The backyard wedding

Pro tips on transforming your backyard 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.

Following COVID-19 restrictions, your guest list is probably significantly smaller than originally planned, but 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. “People really feel like they’re coming for an intimate dinner party where all of their needs have been carefully considered, and it’s a lot less of a huge production than going to an event and being around hundreds of people,” she said.

“When you’re having an outdoor wedding at home, you’re starting from scratch,” she said. “You can spice up the grounds, like adding extra landscaping or a custom arbor that can stay on-site after the event.”

Reavey added that for a wedding last summer she ordered custom monogrammed napkins, which wouldn’t have been possible for the couple’s originally planned 300 person event, but was doable for 30 guests. She also had the monogram made into customized masks to encourage people to be safe and be mindful of distancing and wearing masks.

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 and plan for social distancing throughout the event.

If you have enough 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 after-party. “Fire pits can be a great option for the end of the night if people might want a quiet place to sit and chat,” said Reavey.

Adding lighting from multitudes of candles to pathway lights is also an easy way to transform your space. “To make it really special, lighting is critical,” said Marina Birch, principal at Birch Design Studio in Chicago, whose boutique firm has been recognized on a national scale for producing inspired, bespoke events.

“When people think about decor, they usually think about flowers or whatever is going on the tables, but I think that the best bang for your buck is to bring in some lighting,” she said.

Birch also suggests putting down a floor in places like the cocktail area, under the dinner tables, or the aisle — if there’s going to be a formal aisle. “We always recommend floor aspects for an outdoor wedding,” she said. “Grass can hold water for a few days, so if it rained two days before, the yard could become muddy.”

She also recommends heel protectors that not only protect your guests’ heels and your grass, but also prevent people from sinking into the lawn. 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.

DEFINE THE SPACE

Plow & Hearth’s hardwood plank roll-out pathway helps to define the space and keeps guests’ shoes clean and dry. $67.95 for an 8-foot section, amazon.com

PROTECT HEELS (AND GRASS)

GoGo Heel’s Stoppers keep guests in high heels from sinking into grass, gravel or other uneven surfaces. $9.99 amazo

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LIGHTING IS KEY

Solpex’s solar-powered LED lights illuminate pathways with vivid snowflake like patterns of light and shadow. $26.99, wayfair.com. Used alone or in a group, Ikea’s clear glass Pomp candleholders add a chic touch to the event and are tall enough to keep candles lit if it gets windy. $4.99, ikea.com

MAKE AN ENTRANCE

An arbor can work as a welcoming entrance to the venue, or as a focal point for the ceremony. Vita Sierra arbor, $178.42, homedepot.com

HAVE AN AFTER-PARTY

As the sun sets and guests transition to the next phase of the celebration, create ambiance with the glow of a fire pit.

Colis concrete wood-burning fire pit, $329.99, wayfair.com