How to Plan Your Backyard Wedding on a Budget
Dreaming of a beautiful wedding without breaking the bank? A backyard wedding is the perfect way to create an intimate, magical day while keeping costs low. Whether you’re working with a small budget or simply love the idea of a cozy, personalized wedding, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to plan your perfect backyard wedding on a budget—without sacrificing style or elegance.
Why Choose a Backyard Wedding?
Backyard weddings are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason! They offer:
- Cost savings – No venue rental fees, and you can DIY many elements.
- Personalization – Your wedding can be 100% you.
- Intimacy – A backyard setting keeps the event warm and personal.
- Flexibility – No strict venue rules or time limits.
With some creativity and smart planning, you can turn your backyard into the wedding venue of your dreams!
1. Set Your Budget and Priorities
Before diving into decorations and vendors, start with a clear budget. Consider:
- What’s your total spending limit?
- What are the must-haves (food, photography, dress)?
- Where can you save money (DIY décor, borrowing tables and chairs, using a friend as your officiant)?
Once you set a budget, prioritize the elements that matter most to you and find ways to cut costs elsewhere.
Pro Tip:
Use a wedding budget spreadsheet to track expenses and avoid overspending.
2. Keep the Guest List Small & Intimate
One of the biggest budget busters is the guest list. More guests = higher costs for food, rentals, and favors.
- Keep it intimate (50 guests or fewer).
- Invite only your closest family and friends.
- Consider a micro-wedding (20 guests or fewer) for an ultra-affordable, stress-free day.
Pro Tip:
Make it clear on the invitations if it’s an adults-only event or if kids are allowed to avoid unexpected extra guests. We encouraged people to bring their kiddos, but don’t feel bad if that is not your vibe and you are trying to cut costs!
3. Create a Stunning Backyard Setup on a Budget
Transform your backyard into a magical wedding venue without spending thousands!
DIY Backyard Wedding Decor Ideas:
- String lights – Affordable and instantly romantic!
- Mason jar candles – Perfect for a rustic, cozy feel.
- DIY flower arrangements – Buy flowers in bulk and arrange them yourself. We purchased about $100 worth of flowers from Trader Joe’s + a variety of $1.99 vases from GoodWill and made the centerpieces ourselves!
- Repurpose furniture – Use benches, farm tables, or antique chairs for a unique look.
- Backyard wedding arch – Create one with wood, greenery, or draped fabric.
Pro Tip:
Shop at Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, and discount retailers for budget-friendly décor finds!
4. Affordable Backyard Wedding Catering Options
Catering is often one of the most expensive parts of a wedding. To save money, consider:
- Buffet-style or family-style dining – Requires fewer servers!
- BBQ, taco bar, or pasta bar – Fun, affordable, and delicious. We catered some local BBQ, set it up on our sunroom and it was smooth + cost-effective!
- Food truck wedding – A trendy and budget-friendly option! Sadly, there are not many food trucks in our area LOL.
Pro Tip:
Skip the full bar! Offer signature cocktails, beer, and wine instead of an open bar to cut costs. Buy a few varieties of your favorite drinks, and let people choose from those options!
5. Affordable Wedding Dress
You don’t have to spend thousands on your dress! Here’s how to find a stunning wedding dress on a budget:
- Shop at sample sales or outlet stores.
- Look for pre-owned wedding dresses on sites like Stillwhite or Poshmark.
- Consider a simple white dress from a department store or online boutique.
- Borrow a dress from a family member for sentimental value and savings!
For me, I bought my dress off-the-rack for $899. While this was still a good chunk of change, buying from a boutique with alterations would have costed me closer to $3,000!
6. Photography & Videography on a Budget
Your wedding photos will last a lifetime, but you don’t have to spend thousands.
- Hire a new or student photographer looking to build their portfolio.
- Ask a friend with a good camera to take photos.
- Set up a DIY photo booth or leave out some digital cameras for your guests to capture the moments for you!
7. Save Money on Wedding Invitations & Stationery
Traditional wedding invitations can be expensive. Here are affordable alternatives:
- Digital invitations – Use sites like Paperless Post or Greenvelope.
- DIY printable invitations – Etsy and Canva have beautiful templates you can print yourself. I created ours on Canva – we purchased 50 invitations for around $50.
- Handwritten invites – For small weddings, handwritten invitations add a personal touch!
8. Entertainment & Music on a Budget
Skip the expensive DJ and go with budget-friendly entertainment options:
- DIY Spotify playlist – Set up a great playlist and assign a friend to hit “play.”
- Karaoke rental – A fun way to engage guests!
9. Plan for Weather & Comfort
Since you’re hosting a backyard wedding, you’ll need to be prepared for the elements!
- Have a backup plan – Rent a tent or choose a home with indoor space just in case.
- Keep guests comfortable – Provide blankets for a chilly evening or fans for a summer wedding.
- Use bug repellent candles – Keep pesky mosquitoes away!
Pro Tip:
Renting a portable restroom is a must if your home doesn’t have enough bathrooms for guests. The general rule of thumb is 1 bathroom per 30 guests.
Final Thoughts: Your Perfect Backyard Wedding Awaits!
A budget-friendly backyard wedding doesn’t mean sacrificing beauty or magic—it just means getting creative and prioritizing what matters most.
By keeping it intimate, DIY-ing décor, and choosing affordable vendors, you can have the wedding of your dreams without the hefty price tag.
For us, we prioritized the food, photography, and did end up going with an affordable DJ! We will have a full cost breakdown of our backyard wedding in a blog post soon!
Now, go plan your perfect day! 💍✨
