Making Your Backyard Wedding Memorable: 5 Important Steps to Take
Getting married in one's own garden has become a trend after several celebrities (most notably Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan) had backyard weddings. However, if you want to have this type of nuptials, you have to realise that planning it isn't a walk in the park. There are lots of challenges you have to face and, if you're not careful, you might end up with a dreadful marriage ceremony and a nightmarish reception.
But should you give up and have your nuptials in a traditional venue? Not really. After all, you can make your big day successful by taking these steps:
Set (and stick to) a budget
Weddings, no matter where you'll hold them, aren't exactly cheap since there are numerous things you must pay for. If you're based in New Zealand, for example, you have to get the services of wedding photographers in Auckland and hire other types of vendors. You also need to rent tables, chairs, portable bathrooms and perhaps even a generator or two. Of course, you have to buy your bridal gown and your groom's outfit and purchase invites and other kinds of stationery.
So, as early as possible, take a look at your finances and calculate how much you can afford. Once you have an exact figure, list down the things you'll have to buy or hire and determine how much you'll spend on each item. By taking these steps, you can enjoy your big day without getting knee-deep in debt.
Speak with your wedding officiant and local authorities
Some officiants can't perform marriage ceremonies outside their place of worship, so it's important to meet with your celebrant ASAP and ask if he can give you his blessing in your backyard. This way, if he says no, you'll have enough time to look for other options.
Aside from meeting with your officiant, you also need to ask your local authorities if you need to obtain city permits, schedule an inspection with your fire department or have your place checked by a professional electrician. Don't forget to ask about local noise ordinances — you might have to get a permit for your event or observe restrictions on noise levels.
Get your home ready for the event
Your backyard nuptials will definitely put your entire house in the spotlight. So, to avoid being embarrassed on your big day, check your place and determine if you need to fix anything. Once you've taken care of basic repairs or replacements, look for ways to brighten up your home and make it more attractive. Having your garden landscaped, having all your metal blacking so they all look uniformed and new, repainting your walls, hiring someone to clean your house inside and out — taking these steps can help you transform your property into a perfect venue for your special event.
Obtain the services of a professional photographer
Having a backyard wedding can put you in an “all in the family” type of mood. Since your big day will be held in your own home, you might suddenly decide to to DIY everything and involve all your relatives and friends in planning your nuptials. Having billboards might be an unique way to showcase your wedding in a grand method.
There's definitely nothing wrong with doing these, except when it comes to your wedding pictures. If you want to have clear, detailed and perfectly gorgeous snapshots of your special event, don't ask just anybody (e.g., your cousin or childhood best friend) to take them. Instead, get in touch with skilful and experienced wedding photographers in Auckland (or wherever you're located). By doing this, you'll have an expert who'll document your nuptials and capture the special moments that you'll share with your family and friends.
Acknowledge you can't do everything on your own
Yes, you can DIY your invites, cake, venue decorations and even bridal gown. However, don't go the do-it-yourself route on your actual wedding day; after all, you don't want to spend your special event pouring lemonade into glasses, serving food to your guests or cleaning up after spills.
Instead, get the help of wait staff who'll assist you in making things run smoothly. If you live in Pennsylvania, for example, call us here at DeMarco's. We specialise in professional event and party staffing and can provide you with waiters and waitresses who'll serve your food in an efficient and elegant way. We can also provide hostesses who'll direct your guests to their specific chairs or tables as well as bartenders who'll create refreshing cocktails for everyone. Outsourcing gardening to landscaper Mornington Peninsula can help with beautifying your backyard for the wedding.
Keep these tips in mind to organise a fun and totally unforgettable backyard wedding!
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