Ok, so I have been thinking, it would be the cheapiest and easiest thing to do. To have the reception in my parents backyard. They have a huge backyard, and my mom always is working on her gardens and making it look nice. And we have sooo much more flexability with what ever we want to do. And we can make it look really really nice.
FH is against the idea, b/c he thinks it is like a well i don't know how to put it....trashy... I guess....
But I like the idea and think it would be better than paying $12,000 for a hall that would last 5 hrs. We can have a party that would last as long as ne one wanted. (My parents neighbors are awesome and don't care about the music and stuff)
Is it tacky or a good idea? Ne suggestions? Input? Ne thing?
MikesBride2B
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Re: Backyard Wedding Reception
I don't think its tacky...but you'd have to rent a tent...and bring in an outside caterer...also rent tables and chairs, linens, flatware, plates, glasses...it could all add up very quickly.
NY031978
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Re: Backyard Wedding Reception
well I know how much you love my 2 cents HAHA....but having a wedding at home will be alot of wk! Hell having a BBQ at home is alot. You have to have enough food and drinks to cover the whole night...and what would you do a buffet? ppl may want to go up more than once...so I would worry that we would run low there. What about bathrooms? having a 100 ppl using 1 bathroom can cause issues as well. What about parking....where do they all go? I dont think you will save tons of $$ in the long run....caterers,chairs,tents,baretender....it all adds up and b4 you know it you could of had it out and not worried about set up/take down
mrsdraskin2009
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Re: Backyard Wedding Reception
Posted by MikesBride2B
I don't think its tacky...but you'd have to rent a tent...and bring in an outside caterer...also rent tables and chairs, linens, flatware, plates, glasses...it could all add up very quickly.
Absolutely! My friend wanted to do this the rentals totaled MORE than a hall alone.
christine2010
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Re: Backyard Wedding Reception
my dad was all about this idea, the wedding would of been at my parents house upstate, NY, until i had him start doing research. it would of cost more money with all the rentals that we would have needed.
rockysmom23
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Re: Backyard Wedding Reception
well, if it was in the backyard, I could cut my guest list even more b/c i am not trying to meet a min. And the table chairs and tent isn't the problem, we have those. The linens I was making myself ne ways, and I would have a caterer do a Hawian Luau, then order some heros and salads for later in the night. It would probably start at 4 or 5:00pm.
We have held huge parties at their house b4. And my brother will be getting the photg and dj for us, so that is an expense I dont have to worry about.
And I have 7 brothers and sisters who will help set up (the topic has been discussed b4).
Thats y I know it wouldn't be that expensive.
springsandra
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Re: Backyard Wedding Reception
Our friends who are getting married in October are doing a backyard reception. Their ceremony is at a beautiful famous park in the area and they really want to try to do their wedding for under $5k.
We've gotten several estimates so far and I've collected tons of decorating ideas. We're still nervous about the weather, but think it can be really beautiful. They're very natural people and going with an enchanted forest sort of theme, which works well with their space. They also have a concrete deck out back that works well for a dance floor.
Logistically, you can rent everything you need, but it is a lot of planning and work. Where you will end up saving money is in the way you handle the catering and the alcohol.
Before you get started, call your local police precinct and find out if they have rules about whether a party of a certain size is ok in someone's backyard, and what sort of curfew laws there are if any. If you're going to have 100+ people, also think about where they are going to park.
My father and step-mom had their 1 year anniversary / vow renewals party in their home (back yard and basement) and it went very well, but it was definitely a more casual affair than a regular LI wedding. It was a lot of fun, though. If you're more the types to enjoy yourselves no matter where it is, I think you could have a really personal experience with a backyard wedding. It isn't going to be cheap, but completely custom.
rdubs
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Re: Backyard Wedding Reception
Posted by rockysmom23
well, if it was in the backyard, I could cut my guest list even more b/c i am not trying to meet a min. And the table chairs and tent isn't the problem, we have those. The linens I was making myself ne ways, and I would have a caterer do a Hawian Luau, then order some heros and salads for later in the night. It would probably start at 4 or 5:00pm.
We have held huge parties at their house b4. And my brother will be getting the photg and dj for us, so that is an expense I dont have to worry about.
And I have 7 brothers and sisters who will help set up (the topic has been discussed b4).
Thats y I know it wouldn't be that expensive.
The minimum requirement should not really be a concern with hall--you would just need to find somewhere that you can negotiate your minimum. We negotiated our minimum much lower than our actual number expected....
How many people are you thinking you would have at your wedding in backyard? That will make the difference...if it is a small number, I say go for it!
FYI: Good friends of ours did this in their SIL's backyard in Huntington (FH went to this wedding before I knew him). Their wedding with the tent, port-a-potties, a lot of labor, and busing everyone from a nearby parking lot (couldn't park all those cars on the street) and everything else you can imagine ended up costing them approx. $85k. They didn't cut in many places and had lavish food and music but still, that is pricey for a backyard shin-dig.
One great positive of their wedding though was that they didn't have to end it at a certain hour!
Good luck!
Bee12
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Re: Backyard Wedding Reception
FM you
lucydin2009
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I don't think it's tacky at all, but I do think it is a lot of work and would highly recommend getting a DOC! This way you and your family can enjoy the day and not have to run around to make sure little things are taken care of.
rebekahlw164
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Re: Backyard Wedding Reception
I went to a backyard wedding over the summer for DH's cousin. I thought the whole thing was wonderful! They are very creative people and so it made everything very personal. I would add that it was a LOT of planning and work to get it all done. I would try to talk to someone who has done it or hire a coordinator just to make sure you don't forget anything. There are so many things to plan for! Their wedding was actually the day we were supposed to get that hurricane this summer so it was reallly nervewracking. They had to rearrange all the tents, tables, etc at the last minute just in case. Thankfully the weather held out just long enough! Food luck, just be sure to really think it through!
FutureJOC
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Re: Backyard Wedding Reception
That's not tacky at all! I think if you have a nice, spacious backyard to have it in I think that's absolutely adorable and more personal.
I say go for it!
FutureMcBride
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I think that you could have a beautiful backyard wedding. My sister's best friend did this and it was so nice. They got a huge tent, rented all the furniture, and even got those fancy outdoor bathrooms. I think that it's definitely a good idea and can be beautiful and classy.
