Backyard weddings are always popular, and it’s easy to see why! They’re personal, sentimental, and offer complete freedom over your space. But while the idea of a backyard wedding feels simple and budget-friendly, the reality often catches couples by surprise.

That’s why we were honored to be featured in This Old House’s recent article on backyard wedding costs, where we shared this insight:

“Wedding venues are designed to accommodate a large amount of people in one space. They come with restrooms, a kitchen, power, and parking,” says Serena Fournier, co-founder of The Wedding Duo. “People often underestimate the cost of bringing in those necessary elements.”

If you’re trying to plan a backyard wedding yourself, you’re essentially building your own venue from the ground up. And trust us, that’s not a small task. The logistics can be overwhelming. That’s exactly why we created The Wedding Duo DIY Membership: to help couples plan their dream day with expert guidance, step-by-step support, and a whole lot less stress. Let’s break down the real costs (and what to do about them).

What Backyard Weddings Really Cost (And Why It Surprises Couples!)

There’s a common misconception that backyard weddings are low-cost, low-maintenance alternatives to traditional venues. And sure, you might not be signing a $10,000 venue contract… but you’re taking on all the responsibilities (and expenses) that would have come with it.

The biggest surprise? You’re not just throwing a party. You’re building a venue. That means you’ll likely need to bring in bathrooms, generators, tents, flooring, lighting, kitchen setups for catering, and solutions for parking, power, and trash. All of those items add up quickly, and most aren’t included in your initial Pinterest vision board.

If you’re hosting a tented wedding, plan to spend at least $15,000 on the structure and basic rentals. And that’s before you get to floral installs, décor, or entertainment. Flooring alone can cost thousands, especially if your yard isn’t level or is prone to flooding. And most tents don’t come dressed, so you’ll need to budget for draping, lighting, or even chandeliers if you’re looking to create a polished aesthetic.

The land may be free, but everything else comes at a cost. This is why we recommend backyard weddings for smaller events (under 50 guests) or ceremony-only setups. Or, make sure you are you’re working with a planner or a support system that helps you stay organized and ahead of the curve! That’s where our DIY Wedding Planning Membership comes in. We’ve built it to be your roadmap through every piece of planning, especially the overwhelming logistics that come with backyard weddings!

Common Backyard Wedding Planning Challenges

Beyond the budget, backyard weddings come with a long list of logistical challenges. One of the biggest is setup and teardown. With no venue staff, every detail, from unloading rentals to boxing up glassware at the end of the night, has to be handled by someone. Often, that someone ends up being the couple or their family members. And that can quickly turns a celebration into a chore!

Many couples don’t realize how much lead time they’ll need to prepare the space. Most rental companies need access several days in advance to install tents and flooring. You’ll also want to schedule mosquito treatment, assess the power situation, and identify where vendors can park and set up.

There are also issues like permitting, especially if you plan to use propane heaters or have loud music late into the evening. Cities and counties vary widely in what they require!

Catering presents its own challenges. In many cases, caterers will require their own tent, tables, lighting, power, and access to running water. And they’ll likely need a dedicated trash solution as well. 

Then there’s parking. Most neighborhoods can’t accommodate dozens of cars. You’ll need to consider shuttle transportation to and from a nearby hotel or parking lot, and let neighbors know well in advance about the added traffic and noise. All of this adds up quickly, both in terms of money and decision fatigue.

What You Actually Need to Pull A Backyard Wedding Off

So yes, backyard weddings can be beautiful. But they also need to be exceptionally well-planned! To do it right, you need a clear, detailed timeline. You need to know when rentals arrive, when vendors are expected, how long each part of the day takes, and who is responsible for each piece. A well-structured timeline can make or break a backyard wedding day. That’s why we dedicated an entire module to timelines inside our DIY Wedding Planning Membership. We walk you through how to structure your day so you’re not scrambling behind the scenes when you should be enjoying the moment.

You also need a way to track vendors, communication, and payments. Our Vendor Tracker helps couples stay organized and avoid missed deadlines or last-minute surprises.

Equally important is setting a realistic budget. Most couples we talk to start out with a number in mind, but once we walk through the rentals, permits, and infrastructure needed for a backyard wedding, they realize their budget needs to stretch or shift. The Membership helps couples set that budget early and adjust based on their priorities, so they’re not blindsided mid-way through planning.

You also need to think about your guests’ experience. Where will they park? Will there be shade, restrooms, or access to water? These aren’t just logistical details! They’re what determines whether your guests have a great time or spend the evening trying to find a bathroom and swatting away mosquitoes.

And finally, you need support. Even if you’re planning a wedding yourself, you shouldn’t be doing it by yourself. With the right tools, timeline, and community, DIY doesn’t have to mean stressful.

How Our DIY Membership Helps You Plan a Backyard Wedding

We built The Wedding Duo Membership because we saw how many couples were trying to plan weddings on their own, and feeling totally overwhelmed. This is especially true for backyard weddings, where the flexibility comes with a steep learning curve.

Inside the membership, you’ll find:

• A growing library of video lessons covering topics like timelines, vendor selection, floor plans, and music planning.
• Fillable templates to help you create a detailed timeline, track vendors, and budget realistically.
• Curated music playlists and custom tracks from Dominic to help bring your reception to life.
• Weekly live Q&A sessions where we answer your questions and offer tailored advice
• A private, expert-led community where you can get support from us and other couples planning their weddings.

This isn’t another Facebook group filled with conflicting advice. It’s a space where you can learn, ask, and plan with confidence, without paying $5,000 for a full-service planner. If you’re committed to making it happen, we want to help you do it right, without the burnout!

Join The Wedding Duo Membership today for just $27/month and get immediate access to our timeline module, vendor tools, planning lessons, and community. Whether your wedding is three months or sixteen months away, you’ll be supported every step of the way. Let’s make your backyard wedding unforgettable, for all the right reasons!