It’s no secret that Angel Gray Photography loves backyard weddings! So when we asked Becky Morgan, L.I.F.E. Events owner and lead planner, to be AGP’s newest guest blogger we were so excited that she wanted her first post to feature backyard and barn weddings. This is only the beginning of her advice for these unique events – watch for more coming soon!
Potties, Parking and Plan B!
The options for a beautiful backyard wedding are endless and will vary with every bride. Some will choose simple mason jars filled with single candles to adorn tables inside a barn at their country chic inspired intimate afternoon while others will host an elegant evening complete with white tents, string lights and flowers everywhere –Father of the Bride style! No matter what direction the event takes though, there are three must-haves that need attention when planning a backyard wedding: potties, parking and a plan B!
Potties. According to L.I.F.E. Events the rule of thumb is that the average guest will have three restroom trips during the evening. To keep guests on the dance floor and not in line for the ladies room, renting a portable restroom is a must. Don’t worry, glamour is not thrown out window; the world of portable restrooms comes complete with a/c, hot water, the whole 9 yards!
Parking. Consider the amount of guests you have and the amount of parking that is available. If those don’t match up, you may need to be creative. Becky suggests talking to neighbors to let them know what to expect, talking to the city to see if you need any special permits for the overflow parking, and then if needed reserve a lot close to your location and arrange shuttle transportation for your guests.
Plan B. Living in Florida, we all know how temperamental mother nature can be. We can have sun and blue skies one minute and rain the next. In the winter we can experience freezing temps or what feels like spring time weather. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, it’s always best to be prepared with a backup plan. Whether you have a tent with side walls on hand, standing heaters, an alternate location or another creative solution – better safe than sorry! Becky reminds us that tents usually come with permits which take time and the actual structure will need to be set up in advance of your event. Also, keep in mind that everything should be able to fit inside your tent (entertainment, equipment, dance floor, tables and chairs, bar, decor, etc.)
If you love backyard weddings as much as we do, stay tuned – Becky has more practical tips to share! We’ll talk kitchen size and space, insurance and liability and even how to gently say no to guest who asks to stay the night. (That should be a fun one!)
