Congratulations, you’re engaged!

Now the fun of wedding planning begins. Planning a small wedding with your closest family and friends is a special way to truly celebrate love. An easy way to make your small wedding even more personal is by hosting it in a family member’s or your backyard.

There are countless possibilities when it comes to hosting a backyard wedding in the comfort of your own intimate space. With no venue cost, few rules and little design restrictions, you have the freedom to transform your yard into the wedding of your dreams.

 I put together a list of 20 backyard wedding ideas for any couple. Remember to send out save the dates that are consistent with your wedding theme, so guests can plan for and start the countdown to your big day.

1. Set the Stage

If your backyard is all grass, designate an area to let loose and dance the night away. A dance floor can help to define the space and even out the ground (especially for ladies in heels!).

2. Natural Ceremony Arch

Create this simple arbor with a few pieces of wood. Try adding on a flower arrangement that matches your wedding colors to create consistency throughout the venue. And have a door at the back of isle to have you entrance be that much more impact full.

3. Let Sparks Fly

 

Being in the comfort of your backyard means you can get away with things you wouldn’t at a typical venue. Have guests light their sparklers or lanterns and surround the couple at the end of the night for a stunning send off. Set up a table for guests to grab a sparkler and let them know when the send off starts.

4. Adore Your Wedding Cake

For a rustic or natural theme, display your cake on a wooden cake holder. Decorate with flowers and a wooden sign.

5. Entertain with Games

Allow guests and little ones the fun of playing wedding games like corn hole or giant connect four. It gives people an opportunity to interact with others they might not know well.

 

6. Rent a Tent

Rent a tent for your wedding for your reception or ceremony area makes any area look beautiful. Plus it help keep you guest out of the sun and if it rains everyone will stay dry inside. Having a white tent is great for pictures and it will look nice with whatever color theme you have.

 

7. Vintage Car

Take it back old school with a vintage delivery car. The happy couple can begin their life together by riding out after the reception.

8. Popcorn And Candy Station

 

Have some fun and set up a flavored popcorn station. Guests can help themselves and fill up their box whenever they please throughout the night.

9. Twinkle Light Garland

String a canopy of lights throughout the yard to add a romantic glow. Not only will it make for pretty pictures, but provide ambiance for when the sun goes down.

10. Geometric Floral Arrangements

Are you planning on bold colorful florals? The one nice thing about having a backyard wedding is that you can spend a little more on the decorations.

Another good wedding day investment is in your flower arrangements. Nothing says “high-end wedding” quite like real flowers. Real, live, thoughtfully arranged floral pieces take a wedding ceremony and reception to an entirely new level. While I love thoughtful DIY centerpieces, too, real florals are a breathtaking investment in your wedding day. When a bride and groom have real flowers in the bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces, it makes the wedding truly luxurious. There’s nothing quite like beautifully crafted arrangements with fresh blooms or leafy greens. Plus, if there’s a room flip, you can re-use the beautiful ceremony flowers as reception décor!

11. Hanging Ornaments

Glass succulent orbs add a classy touch. Hang them from a structure or even the trees in the backyard. You can even use clear Christmas ornaments.

12. S’more Lovin’

A classic and sweet backyard treat guests will love! Set up a s’mores station for people to help themselves. Carry the same theme throughout your other desserts.

13. Decorate the Sweetheart Table

Add a personal touch to the Mr. and Mrs. chairs. Try a custom sign or classy calligraphy to distinguish their seats from the rest.

14. Hanging Window Frames

Draw your guests’ eyes upward with pretty vintage window frames. Vary the heights of each and adorn the frames with colorful flowers, vines or even twinkling lights.

15. Add a Delicious Dessert Wall

Mix things up and add a fun design element to the otherwise classic dessert table. Besides, who doesn’t love donuts?

16. Serve Fun Cocktails

Seasonal cocktails add the perfect touch to any wedding. Use vintage, classy glassware. Guests can enjoy and refill their drinks all night long.

17. Rustic Hoop Decor

Take your favorite quote and turn it into an over sized hanging design. Make it the focal point of the ceremony or reception.

18. Get Some Draperies

Decorate your reception area with beautiful draperies. Getting some beautiful drapery can make anything cheep look like a 100 bucks and it really makes any space look really elegant.

19. Linens:

You might not realize it, but the linens used in your reception can really elevate the entire look of the wedding reception. If you take the opportunity to coordinate those linens with your wedding day color palette, it ties everything together in a simple and elegant way. Think about the layers of fabric involved in your table display: a base cloth, napkins, and a cloth overlay or runner. Uniting the entire wedding color theme with your linens gives a chic and stylish, completed look.

20. Chairs:

The right chairs can make a big difference in a wedding reception. I recommend upgrading your chairs and using Chiavari when given the option to do so. Whether gold, white or silver, the subtle touch of class added by having Chiavari chairs makes a heavy visual impact. The upholstery on ballroom chairs can look old and dated whereas the clean, elegant lines of the classy Chiavari chairs will look beautiful in your wedding photos! If Chiavari chairs aren’t an option, you might want to consider chair slipcovers for a rich, elegant look.

 

Backyard weddings are usually more laid-back and casual than other weddings, so why can’t the planning process be? Use this list of ideas to get started!

Whichever theme you decide on, be consistent with every idea and detail. Your breathtaking backyard wedding will be one that’s remembered for years to come.