Backyard
Weddings
It may sound like
a substantial savings option, but be careful. Backyard weddings
can actually cost you more than a more traditional venue unless
you do your homework and ask questions.
by Christina Vollant
Most
brides have at least considered whether a simple backyard
wedding might
be a better option, particularly for a small, more
intimate
ceremony. They seem more personal, that much is true.
However, crunch the numbers for a wedding in an unusual
venue—such
as your parents or close friends’ backyard—and
it might actually cost more.
Consider this: At a venue like a country club or wedding hall,
the price per person usually includes things like linens, chairs,
glasses, flatware, etc. For a wedding at a private home, however,
someone will have to pay for each item that is needed. Most venues
will also offer guest parking, a sound system that will work for
a band or DJ, and an indoor option should the weather turn foul.
“
The biggest thing is to keep an eye on the weather and plan accordingly,” says
Alan Schaffranek of Best Event Rental in State College. Schaffranek
suggests renting a canopy or a tent for the ceremony or reception,
which will keep your guests cool if the weather is warm, as well
as protect them from the rain. There are other details that the
happy couple can often overlook, too. “Lots of people don’t
think about things like bugs or pests, so you might want to get
some tiki torches, citronella candles, or set off a bomb a few
days before,” says Schaffranek. “If you are having
an evening wedding, you want to think about lighting,” he
adds. A portable dance floor is another popular option
for backyard affairs.
Planning your wedding or reception in someone’s yard means
that you will have to figure out each and every detail, as well
as limitations. If you’ve got your heart set on having the
wedding at your family farm, however, don’t be disheartened.
Speak with a professional rental service, and be honest about what
you will and won’t need. For instance, if you’re
planning on inviting 200 people, will the two restrooms
in the house really
be enough? Do you want a series of portajohns parked
outside of your wedding reception, or would an executive
trailer
with facilities
be more appropriate? Is the regular landscaping enough,
or will you want to call in a professional landscaper
to really
jazz
it up for the big day? Each change or requirement will
add to the
costs, so keep track.
There aren’t any right or wrong answers on this one; what
is required is a sharp attention to detail as well as estimates
from the professionals to better plan and not bust your budget. – SCB
Barbara
and Alex
Ceremony and reception at a private garden in Boalsburg, Catering
by Dan Rallis of Catering With Style; entertainment by Maxwell
Strait; rentals by Best Event; flowers by Avant Garden.
Wedding coordination by Sara Craig of Savoir Faire
Photography by Jessica Riescher Photography.
