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YOUR GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR BACKYARD WEDDING | DIY BACKYARD WEDDING INSPIRATION
RAE ANN PHOTO | ELOPEMENT & DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | NEW ENGLAND & BEYOND
You've spent countless hours trying to figure out what venue you want for your wedding day, how many guests you'll have, what vendors to book! It may feel overwhelming but I promise, it's not as stressful as you might think.
Let's talk about the benefits of having your wedding in your backyard:
1. Get your pets involved!
If you're wanting to include your fur babes having a backyard wedding gives you the perfect opportunity to let them in on the fun.
Since you're not picking a venue you have flexibility when choosing when to have your wedding. This is especially helpful if you want to get married during busy the wedding season when many venues are booked.
3. You save money
When you decide to have a wedding at your private residence you won't need to put a deposit down on a venue or pay any per person fees. Since you're using your own property as your venue you have free reign to DIY or rent as many vendors as you want. This will not outweigh the cost of a venue.
4. You have full control over your guest list
Having a backyard wedding tends to be more intimate so depending on the size of your property you can have a smaller wedding inviting less guests than a more traditional wedding.
5. Your day is less stressful and more intimate
Having your backyard wedding right at home you get to get ready in your childhood bedroom and read your vows in your backyard. Nothing gets more intimate than that! And because your wedding is at home you'll feel more relaxed and less stressed so it's a win win.
Backyard Wedding Timeline Suggestions
3:30 PM - Photographer's arrive onsite to start coverage
Details (dress, shoes, jewelry, rings, bouquets, etc.)
Bride solo
Zipping up dress with mom or sister or both
Generation Photo of bride w/sister, mom, grandma
4:30 PM - First look with Groom
Couple first look
5:00 PM - Family Photos
Groom + Sister = small wedding party
Groom photos solo
Groomsmen photos
Groom detail photos (boutonnieres, watch, ties, etc.)
5:30 PM - Ceremony
Planning outdoors
Rain plan - inside
6 PM - Cocktail hour
Second photographer cover guest photos
Immediate family photos
Start with grandparents
Followed by full wedding party photos
6:30-7:30 PM - Reception
Announcing parents & wedding party to start
Dinner
MOG’s will do speech, best man to do speech (during dinner) Dad speech
Mother/son, father/daughter dance
7:30-8 PM - Golden hour photos
Summer - later sunset around 8:40PM
8:30 PM - Second photographer depart
7-9:30 PM - Dance Floor Photos
9:30 PM - Rachel Depart
Ceremony
Choose a space for you ceremony with guests in mind. Try to keep them out of direct sunlight if you can especially during warmer months in Summer.
Reception
Tents are perfect for shading your guests and tying the reception space together. Make sure before renting a tent that you have all the table numbers locked in. You don't want to overcrowd the reception space but want enough room to dance in the evening!
Vermont Tents + GMR Tents are a recommended vendor*
Choosing the details
Choose colors and details that feel the most YOU. Since this is a backyard wedding you have the freedom to choose your color palette.
Rental Checklist:
Tent
Ceremony Decor
Ceremony Chairs
Ceremony Backdrop
Reception Chairs
Table Decor
Serving Tables
Dinner Tables
Cocktail Tables
Gifts Table
Guest Book Table
Dessert Table
Place Settings
Linens
Centerpiece Vases
Bar
Dance Floor
Lighting
Overhead Decor
Photo Booth (if renting one)
Food Prep/Storage Equipment
Generators
Portable Restrooms
Trash and recycling bins
Vendor Checklist:
Bar
Tent + Dance floor
Florist
Photographer
Videographer
Caterer
Linens
Lighting
Chairs
HOW DO YOU BOOK YOU AS OUR VERMONT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
Just head to my contact page and fill out a form or you can email me at raeannphoto056@gmail.com when you're ready to start planning. If you're planning for a weekday there's no rush but if you would like a weekend date, let me know ASAP!
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