Now, don't get me wrong... I love a big ballroom reception. A chic hotel event. A wedding held in a historical venue. However, there is nothing that compares to an elegant, timeless and intimate wedding thrown at the couple's home or at the home of a loved one. Now, most of us do not live in a mansion so envisioning 75 people cozy inside of your home might be difficult... but how about the back yard? Is there adequate space in your back yard for this number?
There are a lot of factors to consider with planning a back yard reception... and a lot of details to cover. The most wonderful thing about having the reception in your home... besides not having a venue site fee, is that you have the ability to control the details. Before we get into all of the fun decor details that you can control, lets discuss a detail you can not control... the weather.
Photo: Weddings Unveiled
Now, being a Chicago gal... I can tell you like I always tell my brides... you can not control the weather! I laugh when I have a bride who says, I have to get married in June because I want beautiful outdoor pictures. Well, as a June Chicago bride... let me tell you, we've had tornadoes the last two years on our anniversary! :) And last year we wore tee shirts to the pumpkin farm.
But in Chicago, typically there are better months than others to plan for an outdoor wedding. End of May, June, early or late July, August and September are pretty safe. Notice I left out early to mid May because of rain and mid July because of intense heat and humidity.
You can always rent a tent, which will protect guests from light to mild rainfall... just no promises for one of those tornadoes.
Plan out and map out your space. It is not necessary to have a completely separate space for ceremony and reception if you absolutely can not swing it. Just create the space by combining the two. Start by separating your tables into two sections, creating an aisle down the middle. Make sure you create a focal point to act as an altar so your groom knows where to meet you and your guests know where to draw their attention. In green grass I love heavy layering of rose petals lined with floating candles.
Photo: Vibrant Bride
When possible, use long tables for guest tables, creating elegance and sophistication. This also adds to the intimacy in a grand way... by allowing guests to be seated at the same table, the same way they would be at the family dining table.
Photo: Simply Sophisticated
I want to point out two very important details of the above pictures. The first is I love mixing rustic with elegant features, such as hanging crystal chandeliers outdoors. You can rent these from any major event rental company. They do have a heavier price tag, but perhaps with savings from other places... this price tag can be justified. The second detail that is equally, if not more important is the rental of high quality chairs. With having your wedding outdoors in the back yard, you need to lend sophistication where it can be incorporated to give an elegant touch to your wedding. White aluminum folding chairs will simply not do.
Create a special area for your "head table" or "honor table". Adorn the table with elegant flowers, use crystal curtains as a backdrop, be creative, but make it special. Who know an old worn picnic table could look so good?
Photo: huppahs blog
With the dollars you are saving on venue fees and catering and bar (we'll get to that), focus more time, energy and a few dollars to the little details that will be unique and make your wedding really special. No need for fancy place cards, but don't leave table placement completely up to guests... create a vintage seating chart. I adore the use of old glass windows with table numbers and guests names listed. It's elegant and sophisticated. This style can be dressed up (think script font or calligraphy with crystal draping and flowers around) or dressed down (think worn rustic with woodsy branches). Guest book tables made from vintage dressers or vanities are my favorite. Dress up a pretty vanity with flowers and hand made guest book cards or vintage post cards for guests to fill out and pair with a rustic wooden sign like below and you've got the perfect combination.
Photos: Project Wedding
Now let's get into your biggest savings... food and drink. Although you will save the most by having someone in the family cook... I would not recommend this. Hire a catering company. The wedding, while it is called the "brides day" really is for everyone... no one should be stuck in the kitchen. Many catering companies offer a buffet style menu at a fraction of the cost of a formal banquet hall. Additionally, they will supply all of the warming dishes needed to keep food at the correct temperature. Create a special place for your buffet to be set up so guests can locate it easily and it will be dressed up for your event too! Another important detail... never, ever use paper plates. Rent china from a party rental or at the very least, use clear acrylic and faux silverware if budget is getting tight.
Photo: Google Images
I love the creativity you can have when you are outside a formal setting with food. Think stations. Below is a macaroni and cheese station with ALL the trimmings... guests can customize their macaroni to suit their individual comfort. I love mash-tini bars for the same reason. It's a flirty and fun way to serve your wedding food and will definitely be loved and remembered. And think... pasta and potatoes are cheap!!
Photo: Ryan Estes Photography
Now let's talk drinks. My personal suggestion would be to serve beer and wine (in bottles, please) in large ice tubs so guests can help themselves and create about 3-5 signature pre-made drinks in beautiful apothecary jars, again where guests can help themselves. Make sure to serve water as well. Fancy up your water by making cucumber melon water, strawberry basil water or simply adding lemons. Create a down home feel to your drink station as well by having ball mason jars for your glasses (cut costs too) and pretty them with ribbons or personalized flagged straws like below.
Photo: Google Images
Photo: Sugar Plum Invitations
If you really want a fancy touch to your back yard reception create a champagne bar. Provide a good, inexpensive champagne in large ice tubs with mixers to add. Peach puree, orange juice, raspberry liquor, etc. I love how beautiful and creative you can get. Just make sure to use pretty bottles for the mixers. There's nothing fancy about a bottle of Minute Maid.
Photo: Green Wedding Shoes
As with all events or weddings careful consideration to the details is key. Make sure you invite your neighbors so no one complains about noise and do not park 200 cars on your street without a permit or notifying the fire department. Think intimate and outside of the ballroom, and you can have a gorgeous wedding for under $10k, possibly less than $5k.
No comments:
Post a Comment