10 Common Challenges of Hosting a Backyard Wedding
When planning a wedding, many couples consider the option of hosting it in their own backyard. While this may seem like a convenient and budget-friendly option, backyard weddings come with their own set of challenges and potential issues. Here are some of the reasons why backyard weddings may not be the best decision for every couple.
Are Backyard Weddings More Expensive?
One of the biggest challenges of backyard weddings is the hidden costs. While it may seem like hosting a wedding at home would be less costly, once you factor in all the rentals, equipment, and services required to make it happen, it can quickly add up.
The cost of renting tents, tables, chairs, and lighting can be expensive, especially for weddings with a higher guest count. Additional costs for catering, restrooms, and cleanup can quickly escalate, leading to unexpected expenses and more stress.
Example of a Backyard Wedding Budget Breakdown
Tent rental: $2,500
Tables and chairs rental: $1,000
Lighting and decor: $1,500
Restroom rental: $1,000
Catering: $5,000
Beverage service: $1,500
Wedding favors: $500
Entertainment: $2,000
Cleanup and waste management: $1,500
Permits and legal requirements: $500
Total cost: $17,000
The Trouble with Trash
Though this may seem like a small issue, managing waste can be a challenging task when hosting a wedding at home. With so many guests, there is a significant amount of waste that needs to be managed, including food, plastic, and paper waste.
On average, a typical wedding can produce a few hundred pounds of waste that could cost hundreds of dollars to properly dispose of. While backyard weddings may seem to save money, it’s easy to see how the additional costs can begin to add up.
The Potty Problem
Another challenge that is rarely considered when planning a backyard wedding is the potty problem. Depending on the guest count, backyard weddings could require the rental of portable restrooms for guests, which can be challenging and costly to manage.
It is an obvious essential that is often overlooked. Having enough restrooms ensures proper sanitation and cleanliness, not to mention the comfort of guests. This problem could also lead to additional costs for maintenance, servicing, and cleaning after the ceremony.
The Crowded Space Dilemma
Backyards may not provide enough space to accommodate all the guests, vendors, and equipment required for a wedding. This could result in a cramped and uncomfortable setting, compromising the intimacy and atmosphere of the wedding. Additionally, parking and transportation may become a challenge with limited space available.
The Vendor Vacancy
When hosting a wedding at home, couples cannot access established relationships with vendors that most venues offer. This could lead to missed opportunities for better deals, coordination services, and overall wedding experience.
The reputable vendors that venues suggest ensure stress-free and memorable wedding experiences that backyard weddings just can’t offer. If you choose to find your own, do your research on every vendor. Check reviews, prices, and offers to do what you can to mitigate the risk of spending money on a low-quality vendor.
The Property Plight
Backyard weddings have the potential to damage the property, lawn, garden, and/or landscaping. It's important to understand the potential costs of these damages and take precautions to minimize the risk.
Solutions such as roping off certain areas, limiting access to certain parts of the property, and choosing equipment that is designed to be used on residential lawns could solve the problem but also lead to more responsibilities and stress on the day of the ceremony.
The Legal Headaches
Depending on where you live, hosting a wedding in your backyard may require obtaining permits and adhering to specific regulations and guidelines, which could be time-consuming and expensive. It's crucial to research and understand the legal requirements before deciding to host a backyard wedding.
In addition to permits and guidelines, there is also a liability concern. When hosting a backyard wedding, the property owner is liable for any and all injuries that occur on the property. This adds yet another layer of risk and stress that backyard weddings cause.
The Noise Nuisance
Another challenge to be considered is that backyard weddings are likely to be subject to neighborhood noise. Neighborhood noise could be barking dogs, busy streets, emergency vehicles, high foot traffic, loud music, or noisy neighbors and may disrupt the ceremony and reception.
In addition to disruptions to your ceremony, most backyards have local noise restrictions that limit the level of noise permitted at certain hours. You may be held responsible for any infractions or complaints leading to more stress and costs.
Check out Austin’s Noise Ordinance for more information.
The Privacy Predicament
Traditional wedding venues offer a level of privacy that a backyard wedding may not be able to provide. When considering a backyard wedding, consider the potential for any passersby, neighbors, or strangers hearing or seeing the wedding.
There is also the concern of uninvited guests showing up to your ceremony. It may be best to consider taking security precautions to prevent any unwanted guests from interrupting your special day.
The Parking Pickle
A backyard wedding also has one more important challenge that cannot be forgotten. Parking. Most neighborhoods do not offer sufficient parking for all guests. This is not a concern that should be taken lightly as parking issues can cause major inconveniences that could even include legal violations.
”We thought we could save money by hosting our own wedding and that was the furthest thing from the truth,” said Carrie Felton, CEO of Felton Ranch. “Water and electricity were the largest costs. We spent $6,000 on that alone. Not to mention restrooms and a tent rental, all of which tore up our land and took months to repair. My one regret is that I wish I had an experienced person to tell me the truth about all the hidden costs before I started. I would have made different choices.”
While backyard weddings may seem like a convenient and budget-friendly option, they come with their own set of challenges and potential issues. Couples should weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding to host their wedding at home. Choosing a dedicated venue like Felton Ranch can provide a stress-free and memorable wedding experience with top-quality vendors, ample space, and amenities, ensuring that the couple and guests have a comfortable and intimate setting for their special day. By considering all aspects of a wedding and planning accordingly, couples can make the best decision for their needs and have a memorable wedding day.