How to Plan A Backyard Wedding In 2026: Checklist, Budget, & Decor Ideas Backyard weddings are perfect for couples who want a more intimate and laid back wedding style but still want to celebrate with their family and friends. While elopements and courthouse weddings have been popular lately, they don’t work for couples who want to invite guests. Using your own backyard to host your loved ones can save you money without sacrificing the joy of sharing your big moment. Backyard Wedding Checklist: Everything You’ll Need to Consider A backyard wedding is perfect for couples who are great at time management, have family and friends to borrow from, and love to be hands-on. As you plan, try to focus on what you can borrow and do yourself. Prioritize the parts of the wedding that mean the most to you, whether that’s food, dancing, or a beautiful ceremony. Feel free to break away from tradition to save yourself stress and money. Use our backyard wedding checklist to help you keep track of the important details. 1) Backyard Wedding Table & Chair Rentals You’ll need plenty of tables and chairs if you’re doing a backyard wedding reception. You can rent everything you need from your local event rental shop. Save even more money by borrowing tables and chairs from friends, family, or your local church. You can get fancier with wood tables and matching chairs, or keep it casual with folding chairs and banquet tables for guests. Go for a boho mismatched look if you’re borrowing a variety of tables and chairs from multiple people. 2) Plan For A Wedding Bar & Drink Station Setup Did you know you can hire a bar and bartender for your wedding? Look into mobile bar services if you have the money in your budget. If not, set up your own bar with coolers, beverage dispensers, a keg, signature cocktail mixes, and reusable cups or glassware. Have a friend play bartender for the night or set up a self-serve pre-stocked bar cart. 3) Consider Weatherproofing Your Backyard Wedding: Tent Rentals You probably have a pretty good understanding of your local weather patterns so keep them in mind as you plan your backyard wedding. Consider renting an event tent if you think there’s any chance of inclement weather. Tents will protect guests from sun, wind, or rain. They’re available in a bunch of different styles and sizes based on your needs and aesthetic. You can order tents with or without sidewalls or with clear panels for wind and temperature control. 4) Portable Restroom Rentals for Bigger Backyard Weddings If you’re having a larger wedding: porta-potties will make life much more convenient for your wedding guests. You can rent standard porta-potties for a reasonable price or luxury portable restrooms if you have a little extra room in the budget. Keep it classy by stocking your potties with extra paper products, hand sanitizer, and mints. 5) Backyard Wedding Table Settings & Place Settings Hand-Dyed Cheesecloth Table Runner If you’re serving food at your wedding you’ll need plates, flatware, and glassware—either rented or compostable for easy cleanup. You may also need chargers, napkins, and table runners if you want to style your tables. Check Facebook Marketplace, your local thrift store, or event rental companies for affordable table setting supplies. 6) Plan For A Portable Dance Floor Or Reception Space Your guests will probably want to dance after dinner but that might be difficult in the grass or dirt. Rent a portable dance floor or designate a solid patio space for dancing. Add lighting or disco lights for extra fun! 7) Think About Backyard Wedding Decor: Signage Ideas Flower Box Wedding Welcome Sign Signage is important at any wedding, but especially at a non-traditional wedding venue. Help your guests find the wedding, the bathroom, the bar, their seats, and more with custom wedding signage. Not only is signage helpful, but it adds a lot to your decor. Add candles, lanterns, and seasonal florals to fill in the blanks. Having plenty of wedding decor will help transform your backyard into your dream wedding venue. 8) Have A Plan For Parking & Guest Arrival (& Communicate It) Parking is one of the trickiest parts of having a backyard wedding. Keep your neighbors and your guests in mind as you plan. Be considerate--talk to your neighbors if you’ll be having cars parked on the street near their houses. For your guests’ sake, you can set up cones, signage, or string lights to guide them. Alternatively, hire a valet or shuttle service from a local parking lot if parking is limited near your home. 9) Plan For A DIY Buffet Or Hiring A Caterer For Dinner Acrylic Wedding Buffet Food Signs Food will be a lot of your guests’ favorite part of your wedding. Decide whether you want to DIY your dinner or hire a caterer. For a DIY setup you’ll need buffet tables, serving utensils, and warming trays. For a more polished setup choose a caterer who can accommodate your backyard event. As a third option: ask some of your local food trucks if they do weddings! 10) Want Dancing Or Speakered Ceremony? Consider A Sound & Music Setup Your easiest solution for music is to hire a DJ or MC who can bring their own music equipment and take care of all the sound for you. If you want to keep it more low key, you can create your own setup with bluetooth speakers or a rented sound system. You’ll also need microphones for the ceremony and speeches. Be sure to start creating your playlists for the reception ahead of time so you don’t forget any of your favorite songs and have a few hours worth of music ready. 11) Make Sure to Have Lighting for Evening Weddings Backyard Bulb String Lights Don’t overlook the lighting situation in your backyard! If your wedding is going on past sundown you’ll need to buy or rent plenty of lights. String lights, lanterns, or solar pathway lights are all great ideas for backyard weddings. You could also add candles (real or fake) to your tables to add ambiance. 12) Have A Backyard Wedding Waste & Recycling Plan Provide clearly labeled trash and recycling bins to make sure you keep your space clean. Make a plan for who will change out garbage bags and when. Post-wedding you may need to have a plan to drive to your local dump or recycling facility if there’s too much waste for your scheduled pickups. If you’re trying to be especially eco-friendly try to avoid disposables where you can. Backyard Wedding Cost Breakdown: What to Budget For Even though a backyard wedding can save thousands compared to a traditional venue, there are still expenses to plan for. The average backyard wedding cost can be about $10,000 for couples who are careful with their budget. If you’re not careful, your rentals and services could add up to the same cost as a full-service venue (with twice the work). Here’s a look at the biggest budget categories and what you can expect to spend. Potential Backyard Wedding Venue Costs Your backyard venue could technically be completely free if it’s at your home or a friend/relative’s home. Just don’t forget to factor in costs like yard prep, rentals, lighting, permits, insurance, and more. These costs can add up so make sure you budget accordingly. Backyard Wedding Rentals: Avg Costs For Tables, Tents, & More Your rentals are going to be costly for your backyard wedding depending on how close to a real wedding venue you want your event to feel. If you’re worried about weather, a tent will be one of your most costly rentals, we’ve seen estimates from $500 to $10,000 depending on size, features, and installation fees. Estimated Costs for Wedding Rentals: Tent: $1000+ Tables & Chairs: $300-$1000 Dance Floor: $300+ Portable Restrooms: $150+ each Food Costs: Catering vs. Food Trucks vs. DIY Feeding your guests costs a wide range of money. You can probably pull off $50 per person for food and drinks if you’re frugal. You may be able to save some money by cooking and/or serving our own food. Just keep in mind that DIY food service is a ton of work and will need people dedicated to that task all night. Estimated Catering Prices Per Person Buffet Style Catering: $20-60 Alcohol Service: $15 Food Trucks: $15-35 Potential Event Insurance Did you know you can (and should) get insurance for your wedding? You’re likely spending thousands of dollars on your wedding, insurance is the best way to protect your money in case a vendor doesn’t show up or a hurricane rolls in. Plus, liability insurance will cover any potential accidents that may happen at your wedding. Liability insurance is especially important if you’re serving alcohol. Typical Wedding Insurance Price: $75-$550 Delivery Fees, Set-Up & Tear-Down Costs, Etc. As you call your potential vendors, make sure you ask about additional fees. It will cost time and money to have items delivered, set up, torn down, cleaned up, and more. Your friends and family may be able to help you cut down on labor costs but don’t forget how much time and effort DIYs take. Backyard Wedding Themes & Decor Ideas Your decor choices are especially important at an outdoor wedding because you want to convert the space into a wedding venue. Choosing a romantic theme will help you design a cohesive space and add depth to your wedding photos. Start a wedding decor checklist with items you want and need so you can keep track and plan your budget. Below are some simple and whimsical themes to transform your backyard into your dream wedding venue. Simple Whimsical Backyard Wedding Woodland Wedding Invitation Suite | Sheer Wedding Sign Embrace nature as you plan your backyard wedding. Get inspired by the joys of being outside with a whimsical nature theme. Use shades of green as your main color scheme and accent with delicate white details. Backyard Bold Garden Party Wedding Theme Wedding Invitation Suite | Bold Retro Sign | Multi-Color Bouquet | Colorful Floral Arch Fill your wedding with color by choosing a bold theme. Throw a garden party wedding with bright florals and retro inspired decor. Choose a few colors to focus on but feel free to go crazy with a wide range of vibrant shades. Timeless & Elegant B&W Backyard Wedding Linen Wedding Banner | Custom Wedding Newspaper A black and white theme is timeless and effortless. By keeping it simple with color you can minimize the stress you have for decorating your whole yard. A few black and white yard signs, white roses, and white table cloths will create a romantic setting for your wedding. Thrifted & Eclectic Backyard Wedding Aesthetic Whimsical Wedding Invitation You probably chose an alternative wedding venue so you could save money and create a more sentimental feel. Decorate your backyard wedding with vintage table cloths, borrowed candle holders, and mismatched antique chairs for an eclectic look. You can thrift, borrow, and repurpose items for an affordable and whimsical backyard wedding. Rustic Backyard Wedding Theme Ivory and Gold Invitations | Wooden Table Lanterns | Family Tree Guest Book Your backyard is already probably a bit rustic so don’t be afraid to use some rustic decor in your wedding. Natural wood accents, dried flowers, and vintage table accents can create a comfortable and cozy environment for your guests. Laid-Back Backyard Wedding Wedding Invitation Postcard | Fabric Wedding Sign If you just want to keep it low-key, create a minimalist wedding design. Get a really nice big banner as your wedding backdrop and photo backdrop as an easy way to make your yard feel like a wedding venue. Decorate tables with simple white table cloths, affordable greenery, and simple candle holders. Conclusion: Bringing Your Backyard Wedding Vision to Life Your backyard can be more than just a venue. It can show your story, your style, and include the people you love most. Whether you dream of a whimsical garden, a bright and colorful party, a classic black and white look, or something rustic and laid-back, a backyard wedding is all about making it personal. Start with a creative wedding theme, then add decor, lighting, and small details that make the day special. These thoughtful touches are what guests will remember long after the music ends.
How to Plan A Backyard Wedding In 2026: Checklist, Budget, & Decor Ideas Backyard weddings are perfect for couples who want a more intimate and laid back wedding style but still want to celebrate with their family and friends. While elopements and courthouse weddings have been popular lately, they don’t work for couples who want to invite guests. Using your own backyard to host your loved ones can save you money without sacrificing the joy of sharing your big moment. Backyard Wedding Checklist: Everything You’ll Need to Consider A backyard wedding is perfect for couples who are great at time management, have family and friends to borrow from, and love to be hands-on. As you plan, try to focus on what you can borrow and do yourself. Prioritize the parts of the wedding that mean the most to you, whether that’s food, dancing, or a beautiful ceremony. Feel free to break away from tradition to save yourself stress and money. Use our backyard wedding checklist to help you keep track of the important details. 1) Backyard Wedding Table & Chair Rentals You’ll need plenty of tables and chairs if you’re doing a backyard wedding reception. You can rent everything you need from your local event rental shop. Save even more money by borrowing tables and chairs from friends, family, or your local church. You can get fancier with wood tables and matching chairs, or keep it casual with folding chairs and banquet tables for guests. Go for a boho mismatched look if you’re borrowing a variety of tables and chairs from multiple people. 2) Plan For A Wedding Bar & Drink Station Setup Did you know you can hire a bar and bartender for your wedding? Look into mobile bar services if you have the money in your budget. If not, set up your own bar with coolers, beverage dispensers, a keg, signature cocktail mixes, and reusable cups or glassware. Have a friend play bartender for the night or set up a self-serve pre-stocked bar cart. 3) Consider Weatherproofing Your Backyard Wedding: Tent Rentals You probably have a pretty good understanding of your local weather patterns so keep them in mind as you plan your backyard wedding. Consider renting an event tent if you think there’s any chance of inclement weather. Tents will protect guests from sun, wind, or rain. They’re available in a bunch of different styles and sizes based on your needs and aesthetic. You can order tents with or without sidewalls or with clear panels for wind and temperature control. 4) Portable Restroom Rentals for Bigger Backyard Weddings If you’re having a larger wedding: porta-potties will make life much more convenient for your wedding guests. You can rent standard porta-potties for a reasonable price or luxury portable restrooms if you have a little extra room in the budget. Keep it classy by stocking your potties with extra paper products, hand sanitizer, and mints. 5) Backyard Wedding Table Settings & Place Settings Hand-Dyed Cheesecloth Table Runner If you’re serving food at your wedding you’ll need plates, flatware, and glassware—either rented or compostable for easy cleanup. You may also need chargers, napkins, and table runners if you want to style your tables. Check Facebook Marketplace, your local thrift store, or event rental companies for affordable table setting supplies. 6) Plan For A Portable Dance Floor Or Reception Space Your guests will probably want to dance after dinner but that might be difficult in the grass or dirt. Rent a portable dance floor or designate a solid patio space for dancing. Add lighting or disco lights for extra fun! 7) Think About Backyard Wedding Decor: Signage Ideas Flower Box Wedding Welcome Sign Signage is important at any wedding, but especially at a non-traditional wedding venue. Help your guests find the wedding, the bathroom, the bar, their seats, and more with custom wedding signage. Not only is signage helpful, but it adds a lot to your decor. Add candles, lanterns, and seasonal florals to fill in the blanks. Having plenty of wedding decor will help transform your backyard into your dream wedding venue. 8) Have A Plan For Parking & Guest Arrival (& Communicate It) Parking is one of the trickiest parts of having a backyard wedding. Keep your neighbors and your guests in mind as you plan. Be considerate--talk to your neighbors if you’ll be having cars parked on the street near their houses. For your guests’ sake, you can set up cones, signage, or string lights to guide them. Alternatively, hire a valet or shuttle service from a local parking lot if parking is limited near your home. 9) Plan For A DIY Buffet Or Hiring A Caterer For Dinner Acrylic Wedding Buffet Food Signs Food will be a lot of your guests’ favorite part of your wedding. Decide whether you want to DIY your dinner or hire a caterer. For a DIY setup you’ll need buffet tables, serving utensils, and warming trays. For a more polished setup choose a caterer who can accommodate your backyard event. As a third option: ask some of your local food trucks if they do weddings! 10) Want Dancing Or Speakered Ceremony? Consider A Sound & Music Setup Your easiest solution for music is to hire a DJ or MC who can bring their own music equipment and take care of all the sound for you. If you want to keep it more low key, you can create your own setup with bluetooth speakers or a rented sound system. You’ll also need microphones for the ceremony and speeches. Be sure to start creating your playlists for the reception ahead of time so you don’t forget any of your favorite songs and have a few hours worth of music ready. 11) Make Sure to Have Lighting for Evening Weddings Backyard Bulb String Lights Don’t overlook the lighting situation in your backyard! If your wedding is going on past sundown you’ll need to buy or rent plenty of lights. String lights, lanterns, or solar pathway lights are all great ideas for backyard weddings. You could also add candles (real or fake) to your tables to add ambiance. 12) Have A Backyard Wedding Waste & Recycling Plan Provide clearly labeled trash and recycling bins to make sure you keep your space clean. Make a plan for who will change out garbage bags and when. Post-wedding you may need to have a plan to drive to your local dump or recycling facility if there’s too much waste for your scheduled pickups. If you’re trying to be especially eco-friendly try to avoid disposables where you can. Backyard Wedding Cost Breakdown: What to Budget For Even though a backyard wedding can save thousands compared to a traditional venue, there are still expenses to plan for. The average backyard wedding cost can be about $10,000 for couples who are careful with their budget. If you’re not careful, your rentals and services could add up to the same cost as a full-service venue (with twice the work). Here’s a look at the biggest budget categories and what you can expect to spend. Potential Backyard Wedding Venue Costs Your backyard venue could technically be completely free if it’s at your home or a friend/relative’s home. Just don’t forget to factor in costs like yard prep, rentals, lighting, permits, insurance, and more. These costs can add up so make sure you budget accordingly. Backyard Wedding Rentals: Avg Costs For Tables, Tents, & More Your rentals are going to be costly for your backyard wedding depending on how close to a real wedding venue you want your event to feel. If you’re worried about weather, a tent will be one of your most costly rentals, we’ve seen estimates from $500 to $10,000 depending on size, features, and installation fees. Estimated Costs for Wedding Rentals: Tent: $1000+ Tables & Chairs: $300-$1000 Dance Floor: $300+ Portable Restrooms: $150+ each Food Costs: Catering vs. Food Trucks vs. DIY Feeding your guests costs a wide range of money. You can probably pull off $50 per person for food and drinks if you’re frugal. You may be able to save some money by cooking and/or serving our own food. Just keep in mind that DIY food service is a ton of work and will need people dedicated to that task all night. Estimated Catering Prices Per Person Buffet Style Catering: $20-60 Alcohol Service: $15 Food Trucks: $15-35 Potential Event Insurance Did you know you can (and should) get insurance for your wedding? You’re likely spending thousands of dollars on your wedding, insurance is the best way to protect your money in case a vendor doesn’t show up or a hurricane rolls in. Plus, liability insurance will cover any potential accidents that may happen at your wedding. Liability insurance is especially important if you’re serving alcohol. Typical Wedding Insurance Price: $75-$550 Delivery Fees, Set-Up & Tear-Down Costs, Etc. As you call your potential vendors, make sure you ask about additional fees. It will cost time and money to have items delivered, set up, torn down, cleaned up, and more. Your friends and family may be able to help you cut down on labor costs but don’t forget how much time and effort DIYs take. Backyard Wedding Themes & Decor Ideas Your decor choices are especially important at an outdoor wedding because you want to convert the space into a wedding venue. Choosing a romantic theme will help you design a cohesive space and add depth to your wedding photos. Start a wedding decor checklist with items you want and need so you can keep track and plan your budget. Below are some simple and whimsical themes to transform your backyard into your dream wedding venue. Simple Whimsical Backyard Wedding Woodland Wedding Invitation Suite | Sheer Wedding Sign Embrace nature as you plan your backyard wedding. Get inspired by the joys of being outside with a whimsical nature theme. Use shades of green as your main color scheme and accent with delicate white details. Backyard Bold Garden Party Wedding Theme Wedding Invitation Suite | Bold Retro Sign | Multi-Color Bouquet | Colorful Floral Arch Fill your wedding with color by choosing a bold theme. Throw a garden party wedding with bright florals and retro inspired decor. Choose a few colors to focus on but feel free to go crazy with a wide range of vibrant shades. Timeless & Elegant B&W Backyard Wedding Linen Wedding Banner | Custom Wedding Newspaper A black and white theme is timeless and effortless. By keeping it simple with color you can minimize the stress you have for decorating your whole yard. A few black and white yard signs, white roses, and white table cloths will create a romantic setting for your wedding. Thrifted & Eclectic Backyard Wedding Aesthetic Whimsical Wedding Invitation You probably chose an alternative wedding venue so you could save money and create a more sentimental feel. Decorate your backyard wedding with vintage table cloths, borrowed candle holders, and mismatched antique chairs for an eclectic look. You can thrift, borrow, and repurpose items for an affordable and whimsical backyard wedding. Rustic Backyard Wedding Theme Ivory and Gold Invitations | Wooden Table Lanterns | Family Tree Guest Book Your backyard is already probably a bit rustic so don’t be afraid to use some rustic decor in your wedding. Natural wood accents, dried flowers, and vintage table accents can create a comfortable and cozy environment for your guests. Laid-Back Backyard Wedding Wedding Invitation Postcard | Fabric Wedding Sign If you just want to keep it low-key, create a minimalist wedding design. Get a really nice big banner as your wedding backdrop and photo backdrop as an easy way to make your yard feel like a wedding venue. Decorate tables with simple white table cloths, affordable greenery, and simple candle holders. Conclusion: Bringing Your Backyard Wedding Vision to Life Your backyard can be more than just a venue. It can show your story, your style, and include the people you love most. Whether you dream of a whimsical garden, a bright and colorful party, a classic black and white look, or something rustic and laid-back, a backyard wedding is all about making it personal. Start with a creative wedding theme, then add decor, lighting, and small details that make the day special. These thoughtful touches are what guests will remember long after the music ends.
