Home can be the ultimate sanctuary, tying together a sense of nostalgia, comfort, family, and one's own design sensibility. So when choosing a wedding venue, it's no surprise that backyard weddings happen to be a favorite amongst the stylish set. Jackie wed Jack Kennedy at her family’s estate in Newport, Rhode Island, Beyoncé and Jay-Z tied the knot at their Tribeca penthouse, and after her 1959 wedding to Jacques Charrier, Brigitte Bardot retreated to her parent’s house in Louveciennes, France. Bardot’s backyard marriage celebration was an incredibly casual one—she said “I Do” wearing a cotton day dress of pink gingham.
Should you be considering your own at-home wedding, there are a few things to consider. “Remember, when you are hosting an outdoor event, you are building a venue,” says Michelle Norwood, a wedding planner based in New Orleans who is responsible for this jazz-filled celebration previously featured in Vogue. But that doesn’t mean you need an architect to ready the space.
Ahead, Norwood, along with event producers Stefanie Cove and Jung Lee, share their most valuable tips on hosting the perfect backyard wedding.
Save the Date
Pick a date for your backyard wedding thoughtfully. With more people working from home, guests may be more lenient with their schedules. Lee advises couples take advantage of this and not feel pressured to stick to holiday weekends in the summer. “You should get married in the season that you love, whether that be late summer or fall. Each season has so much to offer in look and feel. Do you prefer lighter and airier colors or rich, dark richer hues? Figure out which speaks to you as a couple, and go deep into it.”
If your alfresco wedding date is set a full year away, Cove suggests experiencing the space beforehand. “Ideally, look at the landscaping a year prior so you have an idea of what the property will look like in bloom for your wedding date. This will prevent any surprises.”
Divide Up Your Space
If possible, designate individual locations for arrivals, the ceremony, the reception, and the after-party. Depending on how much space you have to work with, try to spread out the festivities as it will keep the flow of traffic steady and streamlined throughout the event. “I highly recommend having separate spaces for the ceremony and reception. It avoids having to flip the space between. Plus, your guest transition is much easier between events,” says Norwood.
The most atmospheric space should host the ceremony—but test it out first. Per Jung, “Consider all your options, then simply take a photo with you standing in front to gain perspective—ideally at the time you want to be getting married so you can be sure the lighting is right and the sun isn’t hitting you directly in the eye.”
As your event winds down, move into smaller spaces. Cove recommends hosting after-reception festivities in the coziest part of your backyard. “If you anticipate a much smaller group for the late-night dancing and party, I would move to yet another smaller space so it doesn’t feel like 30 guests are in a space big enough for 300," she explains.
Consider a Dance Floor
If you have a paved courtyard area, then there’s no need to bring in flooring. However, grass parties are difficult to pull off. Not only will a dance floor provide a smooth surface for the first dance, but it will also designate an area for people to congregate while the band is playing. “We often incorporate the architectural hardscape of the property and mimic it so it looks natural. Whether that be limestone, bluestone, or mosaic tile,” says Lee.
If flooring is out of your budget, Norwood suggests communicating to your guests to wear appropriate shoes. “Lawns and stilettos don't mix. You can gift your guests with lawn heel protectors, so they are not digging their heels in the lawn all night, or advise them beforehand to wear wedges.” You can also provide your guests with alternate shoes for dancing—flip flops or flats (Norwood recommends Rescue Flats)—but have a tucked away station where guests can ditch their shoes to ensure you “don't have a sea of colorful mismatched shoes in your wedding photos.”
Enhance Existing Flora
Work with the existing landscaping when bringing in more florals. Be mindful of what flowers are in season and the local vegetation for an authentic feel. “Bringing in complementary neutral florals to simply elevate the space is how I like to design,” says Norwood. “No matter the season, neutral hues are classic and elegant.”
You can also artificially enhance existing plantings. For roses and hydrangea bushes that have “seen better days” Lee will bring in tubed blooms of the flower and nestle them into the bush. For other floral arrangements, be mindful of the weather. If it’s particularly hot out, keep your flowers in a cool air-conditioned space as long as possible before setting them into place.
Keep Decor Personal
No matter what you’re going for, make it meaningful. “[Decor] is so important and should be incredibly personal. We often use the couples' china, silverware, and crystal from their wedding registry and use it as their place setting. To use your personal wedding china and stemware as you have your first dinner as a married couple is so special.”
Don’t feel the need to keep everything uniform. You can mix an assortment of vintage goblets and glasses for a bohemian effect or rent vintage crockery in an array of patterns.
But think beyond the dinner table. As Cove explains, “It is easy to assume that decor just refers to florals and linens. I also like to consider the bar facades, treatments to tent poles, treatments to tent ceilings (fabric or greenery), stage façades, and specialty napkins (embroidered, etc.). The small details will matter the most, and it’s important to reflect the couple’s aesthetic as well as the surrounding location in these design elements.”
Time the Sunset
“Make sure you look at the sunset time for your wedding date when deciding the guest arrival and ceremony start times. And ensure that all necessary areas are lit based on that timeline,” says Cove.
After dark, string lights, candles, and chandeliers can illuminate the spaces. “Always consider the weather,” says Norwood. “If the winds are high or if it rains you will want to use LED candles in lieu of traditional flame candles.” Be mindful of the fact that additional lighting might also require the use of a generator.
Plan for the Worst Weather
You always need a backup plan. If feasible, have a tent at the ready if the forecast calls for rain. Tent posts can be festooned with greenery and florals so as not to take away from the ambiance. Rain in the preceding days or morning might require flooring (if the ground gets too wet) so also have a floor option available to you.
Also, check for the day’s wind speed as the wind can often be worse than rain and make it impossible to set up your event. Norwood advises to “be prepared with EZ Clips to secure linens in place and LED candles. If you're hosting a seated dinner, have a backup plan to place menus under wine bottles, cards in forks, napkins under plates, or use napkin rings. The more you prepare, the better off you are on the wedding day.” Having parasols, umbrellas, and shawls on hand will ensure your guests are comfortable no matter the forecast (and make for good gifts).
Be Mindful of Catering
One of the best parts about hosting at a venue with a professional kitchen is that food can be prepared or re-fired on-site. While you might have a sizable home kitchen, it’s likely not fit to accommodate preparing meals for hundreds of guests. Make sure to work with your caterer to set up an adequate amount of space, any outdoor grills needed, and the proper heating and energy required to ensure all guests can be fed throughout the evening without a hitch.
Consider the Front Yard
While you might assume a home wedding has to take place in the backyard, don’t overlook the venue potential of your front yard, too. A stoop decorated with florals can serve as a beautiful low-key ceremony space, while a front lawn or porch could be the site of your cocktail hour. Think of your home holistically to make the most of its beautiful landscaping and architecture to frame your festivities.
Think Locally
One of the best parts of having a wedding at home is you can curate an event with some of your favorite local bites and businesses. Bring in after-party bites from your go-to late-night spot or have a nearby bakery work on creating your cake. Working with a florist in the area is also incredibly helpful to your plans as reduced transportation to bring locally grown blooms to your celebration can significantly cut down on costs.
Prepare Permits and Neighbors
On one of the biggest days of your life, you really don’t want to have the cops showing up to shut the party down. If you’re hosting a backyard wedding, it’s essential to consult with your local noise ordinances and obtain the proper permits needed to host a large event. Before even sending out any invites, make sure to handle the red tape and be secure in the knowledge you can actually host your celebration.
Have houses nearby that will likely hear the sounds of your live band? Do a door-to-door visit (with gifts in hand) to inform them of your wedding plans and let them know details like when noise will begin and end. It may make for some awkward convos, but will likely reduce the chances of any complaints.
