Have you decided you want to transform your backyard into your wedding venue? This may be something you’ve always dreamed about, or you might be pivoting to a new game plan because of the current climate.

Personally, I’ve always loved backyard weddings. They’re a great balance between comfortable and cozy, but still celebratory and romantic. With some creativity, your backyard can become the perfect wedding venue.

If you’re interested in learning more about the logistics and all of the important things to consider when it comes to a backyard wedding, you can check out another one of my posts here. If you’re more in the “I don’t want to deal with all this planning” camp, you can check out my all-inclusive backyard wedding package here.

But for those of you are excited to start planning, today I’m going to talk about different ways to dress up your backyard for your wedding day.

Flowers & Plants

Yes, flowers for a wedding may seem obvious but there are so many fun and interesting ways to use them!

• Hang strands of flowers from a tree or a deck.

• Use larger potted plants as a frame for your ceremony.

• Have a florist put together two standing floral arrangements that don’t attach to anything in lieu of an arch or chuppah.

• If you are having a seated meal and want less waste, try using potted plants or mini fruit trees as centerpieces. That way, you can re-use them afterwards.

• Play off of what grows in your backyard. Take photos and share them with your florist!

• Anything can be transformed with flowers. Have a great swing set from when you were a kid? Flowers could make it a really fun photo opp.

Rentals

• Creating a lounge area will make your backyard feel like a different place. You can go for brightly colored plush couches or more neutral rattan and white. Either way, set it up near the bar for a relaxing place to hang before your meal.

• Rent farm tables and forgo the linen since wood compliments a lush backyard nicely.

• Create the illusion of an entrance using freestanding doors or curtains attached to a tree or other sturdy structure.

• Instead of using the dishes you have at home, rent something you wouldn’t normally use like vintage goblets.

Lighting

• If you’re having a late afternoon into evening celebration, don’t forget lighting! Hang string lights overhead from where your table will be.

• Use lanterns to make a path for your ceremony.

• Hang a chandelier to bridge the gap between indoor and outdoor.

Decorative Pieces

• Blankets can be functional and decorative. Hang one on the back of everyone’s ceremony or dinner chair as a keepsake.

• Rugs are easy ways to add texture, pattern and color. Check out vintage rental companies to rent instead of buying.

• Use fabric to make a ceremony backdrop that doubles as a photo booth. Securing a piece of dyed or patterned fabric to a rod is an easy DIY project that can make a big impact.

• Bet you never thought you’d have a fun use for a wheel barrow. Fill it with ice and turn it into a cooler for cans and bottles.

• Think of the activities you love to do together. If you are bikers, break out the bikes and use them as decorative props!

Food & Beverage

• If you’re inviting friends or family who will be social distancing, there are still fun ways to incorporate food and beverage. Ask your caterers to provide meals in a box (you could even buy lunch boxes or coolers for each guest as a gift). For beverages, go for cans or pre-mixed cocktails in mason jars that are easy to grab and go.

• If social distancing isn’t a factor, rent a fun mobile bar cart or a tap wall for guests to self-serve. For food, hire a private chef to man the grill and cook an elevated backyard bbq.

Other Fun Backyard Elements

• Get all the fixins for s’mores and have a post-dinner campfire.

• Get some lawn games like corn hole and horse shoes and divide your guests into teams.

• Set up a screen and projector and play a movie, or videos from guests who weren’t able to make it.

Social Distancing Specific Ideas

• Individual boxes of food and beverage for each person. Work with a caterer who will follow food safety guidelines to put together a nicely wrapped box of goodies!

• Set bistro-style tables (small cocktail rounds) 6 feet apart for those who live together. It will still feel like one cohesive space.

• Opt for a picnic instead! Some rental companies offer low tables that are meant for floor dining. Or, set areas of blankets and pillows.

• Inviting groups in shifts is a way to still have more people attend, but keep the number of people on site at any given time down. You could hire a videographer to livestream your ceremony to those who can’t be there for that portion.

• Set up your ceremony in a circle with you two in the middle. This will allow people to spread out but still have a good angle and be able to hear.

• Work with your photographer to figure out different configurations with your friends and extended family that look beautiful, but feel safe for everyone.

I know so many couples are re-thinking their plans, moving up timelines and just generally lost because of the current situation. If you’re planning your backyard wedding in New York or New Jersey for 2020 and are interested in wedding planning support, please reach out here.

If all of this sounds overwhelming and an all-inclusive backyard package is more your speed, click the button below to read more about this offering.