Transform Your New Jersey Backyard into Your Wedding Venue
Are you considering turning your New Jersey backyard into a dreamy wedding venue? Whether this has always been your vision or you're simply drawn to the charm of an intimate, home-centered celebration, a backyard wedding in the Garden State can be both enchanting and personal.
Personally, I’ve always loved backyard weddings in New Jersey. They strike the perfect balance between comfortable and cozy while still being celebratory and romantic. With some creativity, your backyard can transform into the perfect wedding venue.
If you’re curious about the logistics and everything you need to consider for a backyard wedding, check out another one of my posts here. For those in the "I don’t want to deal with all this planning" camp, take a look at my all-inclusive New Jersey 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 flower strands from a tree or your deck.
Frame your ceremony space with large potted plants. Consider using native New Jersey florals for a local touch.
Replace a traditional arch or chuppah with two standing floral arrangements that can be easily moved and reused throughout the day.
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.
Work with what already grows in your New Jersey backyard garden. 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 can give your New Jersey backyard a whole new vibe.
Creating a lounge area will make your backyard feel like a different place. Rent brightly colored plush couches or neutral rattan furniture and set them up near the bar for a relaxing place to hang out before your meal.
Rent farm tables and forgo linens and let the natural beauty of wood complement your lush New Jersey backyard.
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
Lighting is crucial, especially for an afternoon or evening wedding in your New Jersey backyard. Here are some tips to get it just right.
Hang string lights overhead from where your table will be.
Use lanterns to guide guests to the ceremony area.
Hang a chandelier to bridge the gap between indoor and outdoor settings.
Decorative Pieces
Personal touches make your New Jersey backyard wedding truly unique. Below are a few decorative pieces you can choose to include.
Blankets can be functional and decorative. Hang one on the back of everyone’s ceremony or dinner chair as a keepsake.Rent vintage rugs to add texture, pattern, and color to your outdoor spaces.
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 quirky cooler for cans and bottles.
Use items that reflect your shared hobbies—like bikes or gardening tools—as decorative elements
Food & Beverage
Elevate your New Jersey backyard wedding with a personalized dining experience.
Highlight local produce and flavors with a seasonal, farm-to-table menu.
Offer build-your-own options like taco bars or gourmet pizza stations for a fun, customizable dining experience.
Hire a private chef to prepare elevated backyard barbecue dishes like grilled lobster tails or herb-marinated steaks.
Bring in food trucks for a variety of cuisines, adding a casual and unique touch.
Craft a signature cocktail and set up a DIY cocktail bar or tap wall for guests to enjoy.
Keep the energy up with late-night snacks like mini sliders or gourmet popcorn
Other Fun Backyard Elements
Incorporate some fun activities to make your New Jersey backyard wedding truly memorable.
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.
Organize a trivia game with questions about the couple or favorite topics.
I know many couples are rethinking their plans of hosting larger events and instead starting to plan more intimate backyard celebrations. If you’re planning a New Jersey backyard wedding and need 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.