We previously wrote about the Pros and Cons of having your wedding reception in your own backyard. Here are other things to take into account:

• Some guests may want to spend the night so be prepared for that.

• The caterers should get familiar with your home’s space to make sure everything goes smoothly.

• You need to be prepared for bugs: Mosquitoes, and other bugs, are a nuisance in the summer. They can take away from the experience, so read this to learn tips on how to keep them away from your wedding.

Tip: We all know how hot summer days can get. The heat can make you and your guests uncomfortable, not to mention it can cause the bride’s makeup to melt! So consider having your reception in the evening. It’s best to have your event at 5:00 or 6:00 PM because the day starts to cool down.

The bottom line: If you choose to have a home wedding, you should hire a professional to pull it all together and ease your stress. However, don’t expect it to cost less than a catering hall. Aso, it would be better to keep your guest list small when hosting your event at home.

 

• You are responsible for the maintenance of your own yard: You can end up spending a lot of money by making your backyard beautiful for the wedding. You might want to add extra flowers, or to invest on lawn care. You might consider hiring a landscaping company to make your backyard extra-beautiful for the special event.
• Your backyard is going to take a hit: In case of rain, it is advisable that you get a tent. To support it, you will have to drill holes in your lawn. Also, with over 50 guests walking in your backyard, the grass will get damaged.
• In case of rain, you need to rent a tent: Depending on its size, a tent can be costly. For insurance, you should keep one on hold.

Tip: Most rental companies require a non-refundable deposit of half the total cost of the tent, so you can put it on hold without paying full-price for it.

• You need to make sure you have good lighting: You will have to invest money on lighting, if you don’t have it already. But you can get lighting that adjusts to your budget by taking care of it ahead of time.
• You need to make sure you have enough electricity: You need to make sure you have enough electricity at home for all your wedding reception needs. This includes lighting, bathrooms and any other entertainment that you have included.
• You need to rent a bathroom station: Your house bathroom might not be sufficient for all your guests. As a rule of thumb, if you have more than 125 guests, or if you do not have an easily accessible bathroom, you should bring in portable toilets. They will need access to electricity and water.

Next on the mini-series: Extra tips for an at home wedding reception .

• There isn’t a time limit: Your guests can stay for as long as they want.
• There isn’t a site fee: It’s your home. Instead, you can invest the site fee on sprucing up your yard.
•  You don’t need a property permit: Did you ever dream about getting married in The Hamptons? While this can be a beautiful location for your wedding reception, booking a property in The Hamptons can be time consuming because there is a lot of paper work and permits to file. If you have your wedding at home, you will not need to worry about any of that.

Tip: It’s easier to have a wedding reception at a private estate, so if you know someone who owns property in your ideal location you can ask if you can rent it.

• Electricity is available: You can get electricity from your own lines, but you need to make sure that you have enough electricity for everything you will include on your reception. Otherwise you will need to get a generator.
• The bride can get ready in a comfortable place: I think women are more comfortable getting ready in their bedroom because it is a familiar place. It might help to ease a bride’s nerves to get ready at her own home.
•  It’s your style: You can customize the decoration according to your taste. Most venues on Long Island do not have a casual vibe—they usually have an elegant feel. For example, they are decorated with chandeliers and the like. So if you are looking for a casual venue, your backyard can be the perfect location.
• A backyard wedding is more intimate: The space is smaller, so the couple and the guests are closer to each other.

Next on the mini-series: The cons of having an outdoor wedding reception in your own backyard.

Father’s day is coming up, and June’s sunny weather is perfect for an outdoor celebration.

Here are some Father’s day ideas that can come in handy for other events as well:

Plan ahead: Let your guests know, a week or two in advance, that you will be hosting a Father’s day gathering. This will ensure that most of your guests will attend.

Pick a location: Depending on how many guests will attend your BBQ, you can decide to have it on your backyard, or you can decide to pick a spot at the park, or the beach.

Create a budget: You don’t need to spend a lot of money to enjoy Father’s day. Create a budget, and stick to it. After all, the ambiance of the BBQ is created by the host and the guests.

Plan games and activities: It’s always fun for the family to participate in games, like the blindfolded shoe shuffle, where children and grown-ups can play.

Focus: Make sure you make this event about your dad. You could have some family members say something nice about him, and you should do it too.


Keep yourself organized: It’s best to write down your ideas to avoid losing them. After you are done, you can review your plans and organize them. A checklist helps you make sure you have everything you need for the event’s date.

It’s ok to get help: It can be stressful to plan a family gathering if you feel like you are doing it on your own. Ask friends or other family members to help you. Sometimes people want to help, but they might need you to ask.

Have a plan B: Weather can be unpredictable, so always be prepared to move your event indoors, or under a tent.

Think outside the box: If you prefer to have a buffet on Father’s day, you can try to add different flavors to a basic barbecue by including a Hawaiian suckling pig on the menu. To keep options available to seafood lovers, you can add shrimp cocktails or grilled tuna.

Have fun: Even if something does not go as planned, you should always enjoy your event, not only for yourself but also for your father and your guests. Relax, smile and enjoy the company of your loved ones.