In a world Post-2020, backyard weddings have taken the wedding industry by storm. With ample flexibility for couples to infuse more of their personalities without breaking the bank, it’s no wonder why many are ditching the “traditional wedding venue” vibe in exchange for their own backyard. But with any kind of wedding day, there are pros and cons to whatever direction you choose for your nuptials. As a Seattle wedding and elopement photographer, I love walking alongside my couples and helping them have the day that they always envisioned. And the first step to having your best day ever? Being informed. What better way to do so than by putting together the pros and cons of a backyard wedding!? Let’s get into it!
Planning a Backyard Wedding | Pros and Cons
Whether you’re considering a traditional wedding, a backyard wedding, or an elopement, each has their own pros and cons. There is no “right” or “wrong” choice, but odds are: one option probably feels most authentic to you and your partner. I highly recommend taking time to weigh all of your options, and research the pros and cons of each type of wedding. If you can’t find a singular option that checks all of your boxes, don’t be afraid to incorporate different elements of each to create the wedding day of your dreams.
Pros of Having a Backyard Wedding
Cost Efficiency
By far, one of the biggest draws of a having a backyard wedding is the cost efficiency. According to The Knot, the average wedding venue in the United States costs upwards of $12,000. While there are several factors to consider when looking at wedding venues, you can save a huge portion of your wedding budget by opting for a backyard wedding.
Here a some factors to consider when comparing the cost of having a backyard wedding rather than a traditional wedding venue:
- Location
- Capacity of Venue
- Included Services (catering, rentals, transportation, etc.)
- Number of Hours Needed
- Insurance
- Day-Of/On-Site Coordinator
Sentimentality
I’m not quite sure how it could ever get better than saying “I do” in a place that holds so much meaning to you. Whether that be your parents’ backyard – where you and your partner spent countless evenings strolling the property hand-in-hand – or your grandparents’ lake house, chocked-full of memories of boat days, bonfires, and s’mores. Opting for a backyard wedding allows for even more personal touches than you could imagine.
Can’t you just envision sipping morning coffee with your bridal party out on the back deck before heading up to your childhood bedroom to get ready? Or picking flowers from your mom’s flower garden for your whimsical wildflower bouquet? The possibilities are endless, and the nostalgia is guaranteed.
Flexibile Timeline
Whether you’re at the very beginning of your wedding planning journey, or you’ve already spent your fair share of time researching and weighing options, you probably know how big of a headache logistics are when looking at your actually wedding day. What many couples don’t realize when looking at wedding venues is just how limited the hours are that are included in the rental fee. While you may be planning a Saturday wedding, with guests arriving at 3:00 pm for your ceremony, you may not get access to the venue until 10:00 am Saturday morning. Additionally, you may have to have everything torn down and be out of the venue no later than 12:00 am Sunday. Talk about stressful!!
But if you opt for a backyard wedding, you will have ample time to get everything set up (and torn down). Rather than being limited to the venue’s timeline (or paying extra fees to get extended access), you can slowly set up the ceremony space, reception area, etc. Having the flexibility to spread the decorating out over several days sounds like such a luxury!
Creative Freedom
Not to sound like a broken record, but planning a wedding isn’t for the faint of heart, let me tell ya. When my partner and I were planning our traditional wedding, we quickly realized that hosting 150+ people in an industrial venue just didn’t feel like “us”. And while we didn’t end up having a backyard wedding, we did end up creating a day that was exactly what we wanted. As our dream day got closer, rather than feeling overwhelmed, we felt at peace.
Opting for a backyard wedding can give you the same sense of peace, especially if you are a couple who dares to be different. There can be so much pressure surrounding weddings that couples often lose sight of their preferences. Backyard weddings allow for complete creative freedom without having to conform to the rules of a wedding venue. Many venues restrict the throwing of flower petals, bonfires, alcohol outside a designated area, and even what vendors you are allowed to use.
Intentionally Intimate
If you’re engaged, odds are that you’ve had at least a few people assume that they are invited to your wedding, even if they definitely didn’t make the cut. And while I firmly believe there is nothing wrong with letting people know that you are having an intimate wedding with a limited guest list, a backyard wedding will ensure that you actually can have an intimate wedding. All too often, couples feel obligated to invite long-lost relatives, friends of their parents, or even their own coworkers.
My hot take? Your wedding day is for you and your partner alone. You deserve to handpick each guest in attendance to celebrate your love. Whether that means you have just 20 of your favorite people or you gather loved ones from all chapters of your lives, a backyard wedding allows you the freedom to be intentional with each person you invite.
Cons of a Backyard Wedding
Logistics and Local Regulations
Believe it or not, there are several logistics and regulations to consider when planning a backyard wedding. One of the perks of opting for a wedding venue is that a day-of coordinator is included to help with all the moving parts on your wedding day. While you can certainly assign one of your loved ones to be in charge of wedding day coordination, it’s hard to beat having a professional by your side!
Additionally, wedding venues already have liquor licenses in place and have a solid understanding of sound ordinances. Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, you will likely have to adhere to local noise ordinances. Make sure to research your county or city requirements, liability insurance, parking restrictions, fire codes, and serving permits before committing to any plans.
Unpredictable Weather
Why does it seem like every state has the slogan of: “Don’t like the weather? Wait 5 minutes and it’ll change”? Well, it couldn’t be more true! One of the biggest cons of having a backyard wedding is just how unpredictable the weather can be. When couples opt for a wedding venue, there is a Plan B in place in the event of inclement weather. While many couples utilize an event tent for their backyard wedding, a downpour can still make for a muddy ground (and humid interior).
Parking and Accessibility
Another downside to backyard weddings is that they’re usually not the most accessible. Most homes just aren’t set up for guests with mobility issues — think steps, narrow doorways, gravel paths, and no real ramps or accessible bathrooms. It’s something that’s easy to overlook, but super important if you have older guests or anyone who uses a wheelchair or walker. On top of that, parking can be a total headache. Unless you live on a huge property or have super accommodating neighbors, you might be dealing with limited street parking, long walks, or needing to shuttle people in. Not impossible to solve, but definitely something to plan for ahead of time.
Limited Space
Space can get tight fast with a backyard wedding. What feels like a spacious yard when it’s empty suddenly shrinks once you add tables, chairs, a dance floor, a bar, maybe a tent — and then fill it with guests. If you’re inviting a bigger crowd, it might start to feel a little cramped, especially if the weather pushes everyone into one area. There’s also less room for vendors to set up, caterers to prep, or guests to spread out and mingle. It’s totally doable with the right layout, but it can take some creative thinking (and maybe some strategic furniture Tetris) to make everything fit comfortably.
As you spend time reading through the above Pros and Cons of a Backyard Wedding, I want to encourage you and your partner to put together your own list for each type of wedding you are considering. Wedding planning can be stressful, but it doesn’t need to be — check out my blog all about How to ACTUALLY Have Fun Wedding Planning when you’re done here!
Backyard Wedding Inspiration | Wilder Photography
Perhaps you’re already sold on a having a backyard wedding, but are still searching for ways to add a unique touch to your day. Or maybe you just need a little bit of inspiration to help you start to envision your best day ever. I’ve gotcha covered!
How to Add Character to a Backyard Wedding
- Ambient Lighting
- Twinkle lights or lanterns
- Vintage Touches
- Layered rugs
- Unique furniture pieces (can thrift or rent from a vendor)
- Lean into Existing Features of the Yard
- Use pasture-land, a the grove of trees, or another natural element on the property
- Incorporate fresh flowers from the property
- If you have ample property
- Unique Entertainment
- Include lawn games
- Cornhole
- Badmitten
- Spikeball
- Croquet
- Ladder Toss
- Live Music
- Photo Booth
- Bonfire with DIY S’mores
- Outdoor Movie (with popcorn and a candy-bar, of course!)
- Camping (I have a whole blog on the BEST summer camp wedding venues in Washington if you want the best of both worlds!)
- Include lawn games
Backyard Wedding Catering Ideas
- Themed-Buffet (think BBQ, Italian, Chinese, Mexican, or a mixture of your faves!)
- BBQ or Pig Roast
- Low Country Boil
- Food Trucks (if you’re ballin’ out, include a few for a fun variety for your guests)
- Hire a Personal Chef
- Coffee Cart
- Ice Cream Sundae Station
- Wood-Fired Pizza
- Mimosa or Bloody Mary Bar
Final Thoughts on Planning a Backyard Wedding
At the end of the day, your wedding should reflect you. Whether that looks like a big venue with all the bells and whistles, an intimate backyard celebration, or something totally off the beaten path, there’s no “right” way to get married — just the way that feels right to you and your partner. Backyard weddings offer so much charm, flexibility, and meaning, but they also come with their fair share of challenges. Hopefully, walking through these pros and cons helped you feel a little more informed and a lot more inspired.
If your heart’s pulling you toward a backyard bash, know that with the right planning (and a little creative thinking), you can totally make it magical. And if you’re still unsure what direction to go, don’t stress. The best wedding days come from listening to your gut, staying true to your relationship, and making decisions that feel aligned with your values — not what anyone else expects.
Happy planning, friends — and if you need someone to capture your backyard love story, you can contact me or follow me on the ‘Gram (@samwilderphotography). ’Til next time!
