yard in Shape 

You don’t want to be scrambling the day before to get the yard ready. We’d suggest starting to get the yard in shape MONTHS before. Whether this means some heavy weeding, laying grass, or planting rows of florals, all of these little preparations will just add to the magic and you can embrace the natural décor.

 6. Make Sure the Home Has Necessary Amenities

For a small wedding, one bathroom is probably fine. But if you’re expecting 20+ people, look into renting portable bathrooms. While this might not sound like the chicest thing…you can actually rent nice restroom trailers! This will alleviate any queueing up for the bathroom and prevent people from continually asking you where the bathroom is.

Valet and parking! This is HUGE. Consider where people are going to park—is there ample space on your block for 20+ cars? See if you can find a nearby parking lot (perhaps a school closed on the weekend or a public park) where guests can leave their car. You could encourage guests to Uber if they aren’t coming from too far…or, help make things run really smoothly by hiring a valet or shuttle service.

7. Inform Neighbors About Your Backyard Wedding

Let your neighbors know in advance that you’ll be hosting a one-time special event. If they have any issues on the day of, provide them with the name and phone number of who to contact. Your neighbors are much more likely to let things slide (and possibly offer to help) if you fill them in. You don’t want to have to worry about noise complaints.

A few more things to check on: fire codes, noise ordinances, zoning issues, and permits. For smaller gatherings, this usually isn’t an issue, but if you’re expecting 50+ guests, we’d suggest looking into these things. Some places are stricter than others, so it’s better to be prepared than run the risk of having your event shut down.

8. Power Up for Sound + Lighting

With the sound system and lighting comes the need for an added source of power. We’d advise getting a real generator so you don’t lose power right when things start to heat up. The last thing you want to deal with is a power outage in the middle of your wedding! Typically, the existing power from your house will not cut it for professional-grade rentals and equipment.

9. Bring in Some Good Eats

Do you want a grazing table of sorts or different food stations all around the backyard? If you’ve got a favorite restaurant with a food truck, those can be a ton of fun. If you’re going with a caterer who will prep in your kitchen, they’ll need to be made aware of cooking facilities ahead of time. For a backyard wedding, your first choice might be a BBQ-style meal, ordering large quantities of food to be delivered, or food trucks.