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I’ve been so excited to cover this topic because backyard weddings are perfect for weddings with 50 guests or less. Backyard weddings are gaining in popularity because of the cost savings, flexibility, convenience, and intimacy, and honestly they’re just the best. Whether you use your own backyard, the backyard of a family member or friend, or rent one through Airbnb, choosing a backyard is the best for a small wedding.
The purpose of this post is to provide some insight into how to have a small backyard wedding. The planning process is a little different than the one we outlined in our small wedding planning checklist as you’ll have to consider some additional details that you may not have had to with a traditional wedding. There are also unique opportunities that you’ll want to take advantage of—we’re covering it all!
Increasingly, couples are choosing non-traditional wedding venues. This is happening for a variety of reasons: choosing a location that’s a true reflection of them as a couple, looking for budget-friendly options, or just plain convenience and flexibility. Plus, small weddings are perfect candidates for backyard weddings because even small backyards can accommodate an intimate guest list.
There’s no denying that exchanging vows at home is one of the more intimate settings you can choose for your ceremony or reception. Even if it isn’t your home, many backyards just lend themselves to cozy environments making them a perfect fit for small celebrations that are prioritizing time with loved ones.
If affordability is top of mind, private homes are a great way to cut costs. Wedding venues often make up over 30% of a wedding’s cost so cutting this down to near zero really helps keep spending under control.
Learn more about finding the perfect backyard wedding venue — spoiler alert: it doesn't have to be your backyard!
I didn’t know it at the time, but convenience and flexibility turned out to be a real perk I experienced as a backyard wedding bride. I chose to rent someone else’s backyard through VRBO and it was so affordable that I was able to have it for the entire week, giving me extra time with the space for planning and to attend to last minute details.
A lot of couples choose to have a backyard wedding to save money. Couple a small guest list with a backyard venue and you’re well on your way to having a really affordable wedding! But, there will still be some costs. How much? Let’s break it down.
A backyard wedding venue can be anything from completely free if you’re using your own to just as expensive as a traditional venue if you’re renting a luxurious private home. I’d say, on average, you can expect to spend between $0 and $1000 on your backyard wedding venue (remember, this is just for the space, we’ll outline the rest below).
There will be very little difference in the cost of wedding vendors between a backyard wedding and having it anywhere else. Unfortunately, you won’t get a discount for choosing to get married at home so the cost of these services really comes down to who you hire and if you hire.
Even though you can save by choosing this type of venue, it’s important to remember that most backyards don’t come equipped with amenities suitable for events. Think sound systems, lighting, space for catering, tables, chairs, a plan B in case of weather, and more. When assessing the overall cost of your backyard wedding venue, you’ll want to take these things into consideration.
I’ve seen two backyard weddings firsthand in the last few years, here’s how much they cost:
DIY backyard wedding in their own backyard — $10,000
Airbnb backyard wedding — $18,000*
*this included a full week at the VRBO
Planning a backyard wedding is similar to planning any other wedding, but there are a few differences which I will cover below.
No matter what kind of wedding you’re planning, I always recommend starting with these steps before doing anything else:
Once you have those key things nailed down, it’s time to get into the details!
First things first, choose the backyard. This doesn’t have to be your backyard. You can use anyone’s backyard — friends and family, Airbnb, or one found on sites like Peerspace! Here are a few options to consider for a backyard wedding venue.
When you think of having a small backyard wedding, you might think of your backyard. There are pros and cons to this choice. For the pros, first, having full control over decor and how the space lays out. Second, convenience - since you live there, you can spend as much time as you want or need to prep the space. The one drawback is that you’re left with a mess in your space.
If you have generous people in your community who are willing to loan their backyard space this is also a great option! While you might not have quite as much control over decor options, you won’t be left with the mess in your backyard (but you should probably plan for a clean-up crew).
If you have a budget for space rental, you may want to consider renting a private home’s backyard for your small wedding. You can find amazing spaces, including historic homes, big log cabins overlooking a lake or mountains, or a sleek urban space in the heart of a city.
As I mentioned before, this is the route I went and I am a huge fan! There are plenty of spaces, especially on VRBO, that allow weddings, you just have to know where to look.
Peerspace, Tagvenue, and many other sites offer rentals by the hour. You can find some really cool outdoor spaces on these sites and they’re great for shorter events or if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind space.
You’ll want to consider size, layout, natural elements, and weather considerations. Any backyard will do for a small wedding but you’ll want to make sure there’s plenty of space for all the things you hope to have as a part of your wedding.
Think of the backyard space like a house or venue and map out different spaces such as the ceremony site, dining, food, mingling, dancing, games, etc. You may have guests that are excited to relax by the fire pit while others prefer to dance the night away. A properly designed space can accommodate everyone’s preferences ensuring that all your guests have a great time! And don’t forget the indoor spaces!
When you’re thinking about how many guests you want to have, don’t just consider the outdoor space, consider your weather contingency plan and where people would go in the event of less than ideal weather. If you’re planning on having 50 guests be sure all 50 guests can comfortably fit in plan B!
Be sure to check your HOA or city policies on events for things like regulations for noise, parking, and gathering size. If you’re renting an Airbnb, this should be something you work out before booking to ensure your vision can come to life without any worry of breaking the rules.
Be sure to secure event insurance for coverage beyond homeowner’s insurance, just in case!
Let the neighbors know ahead of time (and no, you don’t have to invite them!). Chances are your backyard will be lit up and perhaps a little more rowdy than usual so good to give everyone in your vicinity a head’s up!
Whether you plan to have everyone move inside the home, a garage, a covered space outside, or rent or buy a tent just make sure there’s plenty of space for the entire guest list to hang there for the whole time…just in case.
If the home has limited bathrooms or accessibility might be a challenge, consider renting bathrooms. There are actually really “classy” options for bathroom rentals these days and that ensures no one has to wait and is also one less thing to clean at the end of the event!
As you think about your backyard ceremony, here are things to plan for.
The major parts of your wedding are the ceremony and reception and you’ll want things to flow well between the two even though you’re using the same space for both. One way is to have a space for the ceremony that can be repurposed as the dance floor once the chairs are moved to the reception dining space.
Look around the backyard space for natural elements you could use as a backdrop. Whether it's mountains, a cool gate or garden arch, a beautiful tree, those can all work or you can rent or buy a wedding arch or some other meaningful display to highlight the ceremony.
The sky is the limit when it comes to designing and personalizing your ceremony. So much so that we wrote an entire post on it, but we’ll give you a few here.
Let the fun begin! The reception can shape up in any way you like, but here are some things to look at when you’re planning your reception at home.
Similar to the ceremony, you can do so many cool things for your reception at home. Here’s a few to get the creative juices flowing.
The only thing to mention here is you need to make sure you have enough space for food prep, serving, and storage. If you’re hiring a private chef or caterer, make sure the space has everything they need to do their job well. If you’re bringing in a food truck, ensure it has a place to set up out of the way. When I was exploring catering for my small backyard wedding this was a large part of the conversation with every food vendor—be sure to do your research so there aren’t any surprises later.
Small backyard weddings allow for some really unique seating arrangements. If you plan to have a seated dinner, consider long tables, many circular tables, a U-shaped orientation, or whatever you dream up. Also, consider seating when people aren’t eating. Set up spaces around a fire pit or create an outdoor living room with rented couches and armchairs for guests to sit and relax.
Using string lights, candles, lanterns, or fire pits to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. If your event will extend past dark, you’ll want plenty of lighting that’s appropriate for the vibe you’re going for.
Setting up speakers to play your own playlist, hiring a DJ, or having live music are all great ways to create a great vibe.
If you’re having a backyard wedding chances are there aren’t staff on hand to help you clean up so you’ll want to plan on this. The last thing you’re going to want to do the morning after your wedding is clean up. Food, decor, flowers, and event rentals are all things that will need to be cleaned up. Here are a few tips:
Making it convenient for your guests to dispose of trash and recyclables will make things so much easier for whoever is in charge of clean-up.
In conclusion, planning a small backyard wedding offers a unique and intimate setting that allows for creativity and personalization. By carefully assessing the space, considering guest comfort, and being mindful of legal and logistical requirements, you can create an unforgettable experience for you and your loved ones.
Remember to think through every detail—from the ceremony setup to dining arrangements and even post-wedding cleanup—to ensure everything flows smoothly. With the right preparation and thoughtful touches, your backyard wedding can be both beautiful and memorable, celebrating your love in a setting that feels truly special. Enjoy the journey of planning, and cherish every moment of your big day!
