There’s something about having a wedding on your own property that can be really special and unique. But, don’t assume that any old backyard will do. If you’re planning to have a backyard wedding, I hope you’ll get a few ideas from the following story about a wedding that our Ventura County DJs were hired to perform for Susan and Thad’s big day in Ojai California in mid-August.
A few tips for pulling off a successful Backyard Wedding:
1. Have the catering done professionally.
Our clients used Green Acres Catering in Simi Valley, CA and had a variety of gorgeous fruit and cheese trays beautifully displayed on the back porch as well as passed appetizers during the cocktail hour. The main buffet line was set-up under very nice tents on the driveway, BBQ style, and the caterer even grilled the food on-site! It smelled and tasted wonderful.
2. Hire a Professional Mobile Bar or Bartenders.
Catered Cocktails of Ventura were hired to provide Bar service, and they did a great job. The family didn’t have to tend to any food or drinks all night, and the beverage cleanup was done by the professionals as well!
3. Make the Ceremony Unique and Sentimental
The couple asked their friend Sonya Shelton, founder of “Being Present To Win” to officiate their wedding ceremony. Sonya is a leadership and spiritual guide as well as an ordained, non-traditional minister. She incorporated Buddhist traditions in this truly beautiful ceremony.
The Ceremony was held under an enormous Oak Tree, which the family decorated with hanging paper lanterns that lit up with LED solar lights. When the sun set, the tree looked as though it were filled with tiny stars, like something you would see at Disney World, it was very impressive.
And finally, the Bride and Groom had a special reading to one another, and Susan read the short children’s book “The Giving Tree” aloud to Thad. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place, including my own.
4. Dress up the tables with a little color and flare.
The family used gorgeous, yet simple floral arrangements as well as and candles and some simple table favors placed throughout the reception and ceremony areas. The tables were spaced well throughout much of the backyard, and no one had a bad seat.
5. Do something totally unique
This groom loved cigars, and the Bride surprised him with an on-site Professional Cigar Roller, who rolled beautiful, aromatic cigars for any of the guests that wanted them. I found this to be a very unique idea that this Groom and all the guests truly loved.
6. Hire Professional Entertainment
As the Los Angeles DJs for this event, we worked closely with the Bride and Groom on music selection to make their day unique, as well as lots of fun for all in attendance. When the dancing got going, I was able to pack the floor with friends and family with no trouble at all. Not to mention, as MC, I kept the party running smoothly along with the help of the coordinator, a close friend of the Bride. Our DJs work lots of private estate and backyard weddings, so please let us know if you’re having one, we’d love to provide the entertainment.
Thad and Susan chose to have a Backyard Wedding at the Bride’s parents home, for a variety of reasons, and the bride’s family probably chose to save money on renting a wedding facility and instead were able to doll up and re-landscape their backyard. This was a permanent fix, meant for a 1 day affair. A true win-win situation. Consider how much money you could save on renting a facility when you could pour that money back into your own property. Remember, if you re-landscape or install features in your yard, try to make it tasteful for all occasions. Don’t just buy something that’s only appropriate for the wedding day. And finally, if you hire a professional photographer you’ll get great shots of the event and you won’t have to ask a relative to lug a camera around all night. These newlyweds hired Kristine Ellison Photography and Art for their special day.
Even if you don’t have the luxury of mature trees and landscaping, as long as you have a good sized yard with privacy and intimacy, you can pull off a great backyard wedding. Ask friends and family for some help and hire professionals for the major aspects of the event. You’ll be glad you did it, and you’ll always have the cherished memory of having a Wedding on your family’s property.
More Backyard Wedding Tips Here