Roc Focus is a Rochester husband and wife team that specializes in journalistic storytelling for engagements and weddings. Roc Focus captures authentic and emotional moments of your wedding day through photography and video. Based in Rochester, NY and willing to travel anywhere.
So, you’ve decided to ditch the traditional venue wedding in favor of a backyard wedding. Having your wedding at your home (or at some other outdoor venue) can be a very intimate affair. But, at the same time, backyard weddings are also pretty daunting. You’re in charge of everything from A to Z, so you need some mad juggling skills. In addition, the slightest mistake has the potential to ruin the most important day of your life.
There’s no need to hit the panic button yet. We’ve got you covered! We cover everything you need to know in order to host the perfect wedding. First, let’s take a look at the advantages of having a backyard wedding.
Advantages of a backyard wedding
1. Safety
There’s no going around it, we’re still very much living in the Covid age. Since backyard weddings are much smaller (and more intimate), you’ll be able to ensure that everyone in attendance is vaccinated and has tested negative before the big day.
2. Convenience
Having a wedding in or near your home is the most convenient option. Not only do you get the wedding reception and the actual wedding in the same place, it’s also your comfort zone. There’s no such thing as transportation problems or arriving late when your wedding is in your own home.
There’s also the fact that you’ll get to go home after your wedding! Technically, you’ll never leave your home throughout the wedding… but you get the idea.
3. A backyard wedding is much more intimate
Almost all of us dream of having an intimate wedding with only our inner circle in attendance. After all, your wedding day should be spent with those closest to your heart. Good news! Since space is super limited with backyard weddings, they’re intimate by design; you’ll no longer be obliged to invite your coworkers or distant relations.
4. You save quite a bit of money
It’s no secret that weddings can get outrageously expensive, and the lion’s share of that cost often goes into the venue. With a backyard wedding, you can save a ton of cash. Then you can maybe use these savings to have a more extravagant (hint: romantic) honeymoon.
5. You’re the boss
Wedding venues often have their own rules and regulations that you have to abide by. Some even go as far as only allowing decorations that “match the existing space”, whatever that’s supposed to mean. Then there are issues with getting a booking on your chosen wedding date. It’s not unusual to find yourself having to shift your plans around to suit the venue, rather than the other way around.
As you might have guessed already, none of that is an issue if you have a backyard wedding. You get to set your own date, and you have absolute control over the space. Decorate however you like, set your own rules, get your friends and family involved (or not, completely up to you). These weddings provide you the most room to be creative.
Things you need to consider (and some helpful tips)
Remember those juggling skills we mentioned? We weren’t exaggerating. You really do need to consider, and take care of, a lot of factors for your wedding to go perfectly. To help things along, we’ve compiled a list of things you need to consider, as well as some helpful tips.
Get the necessary permits
To host a wedding at your home (or anywhere other than a venue), you will need a city permit, fire department inspection, and many other things in order before you can proceed. Depending on the area and the number of guests you’re inviting, you may also require permits for the noise ordinance and car parking along the street.
Don’t forget your neighbors
Trust us, an angry neighbor complaining, or calling the police, about the loud music, too many parked cars, and lots of other things, can be a real buzzkill for your wedding. But that’s one of the catastrophes that can be avoided with just a bit of consideration.
Inform your neighbors prior to the wedding, and maybe even have a chat with them to tell them what your big day plans are. This way, you can ensure that there are no neighbor issues on your wedding day.
Prepare the wedding space
Preparing the wedding space for your big day includes a lot of things. From making all the necessary repairs to keeping the pests away, you will have to make sure everything is shipshape for the wedding.
You need to consider the space of your backyard in contrast with the number of guests you plan on inviting. A wedding coordinator can help immensely in that regard. Having a professional inspect your space will also determine whether the ground needs to be leveled for the tables, chairs, and dancefloor.
You can also work with them to lay out a cohesive landscape design for the reception. Additionally, having your caterer, florist, lighting designer, and rental company survey the backyard is a wise thing to do. It’ll help them prepare accordingly for the wedding day.
You will also need to get the property inspected by an electrician, fix any plumbing issues, and get the backyard maintained to make sure everything is in order and your reception area looks great.
Weatherproof the event (and try to prepare for the unexpected)
Weather can be unpredictable, but you shouldn’t let a light shower spoil the big day. To avoid that, be ready with a Plan B in case it does start to rain. Tenting the reception area is a great option, but you can also opt to have a marquee or canopy on stand by.
Keep accessibility in mind
The bigger your guest list, the more complex the logistics of your wedding will be. So be prepared for the accessibility issues that might entail.
Arrange plenty of parking spaces and places for delivery trucks to pull up, have a designated space with cooking facilities ready, and consider how best to meet them should any of your guests have special requirements.
Anticipate that some guests might want to crash at your place
Some of the guests who show up at your wedding might also want to crash at your place for the night, so it’s worth planning for. Unless you own a huge mansion, even a few guests crashing at your place can raise logistical problems. Look into alternative arrangements like nearby hotels and property rentals like Airbnb and Vrbo where guests can have easy access to the reception while also sparing you the trouble.
Get additional restrooms
Depending on the number of guests, it’s always a good idea to have some extra restrooms in place to avoid the two or three bathrooms in your home getting overcrowded.
Rent a generator
Many of the things needed for a backyard wedding (like the lighting, music setup, and even catering) require additional power sources, and a generator rental will help a lot when it comes to supplementing them.
The services you will need
Putting together a wedding is a team effort and requires a whole host of professional services. From organizing stuff and keeping things on schedule to making sure you feel and look your best, each aspect of the ceremony needs to be taken care of by experts to make your biggest day go flawlessly.
If you’re planning a backyard wedding, you will be needing these services a lot. Don’t worry if you don’t know which ones exactly—here’s a list that covers each one of them.
- Officiant: Let’s start with the one person whose absence will literally make it impossible to carry out your wedding—an officiant. So, to state the obvious, don’t forget to arrange for one way beforehand.
- Wedding planner: Wedding planners are great to have around, especially on this occasion. Since they make a living out of it, you can be sure a good wedding planner will plan and execute every aspect of your wedding perfectly.
- Cake maker: A wedding without a cake is like a night without the moon. A gorgeous cake personalized to your theme by a pro baker will be, to borrow from a cake metaphor, the cherry on top of your amazing backyard wedding.
- Dressmaker: Every couple wants to look their absolute best on the most important day of their life. Well, a dressmaker plays an essential role in making that happen. Start looking for a dressmaker for your big day long before anyone else to get the perfect attire for you ready to rock on the big day.
- Make-up and hair stylist: A stunning attire is only one half of the picture when it comes to making you look your absolute best on the wedding day, make-up and hairstyling is the other. A good make-up and hair stylist will take care of that.
- Florist: Flowers always bring a special kind of joy to a wedding, regardless of where it’s being hosted. A good florist is particularly handy when you’re hosting a backyard wedding, because some skillfully placed flowers will make the venue decor the talk of the night and give your “I Dos” a unique touch.
- Lighting expert: A thoroughly designed lighting arrangement will truly brighten up your venue, and that’s what lighting designers are for—they do everything from complementing your decor and flower arrangements to giving the ceremony an atmospheric vibe.
- Caterer: A big part of the celebration on your wedding day is the food and drinks. For a grand backyard wedding, you will need a caterer to ensure the guests are served mouthwatering food to fuel their enjoyment.
- Staff (if the catering service doesn’t provide it): Usually, the catering service will bring their own staff for your wedding, but you should ask in advance from the caterer you book if that’s the case. On the off chance it’s not, make sure to hire staff of your own to see to the guests and take care of other tasks on your wedding.
- Band/DJ: If you’re planning to ramp things up for your backyard wedding, consider having a band or DJ present on site. Some music will cheer up the mood and add tons of merriment to your wedding.
- Photographer/Videographer: Getting to relive some of the most unforgettable moments of your life is a special kind of joy. Wedding photographers and videographers make that possible by capturing those moments for you.
- Cleanup crew: Putting things back to the way they were is just as daunting as arranging a wedding. That’s why a cleanup crew is an absolute must when you’re hosting a backyard wedding.
- Rentals: Since yours is a backyard wedding, you will definitely be needing things like tables, chairs, silverware, and decor to make it a success. Rental companies will provide you all the needed items for a backyard wedding.
- Insurance: Nobody really plans to have accidents happen at a wedding, but they do happen occasionally. It’s better to be prepared for that eventuality, no matter how remote it is. In addition to your homeowner’s insurance, you should get extra coverage to protect your guests and your property.
- Venue: Not all of us have a backyard in our homes, but that doesn’t necessarily have to hinder your backyard wedding plans. There are many public places and Airbnb spaces you can book as a venue. Check out the list of the ones in Rochester in the local properties’ section below.
- Transport company (if the venue is not your home): If you’re hosting your backyard wedding someplace other than your own backyard, like a local property or Airbnb, you will need to hire a transport service to take you and your guests there.
List of local vendors in Rochester that are great for backyard weddings
Photographers/Videographers
- Us!
Officiants
Wedding Planners
- Eliza Jane Events – Website
- Homemade Events – Website
- Pauleen Anne Design – Website
- Designs by Connell – Website
- Starlit Events – Website
- Verve Event Co – Website
- Untamed Events – Website
Caterers
- Partyman Catering – Website
- Madeline’s Catering – Website
- Creative Caterers at Glendoveers – Website
- Tasteful Connections Catering – Website
- All Occasions Catering – Website
Florists
- Kittelberger – Website
- Stacy K Florals – Website
- Wildflower by Simply Events – Website
- Rockcastle – Website
- Wisteria Flowers – Website
Rentals
Cake Makers
- Cheesy Eddie’s – Website
- Get Caked – Website
- Savoia Pasty Shop – Website
- Scratch Bakeshop – Website
- Torta – Website
Dressmakers
- Lovely Bride – Website
- Stellas Bridal – Website
- M. A. Carr Bridal – Website
- Silk Bridal Boutique – Website
- Two Hearts Bridal – Website
- The Wedding Dress – Website
Suits
Make-up
- Makeup by Tierney – Website
- Bridal Biz Beauty – Website
- Tiffany Loveless – Website
- Eva Jewel Makeup Artistry – Website
Hair stylists
- Trendz Salon & Spa – Website
- Jasmine Spears – Website
- Bellezza Salon & Spa – Website
- Special Occasion Hair & Makeup – Website
- Haven Hair Salon – Website
DJs
- Encore Events – Website
- Kalifornia Entertainment – Website
- Sound Express – Website
- Spectrum Sounds – Website
- Marquee Events – Website
Bands
- PopStyle – Website
- Nik and the Nice Guys – Website
- Swooners – Website
- Something Else – Website
- The Uptown Groove – Website
Local properties that allow backyard weddings (in case your home doesn’t)
- Whispering Willow Acres — 5190 Lincoln Rd, Ontario, NY
- Monroe’s Restaurant — 3001 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY
- Ridgemont Country Club — 3717 Ridge Rd W, Rochester, NY
- Seneca Park Zoo — 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY
- Rochester Museum and Science Center — 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
- CenterPointe Golf & Country Club — 2231 Brickyard Rd, Canandaigua, NY
- Salmon Creek Country Club — 355 Washington St, Spencerport, NY
- Seneca Lake Resorts — 6040 State Route 96A, Romulus, NY
- Shadow Lake Golf & Racquet Club — 1850 Five Mile Line Road, Penfield, NY
- Eagle Vale Golf Club — 4344 Nine Mile Point Rd, Fairport, NY
To learn more about wedding venues around Rochester check out our Rochester Wedding Venue page with details and information along with real weddings that we have shot.