Weddings are expensive, and planning a big event with a tight budget can be overwhelming. However, you don’t need to break the bank to have a beautiful wedding day. An inexpensive backyard wedding may be the perfect solution for couples looking to save money while still having a meaningful and intimate celebration. Preparation is key for this, and it’s also essential to know the fundamentals of how you can save on your backyard wedding.
Ways You Can Have an Inexpensive Backyard Wedding
Weddings can cost as much as $29,000 on average. That’s a staggering amount for most people. But with careful planning and creativity, you can significantly reduce that cost by having your wedding in your backyard. Here are some tips on how you can have an inexpensive backyard wedding.
Plant Some Flowers
Planting flowers can be a cost-effective way to adorn your backyard wedding venue. Instead of overspending on florist arrangements, consider the beauty that nature can offer. With just a bit of early planning, you can have a blossoming garden ready for your special day. Start by choosing flowers that are in season around your wedding date and that match your color scheme. This can add a personal touch to your wedding decor and make your backyard look stunning.
For an added advantage, consider using raised garden beds. The best raised garden bed is not only aesthetically pleasing, but they are also practical. They prevent soil compaction and can help prevent pests from ruining your plants. Raised garden beds are straightforward to maintain and can encourage a healthier growth of flowers, making your wedding backdrop even more enchanting. Remember, the key to a beautiful garden is regular watering and care. Keep this in mind, and you will find that your inexpensive backyard wedding can be as beautiful, if not more so, than a lavish, expensive venue. It’s all about leveraging the beauty and resources that your backyard has to offer.
One of the best ways to have the best decorations for your inexpensive backyard wedding is by utilizing the natural beauty of your backyard. Planting flowers and using raised garden beds can significantly reduce your wedding costs while adding a personal touch to your special day. With these tips, you can have a stunning backyard wedding without breaking the bank. Enjoy the process of planning and creating an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. After all, it’s not about how much you spend but the memories you make together.
Power Wash Your House
Power washing is an effective way to maintain the exterior of your home, including the yard area where you’re planning your inexpensive backyard wedding. This cleaning process removes unwanted substances from your home. One significant advantage of power washing is its ability to transform the appearance of your property in a short amount of time. This can be particularly beneficial in preparation for a backyard wedding, as it helps create a clean, fresh environment, ensuring your wedding photos look as stunning as possible. In addition, power washing can also help to prevent repairs. By removing the harsh elements that can wear down your home over time, you’re prolonging the life of everything from your siding and driveway to your deck and patio. This can eventually save you from costly repairs in the future.
However, power washing is a skilled job that often requires professional expertise. The force of the water needs to be regulated based on the surface being cleaned to prevent any damage. Therefore, it’s recommended to employ power washing companies for this task. They possess the necessary equipment, knowledge, and experience to do the job safely and effectively.
Choose Your Menu
Deciding on a menu is crucial to planning an inexpensive backyard wedding. When choosing the food items, it’s essential to consider the preferences of your guests, the time of the event, and, importantly, your budget. A fantastic way to keep costs down while offering a memorable culinary experience is by incorporating a unique twist to simple, familiar dishes.
For instance, you could serve a sushi station. Sushi is a versatile option that suits various dietary preferences and is customizable to fit within different price ranges. Here’s where a fun fact about wasabi comes into play. Most sushi lovers would be surprised that most wasabi served outside Japan is not real. Real wasabi is expensive and has a more complex, less harsh taste than the cheaper, horseradish-based alternative typically used.
By educating your guests on the difference between real wasabi and its commonly used substitute, you’re offering them an exciting piece of food trivia and enhancing their dining experience. You could even take it further by offering both options, enabling your guests to taste and compare real wasabi vs fake. This serves as an interactive food experience that’s sure to be a talking point amongst your guests.
Update Your Roof
Another significant aspect to consider when planning an inexpensive backyard wedding is the condition of your home, particularly the roof, visible to all your guests. A dilapidated roof can detract from the overall aesthetic of your wedding. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure your roof is in top condition.
Many homeowners overlook the importance of the roof’s appearance, focusing only on its practical purpose. However, the roof can significantly impact the overall visual appeal of your home. Before your backyard wedding, you might want to consider inspecting your roof for any wear and tear or signs of aging. Hiring one of the best roofing companies for repairs can be a wise investment if you find any issues. Reputable roofing companies offer comprehensive services, from minor repairs to full roof replacements. They can help recommend the best action based on your roof’s condition, balancing aesthetics and function.
Nonetheless, keep in mind that roofing services can be an investment. The cost will depend on the extent of the work required, the roofing materials used, and the rates of the roofing company. Therefore, this aspect of your backyard wedding planning will need careful consideration and budgeting. However, the benefits of having a visually appealing, structurally sound roof for your backyard wedding far outweigh the costs, making this a valuable consideration for your special day.
Fix Your Gutters
Similar to the roof, the state of your gutters can significantly impact the look and feel of your backyard wedding. Gutters in disrepair can cause several issues, not just visually but also in functionality. Overflowing or leaky gutters can cause water to pool in undesirable areas of your backyard, which could potentially cause discomfort for your guests. Therefore, it’s essential to get your gutters inspected and fixed if necessary.
Hiring gutter repairs is prudent if you see any damage on your gutters. These professionals can thoroughly inspect, identify issues, and perform necessary repairs or replacements. They can also help clean out any debris accumulated over time, preventing blockages and promoting efficient water flow. Even though gutter repairs might seem like an additional cost, they can save you from potential water damage to your home and ensure a comfortable environment for your wedding guests.
Update Your Siding
An integral part of any home’s exterior, the siding contributes to the aesthetic appeal and protects the structure from elements. Hence, it’s crucial to have your siding in top-notch condition for your inexpensive backyard wedding. Peeling paint, holes, or cracks in the siding can detract from the overall charm of your wedding setup. Beyond aesthetics, the damaged siding could expose your house to weather-related damage, including water ingress that can lead to mold or rot.
Investing in a siding installation service can enhance your home’s visual appeal. Consider durable and weather-resistant materials, such as vinyl, fiber-cement, or aluminum. If your siding is in good shape but a little dirty, a thorough pressure wash can bring it back to life, presenting a clean and appealing backdrop for your wedding photos.
Repave Your Driveway
An often overlooked but significant aspect of your home’s exterior is the driveway. For an inexpensive backyard wedding, a well-maintained driveway can improve the aesthetic appeal and ensure your guests’ safety and convenience. A driveway riddled with potholes, cracks, or uneven patches could pose a tripping hazard and mar the overall impression of your setup.
Therefore, consider repaving your driveway. This task involves removing the existing surface, preparing the ground underneath, and then laying down a new surface. Depending on your budget and desired look, you can choose from various materials, such as concrete, asphalt, gravel, or pavers. The process of repaving a driveway is a complex task that involves heavy machinery and specialized skills. Therefore, hiring professional general contractors is recommended to ensure error-free execution. The professionals can assess the condition of your driveway and suggest an appropriate solution fitting your budget.
Clean Your Windows
The appearance of your home’s windows can significantly affect the ambiance of your wedding. Dirty or streaked windows can detract from the overall aesthetic, while clean, sparkling windows can enhance the atmosphere, making your home appear well-maintained and inviting.
Hiring a professional window cleaning service can ensure your windows are cleaned thoroughly and safely, especially if your home has multiple stories or hard-to-reach windows. These professionals use specialized equipment and cleaning solutions to remove dirt, grime, and streaks, leaving your windows crystal clear. Not only does this improve the look of your home, but it also allows more natural light to filter into it, creating a bright and cheerful ambiance. Furthermore, a professional window cleaning service can identify any issues with your windows, such as cracks, damaged seals, or rot, which you can address before your wedding. This ensures that your home is in top shape for your big day.
Prepare Entertainment for Young Guests
Entertaining young guests at a wedding can often be challenging. Consider setting up a trampoline climbing wall to keep them engaged throughout the event. It’s a unique and thrilling activity combining two fun-filled outdoor activities. This type of climbing wall is a trampoline with an attached vertical climbing wall. The participants can jump on the trampoline and try climbing an adjoining wall, offering an exciting and physically engaging activity. The trampoline’s springiness adds a layer of challenge and fun to the climbing experience, and the soft bouncing surface provides a safe landing area for climbers.
Before setting up such a structure, ensure ample space to accommodate it without obstructing walking paths or seating areas. You should also consider safety measures, such as installing a safety net around the trampoline and ensuring the climbing wall has proper hand and foot holds. It’s advisable to have an adult supervise the activity to prevent any accidents. In addition to keeping young guests entertained, this entertainment can make your wedding memorable, as it’s not an everyday feature at such events. It adds a fun and playful element to your wedding, showing your guests that everyone’s enjoyment is a priority on your special day.
Look to Popular Venues for Inspiration
Drawing inspiration from popular venues specializing in this theme is helpful when planning a wedding. Whether it’s a quaint barn against a backdrop of rolling hills, a charming old farmhouse filled with history, or a cozy cabin surrounded by a lush forest, rustic venues are synonymous with natural beauty and a relaxed, down-to-earth atmosphere.
Rustic wedding venues often feature elements such as exposed wooden beams, distressed furniture, and vintage decor, blending charm and elegance effortlessly. Their settings, often amidst sprawling greenery, provide stunning photographic opportunities and an unforgettable ambiance for guests. For instance, consider the popular venue ‘The Barn at Flanagan Farm’ in Maine, known for its beautiful barn and surrounding woodland. Or ‘The Farm at Dover’ in Wisconsin, where you can say ‘I do’ under a canopy of century-old trees before retreating to a charming barn for the reception.
Planning an inexpensive backyard wedding requires the knowledge listed above and the flexibility to implement it. A backyard wedding provides the perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication, making them popular for couples looking to create an intimate, cozy atmosphere. Additionally, their natural surroundings often require minimal decoration, saving time and money. So consider a backyard wedding for a stress-free and budget-friendly option.