No-Debt Nuptials
ask an expert: wedding planningcanada
(Jul.06.10)
I’m planning a backyard wedding. What can I do to glam it up without breaking the bank?
Terry J. emailed us at expert@sweetspot.ca and wedding planner Heidi Allen (from SLICE's Rich Bride Poor Bride) answered;
While there are many pros and cons to backyard weddings, the results are usually spectacular. After all, who said you need a ballroom to have an amazingly elegant wedding?
Typically, the wedding altar should be the focal point of the event. If your backyard has a small gazebo, it can serve that purpose well. A good alternative might be a wedding arbor or pergola, because they are relatively inexpensive and add a lot of visual punch to the altar decoration. If you prefer a backdrop, consider potted trees, urns of flowers, or possibly a row of free-standing patio trellises covered in flowers or greenery.
Some locations require very little decoration while some will need a lot for a glam look. Chairs can be adorned with bows or flowers, simple teapots can be filled with wildflower arrangements, and whimsical hand-painted signs can be used to designate specific areas like parking, washrooms and smoking areas.
Outdoor lighting is a particularly nice addition to an evening backyard wedding. You can use patio lanterns and twinkle lights to adorn any surrounding area from the dance floor to the dining area, or opt for Tiki torches to give your reception a real tropical feel. Sparklers are also a fun idea and a lot easier to use - and MUCH safer- when you're outside.
The best part about a backyard wedding is the food. Want to include your favourite barbecue fare? Go gourmet! Mini burgers with exotic cheeses and toppings, along with grilled fruits and vegetables seasoned to perfection, can really make the meal special. If a buffet is your only option, why not adorn the buffet tables with festive trees made of real fruit? If you want something more than wedding cake, make an ice-cream buffet, or hire someone to scoop cones at the reception.
No matter how basic or extravagant you choose to go with your decorating, your outdoor wedding will be nothing less than spectacular.
With one successful career behind her as an award-winning wedding photographer, Heidi Allen decided to create Weddings Heidi Style in Niagara, Ontario, which included two divisions: a bridal salon and a wedding planning division. Television came knocking in 2005 with an offer to appear as one of the wedding planners on the SLICE Network’s hit wedding show Rich Bride, Poor Bride.
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