Beautiful Backyard Wedding

There are usually two extremely different ideas that come to mind.

Either it’s one that looks like it was thrown together at the last minute…

You know, like some of the ones that are on the show, Bridezillas, every so often.

Or they’re beautiful and sentimental – think Hallmark’s “Movie of the Week”.

Perhaps that’s why engaged couples find themselves being a bit on the fence when it comes to considering a backyard wedding; they’re not sure how to make it the latter rather than the former.

If you’re finding yourself wanting a backyard wedding, but you don’t know if you’re being realistic about all that it entails, here are some major considerations to take into account when it comes to planning out one.

Backyard Wedding Tips

The weather

Perhaps the most challenging thing about planning an outdoor wedding is that no matter how detail-oriented you are, the weather is one thing that’s totally unpredictable.

For this reason, you must take some precautions. A lot of people don’t want to the expense that comes with renting a tent “just in case” and so why not just get one anyway? If the sun is shining, you can use it for your reception. If the weather has other things in mind, you can use it for the wedding and the reception.

The yard space

OK, there are definitely a lot of things that fall into this particular category. First, you should make out your guest list so that you can determine if you even have enough space to comfortably accommodate everyone.

Secondly, you should do an honest assessment of if your backyard is fitting for a wedding. Is it evenly leveled out? Are there too many trees in the way? Can you afford to pay for the amount of landscaping that may be needed to get it up to par.

Remember, people oftentimes pick indoor spots because of its appearance. When it comes to a backyard wedding, it’s your backyard that will serve as your wedding’s backdrop.

The guest accommodations

The house may have enough bathrooms for the people living in it, but a two-bathroom situation for say, a five-member family, is vastly different than trying to keep a line from forming for 100 wedding guests.

Also, what is the parking situation in the neighborhood going to be like and how are you preparing for a day that’s very hot (portable fans and water bottles), very cool (outdoor power-generated heaters) or even very windy?

You don’t want your guests so uncomfortable or inconvenienced that your day wasn’t memorable for them for the right reasons. You definitely need to make sure that their (basic) needs are met.

The amount of things that you’ll have to rent

Some couples select certain wedding venues because they’re a “one stop shop”; everything that they need is already at the place that they selected (or they have vendors on tap).

But when you’re hosting a wedding at a home, you usually have to rent basically everything that you’ll need for that day from tables and chairs to barware and portable bathrooms. Over time, this could really add up.

So yes, while you may be saving a few thousand dollars by not needing to book a location, you could easily double that cost in all of the items that will be required for your yard.

The neighborhood

It’s a wedding to you, but if it’s not following city permits and guidelines, it will also become a nuisance.

Make sure that you check to see what you’ll legally need to have in place to host your “party” before planning the event. Oh, and remember that you’ll be having lots of people parking in the streets along with dancing and talking for hours on end.

This means that one way or another, your neighbors will be affected, so consider beforehand how you want to handle that situation—whether it’s holding your own little neighborhood community meeting to let them know of your upcoming home-based nuptials or you might even want to consider inviting them as guests for your special day.

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Ceremony Locations for You

Uniqueness begins with the venue.

So where can you go to host your wedding?

What is going to suit your taste and personality?

A wedding is an event that is meant to draw family and friends together.

Let’s look at the following list of five unique wedding locations.

You will find a venue that represents the marriage you hope to have

Backyard

When you want a memorable wedding and you have a tight budget, pick a nice day and hold the festivities in the backyard. This is perfect for a small wedding, and having it on your property allows you to do what you like with it. Head to the local garden store for a gorgeous lattice backdrop and rent chairs from a local company.

A backyard wedding is casual and it gives you some excellent options for creative décor. If you are someone who loves nature, go barefoot down the grassy aisle, or take advantage of the warm season to wear local flowers in your hair.

Barn

If you love the idea of rustic locations and traditional settings, why not consider a barn wedding? A barn wedding is a great choice if you want to get away from the city, and you’ll find that it can offer you some wonderful photo opportunities.

Think about the opportunities for a bonfire or for a dance in a barn setting. If no one in your family has a barn, you can rent one very easily.

Beach

The beach wedding is meant for the couple who loves the sea and the natural world, and it can be as formal or as casual as you like.

A beach wedding can be very convenient if you have a beach in your home city, or it can be a great excuse for a destination wedding. Choose a beach wedding if you love the thought of wearing a flowing summer dress and having the groom and his groomsmen in sandals.

Rented Theme Locations

Theme weddings are becoming much more common and it’s wonderful when you can get a venue to match. For example, if you have decided to have some fun and enjoy a pirate wedding, consider renting out part of a nautical museum.

If you have a theme that involves water or the ocean but there is no beach to be had, head to an aquarium. For the couple that loves the romance of the medieval era, hold your wedding at a castle-like public works building or even in a castle replica if you have one handy.

Historic Homes

There are many mansions out there that can be rented out for weddings, and if you are dedicated to something very formal and elegant, this is the choice for you. Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian mansions tend to be large and spacious, allowing you to hold a large wedding very comfortably. Choose a mansion for truly spectacular photography options.

Choose a wedding venue that is perfect for you. With so many gorgeous wedding venues to choose from, you are sure to find a place that speaks to your heart and the person you are.

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DIY or Hire a Company?

There are so many details that need to be considered when preparing for an upcoming move — and that’s without factoring in everything you’ve done to prepare for tying the knot and everything you still have to do post-wedding.

Finding a new home or apartment, staying in the same city, staying in the same state, getting a new bank, changing your mailing address or last name and all of the other mundane details that come with your move and wedding can be overwhelming.

There are so many details involved with a move and a wedding! Seeking the help of professionals both for your move and your wedding can help ease a lot of the stress you might feel.

Professional moving companies can add an extra expense to your move, but they can also take a lot of the stress out of your move as well.

The pros can help you plan through all the logistics of your move and take most of the work out of it for you so that you can focus on the little things that you need to do to make your transition to your new location as seamless as possible.

Here are five tips to consider when trying to decide on your professional moving company.

Get a visual estimate

This is essential when getting moving quotes. In many states this the only way to get a true not-to-exceed estimate.

Companies will often come to your house for free and take a visual inventory of the furniture and other items and give you a price based on your move.

If you and your fiancé are not living together, consider the cost of having to condense from two locations to one and ask your mover for an estimate on both places.

Find a company that does the packing for you

Professional movers will be able to pack even your most fragile belongings with greater speed and security than you could on your own.

If you’re moving from two locations, you could even hire packers just to help with one location so you two can focus on the other. Sure, you can still help out, but knowing that you have a few extra pairs of helpful hands is a huge relief.

Get multiple quotes

Just like you did some digging to find the perfect wedding planner, get quotes from as many companies as possible so that you can compare their services and prices accordingly.

Shop for moving companies just as you would for any other good or service. Do not just hire the first company that gives you a quote.

Avoid brokers

Brokers will often give a very low estimate to get your business and then find a moving company for you.

When you book through a broker there is no guarantee that the movers will show up on the day that you need them to and the cost of the move could be much higher than your quote at the end. Brokers cannot guarantee you anything when it comes to your move.

Hire reliable movers

Whether you are looking to move locally or long distance it is better to hire a reliable, established moving company with years of experience.

They are much more reliable when it comes to picking up and delivering your stuff. Also, if there are any issues with your move communicating with them and working out the problems is much simpler as well.

Simply put, you get better customer service from a moving company with years of experience that knows the ins and outs of the industry!

Take advantage of these tips to make sure that you hire the correct moving company for your move. It may also be wise to not just take the lowest quote that you get.

A good company may have to charge you a little more because their service is better. This could save you a lot of headaches in the long run — after all you’ve got married life to worry about now!

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TP Napkin Ring

Even the wedding planners spend time trying to figure out the best way for them to be available but not noticed.

But there have been so many advances in the sanitation industry.

Now, portable toilets on your special day isn’t nearly as intimidating as it once was.

In fact, there are even ways in which to decorate portable toilets to blend into the wedding rather than being stationed on the outside.

1. Decorate the outside of the stall – This is the most obvious thing to do. Your best bet is to rent portable toilets that come in white so they blend in better with the existing décor. Afterward, you can drape them in lace and place a wreath on the outside. By blending it in with the existing décor it’s not longer an eyesore.
2. Place a tent area around the stalls – This is one of my favorite ideas. Place all of the stalls close to one another and set up a tent around them. It keeps them shielded and provides your guests with an added sense of privacy.
3. Add scented candles or potpourri – For the interior of the stall, place scented candles or a bowl of potpourri that matches the wedding décor. You can also add flowers from the wedding or place a mirror on the wall of the interior.
4. Upgrade the stall – Renting portable toilets isn’t the place to be frugal. Like it or not, porta-potties are an integral part of an outdoor wedding and it’s definitely a ‘get what you pay for’ item. For the ultimate in porta-potty luxury, consider renting one of the trailer models that come equipped with water-saving faucets, fluorescent lighting, and skylights.
5. String lights around them – This is great for an outdoor wedding that moves into the evening and night. Not only will the lights add a touch of class to the stalls themselves but they will help your guests locate them as the sun goes down.

The most important thing to remember when renting portable toilets for a wedding is to make sure that someone is responsible for them during the event. This isn’t a decoration tip per se, but it’s extremely important.

Make sure that the company you rent your stalls from has 24/7 emergency service and is responsible for stocking paper products and general cleanliness.

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Don't get married on Opening Day!

We have a tendency to elevate America’s past-time to the Nth degree…

Add to this another World Championship, and it’s no surprise weddings at Busch Stadium are very popular in 2012.

There is even talk about making Opening Day a city-wide holiday.

I’m sure no one would argue otherwise, especially not those who spend days camping out for tickets.

So what do you do if you’re a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan and you’re getting married? For many, the answer is simple.

Baseball Wedding theme

Baseball themed weddings are growing in popularity because they allow the bride and groom to personalize their wedding day experience in a way that is truly unique, meaningful, and not to mention, fun!

Many professional ball parks now offer wedding and reception packages and Busch Stadium in St. Louis is no different. But you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to show your love for the game.

Check out these fun ways to incorporate the magic of America’s past-time into your wedding day celebration:

• Use Cracker Jacks or shelled peanuts in bags as reception favors. Of course, you probably wouldn’t want your guests to make a mess of your reception, so handing these out as a parting gift would be your best bet.
• Set up your seating like a playing field and label tables by position. Home plate will represent the head table. If you have more tables than positions, there’s no problem with doubling them up.
• Have your emcee announce your reception entrance like they would at the ballpark. You can really have fun with this one by playing organ music in the background and don’t forget to carry a bat on your shoulder.
• Baseball themed groom’s cakes are always fun. There’s no limit to what you can do with a groom’s cake.
• Your guests can sign a custom jersey, bat, or stack of baseballs as your guest book.
• Serve ballpark themed appetizers like mini hot dogs, nachos, cotton candy, soft pretzels, and Coca Cola Classic in glass bottles.

If you’re having a hard time deciding, here’s proof that a baseball wedding can be very stylish. And these baseball invitations off Etsy are to die for.

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Beware Bridal Scams

Especially when it comes to planning your special day.

But some unscrupulous parties are willing to do exactly that.

If you don’t exercise due diligence, you could find yourself the target of scammers who will not hesitate to take the money and run.

This could ruin your nuptials (and your credit) in the process.

So here are just a few common bridal scams to watch out for and some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim.

Don’t Be a Target

The most important thing to remember is that anyone can be a scammer and they’re looking for unwary and unwise souls to take advantage of.

You need to make sure that you don’t fall into that category and being informed is the first step. For example, did you even consider that you might wind up paying full price at a bridal boutique for a designer gown that is actually a knockoff?

How about hiring a photographer that takes payment and then extorts more money, or a coordinator that overbills you for hours and then tacks a fee onto every purchase he makes on your behalf (in addition to what you’ve agreed to pay)?

Scams come from all directions.

Scams can come at you from all directions. Just look at couples who arrive at their destination wedding only to find that nothing has been paid for. The rooms aren’t booked, there are no vendors in place, and even the marriage license isn’t legal. And the $25,000 they paid has disappeared into the pocket of a wedding planner that is suddenly nowhere to be found.

Or how about limo companies, florists, photographers, and so on that operate online or through 800 numbers? These types of scams are all too common and as soon as they have your credit card info they cannot be reached (and of course, the items you ordered never show up). So how do you avoid these common scams?

Check Wedding Vendors

First you need to carefully check out any vendor you plan to hire. This means visiting their physical location to make sure they actually exist and checking their credentials.

You want to see the actual product you’ll be purchasing (if they cannot produce it, warning bells should start going off). You should ask for references (and then call them), check for complaints with the Better Business Bureau, and find out if they’re listed with a reputable organization such as the National Association of Wedding Professionals (or another entity that screens members for suitability). As a rule it’s probably best to avoid any services that operate solely online or by phone.

Contracts and Payment Arrangements

Further, you should take precautions when it comes to payment. First you should read contracts so that you know exactly what you’re agreeing to, and then you need to fill them out in duplicate so that you have your own original copy (in case you have to file legal proceedings). And never, never pay up front.

It is not uncommon for vendors to ask for a non-refundable down payment (usually a small percentage of your total cost). But do not pay in full until you’ve got products in hand or services rendered. The caterer, florist, photographer, and even coordinator could be out to scam you, so make sure you take the steps necessary to protect yourself and report any suspicious or fraudulent activity to the proper authorities should you encounter it.

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In the past, weddings were over the top and flashy. But the 2012 wedding trends seem to be shifting toward more socially responsible, understated weddings.

Go Green

Green Bouquet

Choosing locally grown flowers, recycled invitations, and repurposing old items to become centerpieces has become a popular style.

Brides are not only saving money, but the environment as well.

Guests are wowed by the bride’s crafty creativity rather than lavish spending, and the environment doesn’t pay the price.

Not all brides are capable of a totally green wedding, but many are including small touches like donations to environmental charities in their guest’s names as their wedding favors or registering for eco-friendly honeymoons.

Vintage Theme

Something old is taking over in 2012. With celebrities embracing old-Hollywood style comes brides embracing vintage everything.

Brides are bringing back just about everything from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s except the puffy sleeved wedding gown.

Thrift stores and antique stores are the shops of choice for the 2012 bride. Seating displays, table settings and decorations are all taking on an aged feel. Achieve this feeling by including a family tradition started by your great grandmother or putting old wedding photos from both of your families on the tables.

Think Outside the Church

More and more couples are opting to be married in a location other than a church.

Outdoor weddings and weddings in interesting locations have become a popular way to make your wedding stand out.

If you are traditional and would like to use a church, try having your reception in a creative space like a museum or park. Often these types of spaces provide their own decoration and ambiance, and the cost of decorating is minimal.

DIY

The 2012 bride is budget conscious and ready to do a few things herself.

More and more we see brides printing invitations, writing place cards and creating centerpieces themselves. If you have the time, and the talent, virtually everything in your wedding can be home made. Although a totally DIY wedding is possible, it isn’t practical for most of us.

Instead of biting off more than you can chew, try taking on just one or two DIY projects to add a personal touch. If you’re not artsy, there are plenty of projects that simply require precision and following directions. Creating a playlist of wedding songs instead of having a DJ, for example, is a great project for someone who isn’t crafty.

The Forever Trend

Of course the lasting trend for weddings no matter the year is to make them your own.

Just as high shoulder pads have come and gone, so will this year’s trends. Settling on a wedding theme that you love is what is most important.

Just because everyone is doing vintage weddings doesn’t mean you have to give up on your Kardashian inspired wedding. Do what you and your husband-to-be feel comfortable with, and you might end up inspiring the next year’s trends!

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If you had to choose only one...

Are you trying to choose between photos or videos?

This can be a difficult decision to have to make.

After all, you probably have a good idea for how you want your wedding.

If you’re like most couples, you operate on a budget.

At some point, you’ll have to prioritize and pare down in order to keep your finances in order.

So when it comes to the question of whether or not you need both a photographer and a videographer on hand to capture the events of this special day, there are several things you’ll want to take into consideration.

What do you really want?

First you should decide if you even want both or if one or the other is preferable.  Many people feel like they have to hire a photographer, but that isn’t necessarily true.

If you really want a video, you may be able to pull stills from it later on.  Although the quality won’t be as good as traditional still photography, images can often be cleaned up using photo editing software.  As long as you’re not aiming for a poster-sized portrait to hang over the mantle, the quality will probably be adequate for your needs.

Of course, others may not like the idea of having every moment immortalized on video, especially if they’re worried about crying jags (pretty common at weddings, especially for the happy couple), fights between in-laws, or the drunken antics of the wedding party.  Video footage detailing every moment of the festivities simply might not appeal to some.

Tough Call

But suppose you are torn; you are equally attracted to the idea of both still photography and videography, but do you really need both?  In truth, there’s really no reason not to cover your bases if you can afford both services and you’ve found a vendor or vendors that you like.

You’re probably not going to be sorry to have more media on hand to choose from when it comes time to select mementos for yourself, your family, and friends.  The only thing that might really stop you here is a lack of suitable service providers or your budget, and both can hold you back.

Although there are many companies and independent artists offering photography and videography services (sometimes both), you may have a hard time finding a vendor that suits your wants and needs.  While references from trusted sources (those you know and love) can certainly help, your requirements may be different from theirs, making their vendors incompatible with your wedding.  You absolutely must find a service that you love and a vendor you get along with or you’re going to end up disappointed.

Over Budget?

And if you are already stretching the limits of your budget, you may have to choose between a photographer and a videographer.  The one you select is really going to depend on your personal preferences, but keep in mind that you can always try to pull still shots from video.

On the other hand, you might be able to get a friend or family member (or several) to provide video footage via consumer video cameras (although the quality probably won’t be as good and you’ll have to arrange for editing and disc copying yourself).  In the end, all you really have to do is lay out your goals and you should be able to decide which avenue of capturing your wedding day is right for you.

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