7 Things to Know Before Planning a Backyard Wedding
The pandemic has played havoc with many a destination weddings and big, fat Indian nuptials. However, couples in love have found a way to save the date and their celebrations by opting for a minimalistic yet regal way to say 'I do' — Backyard Weddings! Saurabh Goswami, director of Ultra Rich Match, says, "Most of our clients are opting for backyard weddings, where they can make the best arrangements despite limitations." Hosting weddings in your own garden or renting domestic venues with outdoor spaces to host such a celebration has ensured that wedding plannings continue without a hitch. Saurabh agrees, “Covid lockdown was a boon in disguise for our clients. It gave them time to actually sit and converse with the potential prospects, rather than just skimming through them, like they used to do before. We finalized a record number of matches in the last few months.” (Image: Greycard Photography)
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Go green
"Avoid the single-use plastics and opt for reusable China or ceramic crockery. Since the wedding is in your own garden you have complete control over the hygiene and cleanliness of the crockery. Avoid too many decorations. You don't want kids accidentally destroying the complete setting!"
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Go Green: Avoid the single use plastics and opt for reusable China / ceramic crockery. Since the wedding is in your own garden you have complete control on hygiene and cleanliness of the crockery. Avoid too much decorations. You don't want kids accidentally destroying the complete setting!
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Garbage disposal
"It may sound silly, but weddings generate a lot of trash. Your staff needs to be well prepared to handle and dispose of the garbage immediately; else it may compromise with the hygiene."
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Staff coordination
"Though the wedding is literally in your ‘own backyard’, don’t become too complacent with the planning. The décor, catering, tent arrangements, music, all still have to be coordinated by you. Make a checklist well in advance and keep updating it daily."
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Fix the backyard
"You might need to get renovation works done for the wedding such as proper paving, trimming the grass and the hedges, cutting any overhanging tree branches, correcting any garden seepage. Make sure there is no chance of any accident during the event."
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Plan the parking
"Once you have taken all permissions, planning the parking is an important step. Since the number of guests is limited, arranging the parking should be much easier, but it's better to be prepared."
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Make sanitization arrangements
"An outdoor wedding, though better than an indoor one during these pandemic times, still require regular and thorough sanitization. Employ a good agency to take care of hygiene before during and after the functions."
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Check the government permits and regulations
"The first and foremost thing to do is to find about the government regulations in your area about arranging a gathering. Things such as the number of people allowed, time restrictions, noise or music restrictions, all have to be found out before you can start planning the functions. Make sure to find out if your society association allows for such functions within the premise and complete the formalities. You don’t want neighbours making complaints on the actual day of the event," he says.
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However, while it may sound easier than planning an elaborate wedding celebration, Saurabh suggests not getting too complacent. Here are his recommendations to keep in mind before planning your perfect backyard wedding.
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Cost-effective, ethereal and versatile, backyard weddings are a popular choice among couples tying the knot amidst the pandemic.
Instead of one or two grand celebrations, couples are arranging 5-6 smaller functions. This allows them to call more people without compromising on social distancing rules. Since the wedding is being arranged in their own backyard, the budget originally meant for the venue can now be utilized on actual events themselves!