7 Ideas for a Backyard Wedding From Nicole and AJ’s Maine Wedding
Backyard weddings are always some of my favorite days as a destination wedding photographer. There’s something about all the intention put into planning that just sets the day apart and makes it feel really full of meaning that I can’t get enough of! If you’re dreaming of a day that’s simple and unhurried, where you get to follow all your own rules, keep reading to see tons of ideas for a backyard wedding.
The Best Ideas for a Backyard Wedding From Nicole and AJ’s DIY Wedding
One thing I love about backyard weddings? You get to do whatever you want. Tradition? Sure. Totally unique from anything you’ve seen? Love it!
When you get married in your backyard, on family land, or somewhere that you have free rein of… You get to get creative. And these backyard wedding ideas are ones you won’t want to miss:
Do a Custom Backyard Wedding Build-Out
Nicole and AJ’s parents built a barn and a custom dance floor for their backyard wedding, and I was obsessed. The checkered dance floor, disco ball-covered ceiling, and exposed wood made it feel more like a dream wedding venue straight out of Pinterest, and less like it was right at home.
Even if it’s a temporary build or pop-up, having some sort of structure is one of my favorite ideas for a backyard wedding! It adds some variety, plus gives you a good rain plan just in case you need it.
Get Creative With Your Table Setup
Your reception is where you get to let your creative side shine. I always tell my couples to think about what they really want from their reception and go from there. If it’s the dance party of your life, love that! Make sure to leave enough space for a huge dance floor, and incorporate fun lighting and disco balls. If it’s a family-style dinner, I always suggest long tables underneath string lights to give it that cozy, intimate feel.
Spread Out Your Backyard Wedding Reception
If you’re on land, use it! Whether that’s different stations (hellooo, ice cream bar and food trucks), a spread-out food and bar setup, or even a fire pit for people to sit out at, backyard weddings give you the unique opportunity to make things feel less crowded and flow more easily.
Nicole and AJ had a separate ceremony and reception spot, which made the day flow really smoothly. Sunset portraits happened further back in the field, and getting ready happened inside the house. When there isn’t an overlap between spaces, it makes transitions so easy and never awkward.
Get Ready in Your Childhood Bedroom
Where it’s applicable, I love to see people get ready in their childhood bedrooms. I mean, seeing you in your wedding dress that you’ve dreamed of since you were a little girl in that very room? It always has me crying behind the camera.
Include Your Pets in Your Backyard Wedding
If the question is including your pups on your wedding day, my answer is always yes. It’s their home too, so letting them be a part of it (in ways that are big or small) will always be so sweet.
Nicole and AJ brought their pup in for portraits, the ceremony, and even on the dance floor, and trust me, he was a fan favorite!
Decorate With Lots of Florals
I mean, as a destination wedding photographer, I don’t think there’s any such thing as too many flowers, especially if your ceremony is positioned in a wide-open field! I love statement florals in colors that pop against the fields, like Nicole and AJ’s pink and orange arrangements.
Include DIY Wedding Decor
There’s nothing like decor pieces handmade with meaning in a space that already means so much to you. Whether it’s party favors or centerpieces, including things that came from you is an extra special touch.
Nicole and AJ did a lot of this, and I’ll never be over how cute it turned out. The small touches of handwritten notes throughout the day really got me!
Who Should Choose a Backyard Wedding
A ton of people think that a backyard wedding = a super small, intimate wedding, but that doesn’t have to be the case! If that’s your vibe, it definitely does work, but Nicole and AJ are showing that you can still have a huge backyard wedding that feels like the party of your life.
If you’re reading this and already coming up with a ton of ideas for a backyard wedding… You might just be in the right spot. Here are the types of couples that I always see go for a backyard wedding:
The ones who care more about the feeling than they do performance or tradition
Couples who are into a backyard wedding usually want something simpler because they know that their wedding will be beautiful no matter what. When you’re starting your forever with the love of your life, that’s all that matters! You might want to save some money on a venue (because, yeah, they’re crazy-expensive) or just not make a huge fuss about things, and as a destination wedding photographer, I totally get it. Couples like this who don’t want a backyard wedding will sometimes go for an off-season wedding or a restaurant wedding, too.
Sentimental couples
If you two are the kinda people who love being at home, being around family, and incorporating things that are special to you… A backyard wedding is right up your alley. There’s so much meaning in this space already, and you’re adding even more by holding one of the most important days of your lives there.
People who want more freedom than what a traditional venue gives
You might not want all the rules that come with booking a venue, and I totally get it. Because when you want to hang out with your people longer than 10:00 pm, light real candles on the tables, and maybe even throw some confetti… You should get to! Venues can be slightly restrictive, so some couples opt for a backyard wedding just to ditch the rules.
More Tips for Planning a Backyard Wedding
Ideas for a backyard wedding are the fun part, but the execution and logistics? It’s a little different from a traditional wedding at a venue. Don’t worry, though. I’m here as your destination wedding photographer to help you get through every part that might feel a little tricky.
How to Plan Parking for a Backyard Wedding
Honestly, backyard weddings work a lot better when there’s a lot of land. I always suggest having a separate space for parking and to encourage your guests to carpool when possible to save space.
Have a Rain Plan
The one downfall of backyard weddings is that they don’t have a traditional rain plan like a venue does. My top tip? Rent a tent, because even if you don’t use it, the cost is so worth your peace of mind.
What Vendors to Book for a Backyard Wedding
Weddings at home take a few more vendors to get it just right. Since there are no all-inclusive packages here, it’s always good to hire a team that will bring your vision and all your ideas for a backyard wedding to life! Here’s my comprehensive list of every vendor that you should invest in for your backyard wedding:
A planner to help you coordinate all the little pieces
A photographer (hi!) to capture every moment
A DJ to keep the party going
A caterer who can work with your unique setup
Rentals for things like tables, chairs, and decor when needed
A florist who can bring your flower vision to life seamlessly
FAQs About a Backyard Wedding
Are backyard weddings cheaper?
Backyard weddings can definitely save you a few bucks on your wedding, depending on how you bring it to life!
Can you have a large backyard wedding?
Absolutely. I love a backyard wedding with over 150+ people! It’s always so fun and so laidback.
How should I decorate for a backyard wedding?
My top tip is to decorate your backyard wedding in a way that feels true to you. You can use my previously mentioned ideas for a backyard wedding or create something totally unique and new.
Do I need a permit or insurance for a backyard wedding?
This fully depends on the county you’re holding your wedding in. I always recommend reaching out to your local government early on in the planning to ask about any sort of rules, licenses, or permits you need!
Ashley Olafsson | Destination Wedding Photographer
If you’re someone who’s reading this and thinking that a backyard wedding might be right for you… I love you already, and I’d love to be there to document your day in a way that feels completely effortless to you. Reach out here and tell me about your vision, and we’ll chat about making it happen!
Xoxo, Ashley
