BACKYARD WEDDING BELLS
Pro tips on transforming your home into a chic wedding venue
As the adage goes, “home is where the heart is,” and for couples who don’t want to postpone their big day any longer, looking to friends with backyards or transforming their own outdoor space into a chic wedding venue has become a great option.
With 50 people being the maximum for gatherings, chances are your new guest list is significantly smaller than originally planned. You can use that to your advantage, from a budget perspective, to make the event even more special than originally planned. An outdoor wedding also can help to ease stress for guests who have reservations about being in a group, no matter how small.
“Having a wedding at your home feels more relaxed for your guests in a lot of ways,” said Kate Reavey, president and owner of Chicago Vintage Weddings. “Maybe they are familiar with your home, but they get to see it in a different light.”
Aside from the all-important task of strategically trying to pick a rain-free day, there are other things to consider. Think about traffic flow. If you have space, designate different areas for various functions, like a table set up with a special mini cocktail for guests as they arrive, a focal point setting for the ceremony, or an area for a relaxing afterparty.
“When you’re later into the season, it’s really important to have heating elements when the sun has gone down,” said Reavey. “Fire pits can also be a great option for the end of the night if people might want a quiet place to sit and chat.”
If you are planning to do it yourself, or with a wedding planner, here are a few more ways to make your big day a success.