Nuptials in the backyard
Backyard weddings provide intimacy and privacy that is different from traditional church weddings. The primary decorating ideas for a backyard wedding focus on flowers and nature. Purple, white and green are often the main colors for backyard weddings. Be certain to plan for ample seating, parking and restroom facilities for your wedding guests. Select a backup location for the service and reception should weather interfere with your backyard wedding plans.
Purple and White Color Scheme
Use the colors purple and white to complement the natural setting of a backyard wedding. Incorporate lavender and white into the decorations, seating and even the flowers used for the wedding. Fill urns and vases with flowers that have purple or lavender color in them such as Bells of Ireland, sweet peas, hydrangeas and purple roses.
Separate Reception and Wedding Areas
Use dividers to separate the reception and wedding areas. Use the same color scheme for both areas. You can set up the reception area before the wedding ceremony. A white picket fence or a double row of tall vases with flowers (see purple and white color scheme section) make beautiful dividers.
Another option is to purchase shepherd's hooks from a garden store. Spray paint the hooks white. String several rows of lavender ribbon between them to separate the reception and ceremony areas for the backyard wedding.
Landscaping for a Backyard Wedding
Hire a professional landscaper to mow, trim hedges, prune trees and provide general cleanup. You want the yard to be spotless and beautiful. Remove fading or wilting flowers from flower beds. Replace with new, blooming, annual flowers to match the wedding color scheme.
Wedding Gazebo
If you have a gazebo in your backyard, convert it into a ceremonial wedding gazebo to use as the focal point and place for the vow exchange. Cover the floor of the gazebo with white rose petals and a green runner. Hang green and ivory wedding garland around the top, along the support columns and around the railings of the gazebo. Another option is to use lavender ribbon.
Wedding Arch
Rent a wedding arch if you don't have a yard gazebo to convert. Wind white tulle fabric and lavender ribbon around the arch. Stand two waist-high vases filled with flowers on both sides of the arch. Another option is to decorate the arch with live or artificial flowers that fit the colors of the wedding. Some brides opt to have the florist do the actual decorating of the rented wedding arch.
Seating Decorations
Cover each chair individually with white linen cloth. Secure the cloth at the chair seam with a piece of lavender or purple ribbon. Line the chairs up for the wedding ceremony area in rows. At the end of each row, add a short vase of appropriate flowers. If you use two rows of chairs for the groom's and bride's sides, put ribbon on the ground to form the aisle. Cover the ground area with rose petals for the bride to walk on toward the wedding gazebo or rented wedding arch.
Tags: Another option, backyard wedding, color scheme, lavender ribbon, with flowers