Over the last year I’ve had the opportunity to photograph a few small backyard weddings, and I’ve really fallen in love with them. It can be easy to overlook a small wedding, thinking you need to have a huge party, including every pinterest-perfect detail, but I think small backyard weddings deserve a little more attention. They’re slower-paced and personal, including just a few of the people you love most.
Backyard Wedding Ideas
If you’re looking for backyard wedding ideas, you’ve come to the right place. Below, I’ve shared some photos from Marion and Tim’s backyard wedding, and included some of my tips and tricks on planning your own intimate backyard wedding.
Backyard Wedding Menu Ideas
The good news is, having a small wedding, you have SO many menu options. You don’t have to worry (as much) about finding a meal that will please everyone, so feel free to get a little more creative. The meal could be made by someone in attendance (like the delicious hors d'oeuvres made by Marion’s mom), or you could plan for a catered meal from a local restaurant. I always suggest going the catered route so everyone can relax and enjoy the day, but if you have a loved one who loves to cook and is up for the task it can bring another special element to your big day. Also, don’t feel like you have to serve a traditional dinner. Personally, I love the idea of a selection of hors d'oeuvres or a grazing table and desserts.
How to turn a backyard into a wedding venue
The good news is, turning a backyard into a wedding venue doesn’t have to be difficult. The biggest tip I can give you is to find a place that is naturally beautiful. The more naturally beautiful the home/property is, the less you need to worry about decorating because the location will shine all on its own.
When picking a place for your ceremony, think about the backdrop. In photographs, what will be behind you? Backyard ceremony backdrops could be a porch, a group of trees or shrubs, a fire pit, or a field. Keep it simple, or add in an arch or arbor.
Your options may be limited, but if you can, also think about what will be behind you in photos as you’re walking down the aisle/to your ceremony space. If there’s anything in that area that you wouldn’t want in photos, consider moving it before the ceremony.
Also, Remember that just because you’re having a backyard wedding, it doesn’t mean it has to be your own backyard. Marion and Tim’s ceremony was in the backyard of their friend’s (gorgeous) home, so if you have a friend or family member who is willing to open their home for a small event, that’s always an option too.
Another great way to have a backyard wedding without using your own backyard to find an Airbnb or rental. This gorgeous wedding in the Adirondacks took place at a rental property, and the backyard made the perfect backdrop for their ceremony. It also allowed their guests a place to spend the night before and after the wedding so that they could spend more time together celebrating.
Decorations for Backyard Wedding
When thinking about decorations for a backyard wedding, you might be thinking about flowers. Flowers can be a large part of a typical wedding budget, but with a small backyard wedding, you may not need many, if any, flowers. A bouquet, a boutonniere, and a centerpiece for the table may be all you want. Marion opted to go without a bouquet and had just a few florals outside and a bouquet inside the house and it was absolutely perfect.
You can take it easy on the decor too, especially if your location is naturally beautiful. Tim and Marion had chairs set out for their parents with name cards and a cozy blanket for keeping warm (which is an idea I LOVE for fall weddings).
Backyard Wedding Photographer
Find a photographer you LOVE. A good photographer will make your small backyard wedding look just as stunning as an expensive wedding venue. My best advice for booking the photographer you really want for your small backyard wedding is to plan your wedding during the week. It all depends on the day, but at most, you probably only need a few hours of photography coverage. Most wedding photographers are scheduling all-day events on the weekends, so they won’t be able to accommodate a small event. Definitely speak with the photographer about their availability, but in general, your best bet for getting your dream photographer for a shorter event is usually during the week. The good news is, since you’re getting married at home or in an Airbnb, you don’t have to worry about venue availability, so your date will be more flexible.
Wedding photos with pets
Tim and Marion included their (adorable) dog Tristan in their wedding photos, but an at-home backyard wedding is also an awesome way to include pets that normally wouldn’t be able to make it to the wedding. I’ve seen so many beautiful photos of people who were able to include their cats in their big day because they got married at their house or a pet-friendly Airbnb. So, if you want to include your furry family members, definitely consider a backyard wedding.
Backyard Wedding Ideas for Fall
If you’re planning your backyard wedding for the fall, some of my favorite fall details from Tim and Marion’s wedding were:
Tall Boots - Marion’s tall brown boots scream fall, and they looked so pretty with her long-sleeve, knee-length white dress.
Cozy Blankets - The cozy blankets draped over the ceremony chairs and picnic table were the perfect finishing touch. They made for beautiful photos, but it was also practical in case anyone needed to cover up during the chilly fall morning.
Fall Colors - This one is pretty obvious, but definitely don't be afraid to lean into the colors of the season with your bouquets and decorations. For this wedding, Marion added some blue details as an accent color, and it was beautiful.