Getting married is generally considered one of the most important and yet stressful days of your life, with hours on end devoted to ensuring that special day is perfect. One of the biggest aspects is the venue, be it a church, registry office, hotel or manor; and also where you all head to afterwards for the wedding reception. Many ‘modern’ weddings are now held in one place where you can get married, have a sit down meal and celebrate with a huge party afterwards; all done without the need for people to drive around, but this can be pricey. With wedding costs which can easily spiral into thousands and thousands, many people are now looking at more interesting ways to tie the knot, without it costing the earth i.e. the back garden.

Granted not many of us are blessed with a huge sprawling estate with acres of land, but you do not necessarily need that. Something on a smaller scale can be just as memorable and much more intimate. Or on the other hand, you may know someone who does have a large garden and they may be willing to loan it to you. You will need to apply for a licence from your local authority if you want to hold the actual ceremony in your garden, or you could formally tie the knot in a registry office and then hire a wedding celebrant to carry out part two of your wedding at your home.

Preparation

It may be obvious but if you have decided to host your own back garden wedding, take some time out to prepare your garden – after all it’s going to be on show to all your guests so you want it looking its best. Tend the lawn by weeding and reseeding. Consider some plants which you may want in tubs and boarders; these could all incorporate the wedding colour scheme. It’s great idea to use some of the money you have saved on the venue to hire a gardener in the weeks coming up to the wedding just to ensure that it’s in tip top condition.

Catering

Food is something which will of course need to be provided on your big day. Do you want your home kitchen used? Or will you hire a catering company? If your wedding is going to be a large affair it’s possible that you may need a generator for all that extra power, check with the catering company if they provide one or if one is needed. Also, who’s going to be left burdened with all the washing up?

Weather

If you are a UK resident, you are no doubt well aware that the weather is always far from predictable; our summers can be wet and cold and winters unseasonably warm and dry so you will need to be prepared. Hiring a marquee can be a sensible precaution, so if the weather isn’t on your side you still have some cover. Marquees, in addition to being dry, can be beautifully decorated and are available to hire in a range in sizes so you should be able to find the perfect one for your garden. You could have the wedding breakfast inside the marquee and if it’s dry afterwards, venture outside for drinks and dancing. On the safe side its best to presume it will rain, and if it doesn’t then it’s a still adds a touch of scale to the gathering.

Decoration

This can be a fun challenge to let your design flare run free. If you’re short of inspiration you can search the internet and bridal magazines, and use your surroundings to your own advantage. Hay bale seating is a fabulous idea for a rustic inspired wedding, especially if you reside in the countryside. Wheelbarrows filled with ice can be perfect drink stations. Fairy lights and lanterns hung in trees can set a romantic tone for the evening. There are also a multitude of companies that hire out furniture which you can pick to match the theme of your wedding.

Fun

A garden wedding can be the perfect choice if you are planning a more fun than formal theme. Utilise the space you have and provide garden games such as giant Jenga and Connect Four, sports such as swing ball or badminton, even a bouncy castle. The outside space can also be perfect for fireworks and sparklers.

With the correct planning, a gar den wedding can be the perfect venue for your special day – And to avoid noise complaints, invite the neighbours, too.

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