shigidigi
Shiny_Rock
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Backyard or outdoor wedding with tent rental?
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zoebartlett
Super_Ideal_Rock
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Hi Shi,
Funny you should mention this now. I''ve been considering this option myself. We have actually changed our minds though and we''re going with a venue that has both indoor and outdoor services/facilities. A friend of our family is getting married in a few weeks in her parents'' backyard, and they''re renting a tent and hiring a caterer. My mom is sort of acting as wedding coordinator for them, so she knows all the pricing info., etc. Do you have any specific questions? If I don''t know the answer, I can find out for you.
Funny you should mention this now. I''ve been considering this option myself. We have actually changed our minds though and we''re going with a venue that has both indoor and outdoor services/facilities. A friend of our family is getting married in a few weeks in her parents'' backyard, and they''re renting a tent and hiring a caterer. My mom is sort of acting as wedding coordinator for them, so she knows all the pricing info., etc. Do you have any specific questions? If I don''t know the answer, I can find out for you.
shigidigi
Shiny_Rock
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Thanks ZoeB! I guess I was curious to see if most people put everything under the tent if the ceremony and reception were outside.
To save money I thought it would be best to reuse the chairs from the ceremony (if at a different place in the backyard) and bring them over to the tables for the reception (or just have everyone sit at the tables for the ceremony as well). Do most people fit tables as well as a dance floor inside a tent or do they have separate areas for food, bar, etc? It''s very confusing.
Also, what about lighting? Do people purchase lighting for the tent from the rental company or can you buy christmas lights and soft fabric to attach to the tent yourself?
I figure price differs from state to state so that would be something I would just have to ask around. Phew- that''s probably only the beginning of my questions! Thanks for offering to try to answer these- I really appreciate it!
It''s nice to know you were thinking about the backyard idea too.
To save money I thought it would be best to reuse the chairs from the ceremony (if at a different place in the backyard) and bring them over to the tables for the reception (or just have everyone sit at the tables for the ceremony as well). Do most people fit tables as well as a dance floor inside a tent or do they have separate areas for food, bar, etc? It''s very confusing.
Also, what about lighting? Do people purchase lighting for the tent from the rental company or can you buy christmas lights and soft fabric to attach to the tent yourself?
I figure price differs from state to state so that would be something I would just have to ask around. Phew- that''s probably only the beginning of my questions! Thanks for offering to try to answer these- I really appreciate it!
It''s nice to know you were thinking about the backyard idea too.
littlelysser
Brilliant_Rock
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I am having an outdoor wedding and we are renting tents.
We are having approx. 50 ppl, and we rented a 20x40 tent and a 20x20 tent. We''ll eat under the 20x40 tent, dance and hang out under the smaller one. We also rented chairs, tables, linens, etc.
We are getting married in my friends'' backyard - so we don''t have to pay for the location...but I''ve found the whole thing to be pretty reasonable...
We are having approx. 50 ppl, and we rented a 20x40 tent and a 20x20 tent. We''ll eat under the 20x40 tent, dance and hang out under the smaller one. We also rented chairs, tables, linens, etc.
We are getting married in my friends'' backyard - so we don''t have to pay for the location...but I''ve found the whole thing to be pretty reasonable...
neatfreak
Super_Ideal_Rock
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We considered this in MA. But once we added up the costs of renting chairs, tables, linens, dance floors, tents, catering stuff, china, glasses, etc., it came to almost $4,000!!! For 100 people! Without food or flowers! And that was with basic everything with the exception of wood chairs instead of plastic.
Depending on the size of your wedding I think it can turn into a nightmare to try and DIY to save money...
Depending on the size of your wedding I think it can turn into a nightmare to try and DIY to save money...
zoebartlett
Super_Ideal_Rock
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Okay, here''s what I just found out. I made a quick call to my mom, but she couldn''t chat for long, so this is the best I could do.
Chairs: it depends on what the the tone of the wedding is. If guests would be up for carrying over their chairs after the ceremony and helping to set them around the tables, you''d probably save money and the burden of having 2 sets of chairs, at ~$1.50 a piece.
I would assume it would be easier for guests to see the ceremony from the lawn, not the tent.
Tables, chairs, and yes, a dance floor are typically under the tent at a tented reception. It depends on how big of a tent you want, but at my sister''s wedding, they also had a band, a dessert buffet table, and bar under the tent (as well as the tables, chairs, and dance floor). Their food was served just outside the tent -- various types of kabobs and accompaniments (sp?). It was buffet style, so guests served themselves, but there were wait staff to help. The chef at the wedding also had a tent for food, etc. He used that tent for himself, his prep cooks, and the wait staff. It was a much smaller tent than my sister had. I''m not sure if this is how it''s typically done though.
I''d probably check with the tent people to make sure you can attach lights and fabric to the tent. I personally don''t see anything wrong with it but I''d run it by them, just in case they have any issues, specifically fire hazards. I can''t remember if my sister''s tent had plants/trees with Christmad lights. I know I''ve seen them before but it might just have been magazine pictures I''ve seen.
THat''s all I have for now. Let me know if you have other questions and I"ll see if I can get answers for you.
Chairs: it depends on what the the tone of the wedding is. If guests would be up for carrying over their chairs after the ceremony and helping to set them around the tables, you''d probably save money and the burden of having 2 sets of chairs, at ~$1.50 a piece.
I would assume it would be easier for guests to see the ceremony from the lawn, not the tent.
Tables, chairs, and yes, a dance floor are typically under the tent at a tented reception. It depends on how big of a tent you want, but at my sister''s wedding, they also had a band, a dessert buffet table, and bar under the tent (as well as the tables, chairs, and dance floor). Their food was served just outside the tent -- various types of kabobs and accompaniments (sp?). It was buffet style, so guests served themselves, but there were wait staff to help. The chef at the wedding also had a tent for food, etc. He used that tent for himself, his prep cooks, and the wait staff. It was a much smaller tent than my sister had. I''m not sure if this is how it''s typically done though.
I''d probably check with the tent people to make sure you can attach lights and fabric to the tent. I personally don''t see anything wrong with it but I''d run it by them, just in case they have any issues, specifically fire hazards. I can''t remember if my sister''s tent had plants/trees with Christmad lights. I know I''ve seen them before but it might just have been magazine pictures I''ve seen.
THat''s all I have for now. Let me know if you have other questions and I"ll see if I can get answers for you.
zoebartlett
Super_Ideal_Rock
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Ditto in NH. I think many people think you can save money by having a tented wedding but it doesn''t happen often. I know my parents went WAY above what they were thinking. Shi, I''d recommend getting prices for everything together and then just seeing what you need to have and what is considered a splurge. Obviously it depends on what one''s budget is, but I think they (tents) can be lovely. We chose not to have one because of the unpredictable New England weather. We knew we wanted to be safe either way, regarding the weather, rain, heat, and humidity included. At the place we''ve decided on, it''s not a big deal to change our outdoor ceremony to an indoor one.
labbielove
Brilliant_Rock
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shigidigi
Shiny_Rock
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Thanks littlelysser and neatfreak! And ZoeB- you are too cute for calling your mom on my behalf! Thanks so much!
We''ve rented two cabins (one is really a huge house and the other is a 2br/2ba cabin) for our immediate family and bridal party to stay in- this is in Asheville. I live in Cali so this has been a huge pain logistically to plan from so far away- I am gonna have to make a trip later on this year to meet with everyone in person.
Anyway, between the two houses is a gorgeous lawn area with a creek and a bridge running over the creek nearby. We decided that it would be a great location to have both the ceremony and reception outside. This will be in mid April and so the weather should still be really nice and not hot yet. I wanted a tent for the idea of weather in case it got rainy or if it did turn out hot.
We found some great caterers that are really low in price- I am thinking heavy hors d''oeuvres instead of sit down meal, but I want to make sure there is enough room for everything. Oh, and I should mention this is for a total of 60 people, so it is relatively small.
granted, it is the renting of EVERYTHING that drives up the price, but I am going to at least see how much this might cost all together before looking at other locations for the reception.
Littlelysser- I love the idea of having the dance floor under a smaller tent. I am going to have to check into that.
I guess it makes sense why I see so few backyard weddings because this is really intense, I just dont see myself doing a hotel or hall type of reception- but that''s just me. And as you all saw a few days ago- my sister is also getting married (and before me!) and so I am trying to make this different from hers all the while trying to keep it quiet as to not steal her thunder.
Thanks for everyone''s help.
Anyone else planning a home wedding?
We''ve rented two cabins (one is really a huge house and the other is a 2br/2ba cabin) for our immediate family and bridal party to stay in- this is in Asheville. I live in Cali so this has been a huge pain logistically to plan from so far away- I am gonna have to make a trip later on this year to meet with everyone in person.
Anyway, between the two houses is a gorgeous lawn area with a creek and a bridge running over the creek nearby. We decided that it would be a great location to have both the ceremony and reception outside. This will be in mid April and so the weather should still be really nice and not hot yet. I wanted a tent for the idea of weather in case it got rainy or if it did turn out hot.
We found some great caterers that are really low in price- I am thinking heavy hors d''oeuvres instead of sit down meal, but I want to make sure there is enough room for everything. Oh, and I should mention this is for a total of 60 people, so it is relatively small.
granted, it is the renting of EVERYTHING that drives up the price, but I am going to at least see how much this might cost all together before looking at other locations for the reception.
Littlelysser- I love the idea of having the dance floor under a smaller tent. I am going to have to check into that.
I guess it makes sense why I see so few backyard weddings because this is really intense, I just dont see myself doing a hotel or hall type of reception- but that''s just me. And as you all saw a few days ago- my sister is also getting married (and before me!) and so I am trying to make this different from hers all the while trying to keep it quiet as to not steal her thunder.
Thanks for everyone''s help.
Anyone else planning a home wedding?
zoebartlett
Super_Ideal_Rock
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Littlelysser, I love that idea also.
You''re not the only one, Shi. I couldn''t see myself getting married in a hotel or hall either. I''ll be helping out (AKA babysitting) for my family friend who is getting married in her parents'' backyard. I''ll keep note of certain things and let you know what I noticed afterwards. Is there anything specific you want to know about?
neatfreak
Super_Ideal_Rock
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In Asheville the prices might be significantly lower than what I''ve said. I was talking in the Berkshires in MA, which is a very popular wedding destination.
You really really would want to consider hiring a wedding planner if you''re going to have a home event though. Otherwise you might spend your whole day dealing with all the vendors yourself. \
Best of luck!
You really really would want to consider hiring a wedding planner if you''re going to have a home event though. Otherwise you might spend your whole day dealing with all the vendors yourself. \
Best of luck!
shigidigi
Shiny_Rock
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rainbowtrout
Ideal_Rock
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I''m having a backyard wedding in Dunstable, MA. It does look like for 50 people all the rentals, etc will run at LEAST 1k. I''m thinking of a 20x40 tent with hanging out/eating picnic tables, a buffet, and a dance floor/speakers. The desert table I think we''re putting just outside the main tent under its own little awning
I decided on a tent because people are just more comfy with a little shade and it makes a big difference in terms of ambiance, comfort, everything.
Wooden chairs, either re-use or the picnic tables I hope we can find eliminate the need.
As it gets closer we may cut things like a dance floor.
If you can afford it GET A PLANNER. I am a little worried about dealing with all the vendors. It''s going to be a very labor-intensive wedding.
I decided on a tent because people are just more comfy with a little shade and it makes a big difference in terms of ambiance, comfort, everything.
Wooden chairs, either re-use or the picnic tables I hope we can find eliminate the need.
As it gets closer we may cut things like a dance floor.
If you can afford it GET A PLANNER. I am a little worried about dealing with all the vendors. It''s going to be a very labor-intensive wedding.
rainbowtrout
Ideal_Rock
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Jas12
Ideal_Rock
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I really wanted to do a tent reception at my ''in laws to be'' home on a lake. I did all the leg-work, pricing it, planning, scrutinizing. But ultimately decided to go away to a resort. It was just SO much work and way, way too much to think about in addition to being just as expensive as a traditonal reception.
I think if you are a top-notch planner, love taking on huge projects and will accept lots of help--you can pull it off and it will be amazing. But think it through carefully before deciding b/c it is a whole different level of organization.
Some things to think about:
1) bathrooms (port potties etc.)
2) bugs/wind/grass ''flooring''--floor rental was insanely expensive
3) transportation for guests (you may be responsible --as a host-- for drinking and driving--this is the case in canada)
4) power
5) kitchen for caterer
6) parking
7) noise by-laws
I think if you are a top-notch planner, love taking on huge projects and will accept lots of help--you can pull it off and it will be amazing. But think it through carefully before deciding b/c it is a whole different level of organization.
Some things to think about:
1) bathrooms (port potties etc.)
2) bugs/wind/grass ''flooring''--floor rental was insanely expensive
3) transportation for guests (you may be responsible --as a host-- for drinking and driving--this is the case in canada)
4) power
5) kitchen for caterer
6) parking
7) noise by-laws
havernell
Brilliant_Rock
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- Nov 10, 2006
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Jas added some of the things that I found needed to be rented if you have an outdoor/tent reception that you may not realize at first. Here are more details on some of them.
If you need to rent bathrooms, the nice "executive coach" trailer bathrooms are $1500+ in my area (central NY). The construction worker plastic porta potties are clearly a lot less expensive, but I can''t see asking my grandmother to go in one of those all night, you know?
Caterers need their own seperate tent for food prep as well as convection ovens, warming ovens, burners/grills (depending on your menu), etc... Basically you rent them a kitchen.
If it rains for a few days before your tent goes up the ground may be wet, so renting a floor may be something you want to conisder if you don''t want your guests sloggig through the mud (yuck). Like Jas mentioned, these can be very expensive. I was told from $2000 (for painted plywood) to $20,000 (for top of the line stuff)!!
No matter who provides the lighting, you may need to rent a generator to power the lights, music speakers, caterer equiptment, etc... Also, if its hotter or cooler than expected on your day you may need to rent air conditioners or heaters.
So, as you can see there are A LOT of random things you need to rent when you do a tent reception. It can obviously be done, and your caterer and the rental company staff will help you determine what you need to rent for your specific location/ menu. But, you do need to carefully consider all of the costs involved to make sure they don''t break your budget!
Good luck with it all!
If you need to rent bathrooms, the nice "executive coach" trailer bathrooms are $1500+ in my area (central NY). The construction worker plastic porta potties are clearly a lot less expensive, but I can''t see asking my grandmother to go in one of those all night, you know?
Caterers need their own seperate tent for food prep as well as convection ovens, warming ovens, burners/grills (depending on your menu), etc... Basically you rent them a kitchen.
If it rains for a few days before your tent goes up the ground may be wet, so renting a floor may be something you want to conisder if you don''t want your guests sloggig through the mud (yuck). Like Jas mentioned, these can be very expensive. I was told from $2000 (for painted plywood) to $20,000 (for top of the line stuff)!!
No matter who provides the lighting, you may need to rent a generator to power the lights, music speakers, caterer equiptment, etc... Also, if its hotter or cooler than expected on your day you may need to rent air conditioners or heaters.
So, as you can see there are A LOT of random things you need to rent when you do a tent reception. It can obviously be done, and your caterer and the rental company staff will help you determine what you need to rent for your specific location/ menu. But, you do need to carefully consider all of the costs involved to make sure they don''t break your budget!
Good luck with it all!
rainbowtrout
Ideal_Rock
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Just to point out one thing: if the house itself is big enough you can get away with a lot of not-renting.
Example: we are having 50-60 guests, the house has 3 bathrooms. we can put a little note on the program or tell people while they arrive or something.
the house has a large, well equipped kitchen: no need to rent a kitchen.
drunk driving=no or minimal alcohol at the lunch reception.
I haven''t thought what we''ll do if it suddenly pours the day of--current plan is we huddle in the house--once again, big enough to hold all the people, if spread out over a few rooms, and call it an "experience." Basically renting a whole floor is just not an option for our budget, so into the house it is!
Example: we are having 50-60 guests, the house has 3 bathrooms. we can put a little note on the program or tell people while they arrive or something.
the house has a large, well equipped kitchen: no need to rent a kitchen.
drunk driving=no or minimal alcohol at the lunch reception.
I haven''t thought what we''ll do if it suddenly pours the day of--current plan is we huddle in the house--once again, big enough to hold all the people, if spread out over a few rooms, and call it an "experience." Basically renting a whole floor is just not an option for our budget, so into the house it is!
littlelysser
Brilliant_Rock
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- Dec 8, 2005
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It is 82 days until my backyard wedding and I''m SUPER excited.
We are doing it in my friends'' backyard...so I think that counts as an at home wedding? right?
Now, we are doing a BBQ...so we are going to provide plastic plates and stuff...we are going to have to purchase that stuff independently...so no china, silverware, etc, included in our total.
But for us, it looks like we are going to be able to do seating for 50 (on nice padded chairs), two tents, 8 round tables, two buffet tables, linens, etc. for about $1500. We are also renting an electronic dj machine...
We are going to do our flowers ourselves...and the table clothes are each going to be a different color of the rainbow! Parking isn''t going to be a problem and my friends'' house has three bathrooms.
I guess that I decided on the backyard wedding so as to avoid the need for a wedding planner, caterers, etc...the food is going to be provided by a company that does amazing bbq - they work at local arts festivals and before steelers games - which will be cooked on a big black grill with some yummy BBQ on it, another friend is making her fabulous side dishes, including greens, mac ''n cheese, baked beans...another friend is making our wedding cake. It is going to be a group project!
As for the lighting...we haven''t figured that out yet. We are getting married at 4:30. Then going right to the chowing down and hanging out...I believe the place we are getting the tents also offers globe lights and that sort of thing that you can hang...
We are going to bring some chairs over for the ceremony...I''ve got TWO girlfriends that are both going to be abut 81/2 months preggo at the wedding...and they would probably appreciate sitting down.
I''m not very worried at this point...I don''t know why...probably because this is going to be a super simple wedding with some great food, great friends and close family...
I guess, and I''ve totally said the before, I am really viewing this a big old labor day bbq where my FI and I also happen to get married. Oh, and I''ll be wearing a faboo dress with my hair all cute!
Don''t know if that was any help at all!
We are doing it in my friends'' backyard...so I think that counts as an at home wedding? right?
Now, we are doing a BBQ...so we are going to provide plastic plates and stuff...we are going to have to purchase that stuff independently...so no china, silverware, etc, included in our total.
But for us, it looks like we are going to be able to do seating for 50 (on nice padded chairs), two tents, 8 round tables, two buffet tables, linens, etc. for about $1500. We are also renting an electronic dj machine...
We are going to do our flowers ourselves...and the table clothes are each going to be a different color of the rainbow! Parking isn''t going to be a problem and my friends'' house has three bathrooms.
I guess that I decided on the backyard wedding so as to avoid the need for a wedding planner, caterers, etc...the food is going to be provided by a company that does amazing bbq - they work at local arts festivals and before steelers games - which will be cooked on a big black grill with some yummy BBQ on it, another friend is making her fabulous side dishes, including greens, mac ''n cheese, baked beans...another friend is making our wedding cake. It is going to be a group project!
As for the lighting...we haven''t figured that out yet. We are getting married at 4:30. Then going right to the chowing down and hanging out...I believe the place we are getting the tents also offers globe lights and that sort of thing that you can hang...
We are going to bring some chairs over for the ceremony...I''ve got TWO girlfriends that are both going to be abut 81/2 months preggo at the wedding...and they would probably appreciate sitting down.
I''m not very worried at this point...I don''t know why...probably because this is going to be a super simple wedding with some great food, great friends and close family...
I guess, and I''ve totally said the before, I am really viewing this a big old labor day bbq where my FI and I also happen to get married. Oh, and I''ll be wearing a faboo dress with my hair all cute!
Don''t know if that was any help at all!
shigidigi
Shiny_Rock
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Rainbowtrout, you and Jas make very good points. Luckily, we have 6.5 bathrooms for the 60 people who will probably be there- and if 3 is plenty of Littlelysser''s group, then we should be fine too!
Littlelysser I am so excited to hear about your wedding. It sounds like it is going to be amazing. We are think of heavy hors d''oeuvres but I am sooo tempted to do the plastic plates/silverware idea. It''s just so much easier on the clean up. Plus it would eliminate the need for a rented kitchen since everything could be prepared off site and just brought in. Would that be awful- real glasses but plastic eating stuff? I dont want to seem cheap, but this is also going to be outdoors and will not be some sort of black tie affair. I want everyone to feel comfortable and have a great time, eat good food and dance. site and just brought in.
Littlelysser, you''ll have to promise to post some photos after your wedding so I can see how wonderful everything turned out (and what the tents looked like too!)
Littlelysser I am so excited to hear about your wedding. It sounds like it is going to be amazing. We are think of heavy hors d''oeuvres but I am sooo tempted to do the plastic plates/silverware idea. It''s just so much easier on the clean up. Plus it would eliminate the need for a rented kitchen since everything could be prepared off site and just brought in. Would that be awful- real glasses but plastic eating stuff? I dont want to seem cheap, but this is also going to be outdoors and will not be some sort of black tie affair. I want everyone to feel comfortable and have a great time, eat good food and dance. site and just brought in.
Littlelysser, you''ll have to promise to post some photos after your wedding so I can see how wonderful everything turned out (and what the tents looked like too!)
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