backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

itslaurie. Posted: Jul 28, 2005 11:33 AM

backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

i am not sure how many other brides have taken on the seemingly impossible backyard wedding project, anyone?

we are in the beginning stages of planning our wedding (which started out as an elopement). just wanted to check in and see what you may have planned.

rentals, caterer, decor, etc...? renting china or going with paper?

discuss with me. i dont feel like doing work.

esb980 Posted: Jul 28, 2005 12:47 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

I'm not doing a backyard wedding, but my cousin just had one. She had the ceremony at the church and the reception in her mother backyard. It was really nice, they had it catered by some Italian place in Smithtown, but they also had bbq type foods. She had a dance floor built and it rained so she had tents. The only things I really didn't like (that she did) was that she had porta potties outside and she took off her dress half way through the wedding and just put on a hat that said 'bride'. If she didn't do those two things I think it would have been nicer, but she was happy, so to each his own!

esb980 Posted: Jul 28, 2005 12:48 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

Oh yeah, and she had paper plates, I definitely would rent china. The plates weren't sturdy enough to hold the food, and that was annoying.

kellwolfe Posted: Jul 28, 2005 12:54 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

I dont know where you live but if you go to bella vita city grill in st.james - they will give you all the tables and chairs - do all the food - glass dishes wait staff bartenders and tents ask for Anthony he is the owner - the food is AWESOME and he will make sure that your day is perfect! I have been working for him for over a year and 1/2 if you have any questions FM -me

itslaurie. Posted: Jul 28, 2005 12:57 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

Posted by esb980

(that she did) was that she had porta potties outside and she took off her dress half way through the wedding and just put on a hat that said 'bride'.

just a hat! sounds like a fun wedding! ha.

my mom claims some one she knows attended a backyard reception where they used these paper plates that 'you would never know the difference, and they were sooooooo nice'. im skeptical.

esb980 Posted: Jul 28, 2005 01:03 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

I would check them out, I mean it can't hurt, but china is more elegant, and the last thing you want is people spilling food all over themselves!!

itslaurie. Posted: Jul 28, 2005 01:05 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

Posted by kellwolfe

I dont know where you live but if you go to bella vita city grill in st.james - they will give you all the tables and chairs - do all the food - glass dishes wait staff bartenders and tents ask for Anthony he is the owner - the food is AWESOME and he will make sure that your day is perfect! I have been working for him for over a year and 1/2 if you have any questions FM -me

thanks so much for the referral!

itslaurie. Posted: Jul 28, 2005 01:07 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

we kinda of have our minds set on white square place settings from party rental ltd. their website is great.

idovig Posted: Jul 28, 2005 01:20 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

I am doing a backyard wedding! It's not that difficult once you know where to look. I will FM you later because I am at work so i don't have all the names and stuff but FM if you would like. I will answer any questions you would like.

Veronica

itslaurie. Posted: Jul 28, 2005 01:34 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

Posted by idovig

I will answer any questions you would like.

Veronica

you may regret that offer! ha. thanks so much.

fun, another backyarder! i made my first official wedding decision and booked a coordinator. i feel fancy. we (my fh and i) both have tons of ideas of what we want and what we dont want - but we are the worst decision makers ever. deciding what to have for dinner is a daily ordeal.

LovelyChas Posted: Jul 28, 2005 02:29 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

Hi....for those having a backyard wedding....may I ask 2 questions....1) are you having it on your own backyard? 2) what is the total price range that its costing you to do this?

Thank you for any information

itslaurie. Posted: Jul 28, 2005 03:53 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

Posted by LovelyChas

Hi....for those having a backyard wedding....may I ask 2 questions....1) are you having it on your own backyard? 2) what is the total price range that its costing you to do this?

Thank you for any information

1) my sisters yard. its landscaped well, and quite spacious.

2) my budget is 15k. you could really adapt a backyard wedding to any budget. ive been to 2k and 100k backyard weddings. both were fabulous. you just have to prioritize, and be flexible.

LovelyChas Posted: Jul 28, 2005 04:03 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

Posted by itslaurie.

Posted by LovelyChas

Hi....for those having a backyard wedding....may I ask 2 questions....1) are you having it on your own backyard? 2) what is the total price range that its costing you to do this?

Thank you for any information

1) my sisters yard. its landscaped well, and quite spacious.

2) my budget is 15k. you could really adapt a backyard wedding to any budget. ive been to 2k and 100k backyard weddings. both were fabulous. you just have to prioritize, and be flexible.

Thank you....I was thinking about having it in my own backyard but everyone told me that with tents, tables, chairs, linens & china it was going to cost me more than having it at a catering hall. But now I'm going to research it more.

idovig Posted: Jul 28, 2005 05:37 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

my wedding is in my FH mother's house. And our total wedding is coming out too $6500

itslaurie. Posted: Jul 28, 2005 06:27 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

Posted by LovelyChas

Thank you....I was thinking about having it in my own backyard but everyone told me that with tents, tables, chairs, linens & china it was going to cost me more than having it at a catering hall. But now I'm going to research it more.

how many people are you planning on inviting?

LovelyChas Posted: Jul 28, 2005 10:18 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

how many people are you planning on inviting?

I have a list of 180 people but I think I can cut it to 150...is that impossible?

itslaurie. Posted: Jul 29, 2005 09:26 AM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

Posted by LovelyChas

I have a list of 180 people but I think I can cut it to 150...is that impossible?

no, challenging.....but definitely not impossible.
the first thing you should work on is the food. you could go with a cocktail reception with passing hors d'oeuvres - would bring your per person price down considerably. other wise i would check with your favorite local restaurants rather than a full service caterer. you might find it is more cost effective. if you and you fh are willing to DIY the decor, you can pull it off. what is your budget?

M&S Sept12006 Posted: Jul 29, 2005 01:03 PM

Re: backyard ceremony and/or reception brides...

You know I wanted to do that at the beginning since we're having a small wedding (about 75 guests) but as soon as I started researching and adding things up it came out to WAYYYY MORE than what I am going to pay in a hall...but maybe I didnt do enough research...I think a backyard wedding is a lot more than having it in a hall...but GOOD LUCK!