Planning a Backyard Rehearsal Dinner at Home? Here's What You Need to Know
By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting
Backyard rehearsal dinners are a charming, casual way to kick off your wedding festivities with an extra personal touch. The intimate setting offers a unique, relaxed ambiance that is hard to find at a traditional restaurant, banquet hall, or other typical venue! It’s easy to source personal elements from your home, such as family heirlooms or handmade decorations that reflect your style.
However, like any event, a successful backyard rehearsal dinner requires thoughtful planning and preparation to pull it off without a hitch. From weather woes to capacity concerns, you’ll have to put in some extra forethought — but the result is often well worth the effort. If you’re up to the challenge, here are six tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable evening for everyone involved.
Photo Credit: Jenny DeMarco Photography
Don't get stressed - get Let's Get Rehearsed’s FREE rehearsal dinner guide packed full of everything you need to plan a welcome party, from saving money to celebrating the night before the big day!
Start with your budget
You may not have to worry about venue fees, but you’ll likely need to be even more detailed with your budget for a backyard rehearsal dinner. So before setting anything into motion, Brittani Adams-Perret of Unique Weddings New Orleans recommends first sitting down and creating a realistic budget.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For some more advice on budget, check out “Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Budget: How Much & Who Pays?” and our top 6 tips to save money on your wedding rehearsal dinner.)
“Sometimes people choose home events thinking it will be cheaper, but that isn't always the case,” she explains. “Rentals, tent, and food can add up quickly, so do your research before committing.”
Depending on the size and scale of your rehearsal dinner, you’ll also need to consider the expense of renting facilities and equipment that are typically included with a traditional venue. For example, portable restrooms, dumpsters, kitchen appliances, and generators all come at a cost — and those price tags can add up!
Backyard rehearsal dinners are best for those who want a comfortable and personalized experience but not necessarily at a low cost. Make sure you can financially accommodate a backyard celebration before pulling the trigger!
Do your research
Depending on where you live, you may need approval from your local government, neighborhood board, or homeowners association before throwing an event.
Alternatively, “you might need to buy additional insurance for a short period of time to cover incidentals with the number of guests on your property and the service and consumption of alcohol,” explains Loni Peterson of LP Creative Events.
Each jurisdiction is different, so check with your local officials first. They can notify you of required permits, noise ordinances, fire codes, parking restrictions, and other elements that may influence the outcome of your rehearsal dinner.
Photo credit: Jessica K Feiden Photography
Consider the required infrastructure
While a standard event venue is designed to accommodate hundreds of people, your backyard probably isn’t equipped for such a head count. Depending on the size of your guest list, you’ll likely need to bring in equipment to ensure a safe, comfortable experience.
Power Needs
First and foremost, Craig Peterman of Craig Peterman Photography & Videography encourages couples to consider renting a generator. “Electrical needs will be pushed to the max with lighting and entertainment,” he explains. Work with your vendor team to determine the output capacity needed to run lighting, sound systems, fans, cooking appliances, and anything else that requires power.
Waste Disposal
With a restaurant or other venue, you don’t have to think about where your guests’ trash is going. But in a backyard, waste disposal is a significant factor you don’t want to overlook! “Ensure trash bins are placed in appropriate locations, away from key areas like the ceremony aisle,” Peterman urges. If you expect many guests, you can rent additional trash and recycling bins. You may also want to call your local waste management department to ask about fees for picking up extra trash.
Parking
Your driveway may accommodate several cars, but you’ll need far more than that if you expect 15 or more people to attend. “Ensure the property hosting your rehearsal dinner has enough space for your guests to park,” confirms Casey Cannon of EBJ & Company. She recommends encouraging guests to ride share to the event if parking is a challenge.
Restrooms
Last but certainly not least, don’t forget about restrooms! “Will your facilities on site be able to accommodate your guest count, or would you need to rent portable restrooms and place them outdoors?” Adams-Perret poses. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about unsightly porta-potties ruining your photos! “The new trailer options are really great and can be very nice when added,” she adds.
An experienced event planner can help source the necessary equipment to transform your backyard into party central, so don’t feel like you have to figure it out alone!
Mind the weather
A bit of sun or rain never hurt anyone, but it can mean trouble for well-laid event plans. If you’re planning a backyard rehearsal dinner during the summer, you must account for how heat will affect your guests’ comfort and your event’s decor.
Joan Wyndrum of Blooms by the Box notes that flowers can wilt in direct sunlight and heat, spoiling your rehearsal dinner look. To avoid this problem, “select flowers that can withstand outdoor conditions, such as greenery, wildflowers, daisies, sunflowers, or any mix of colorful, seasonal blooms,” she says.
For guests, Jen Sulak of Weirdo Weddings recommends “misting fans for those summery moments.” In colder months, “you may want to bring space heaters for those chilly evenings,” she adds.
In addition to temperature, it’s also wise to consider wind prevention. Otherwise, you may find your beautiful decor flying around the tent! “Flowers low to the table with a large base have the lowest risk of being blown over if the backyard gets a bit gusty during the festivities,” says Michelle Maslowski of One of a Kind Events.
In any case, be sure to have a rain plan that includes a clear-top tent or an indoor backup option. You can cross your fingers that it won’t rain, but it never hurts to have a plan B!
Photo credit: Jessica K Feiden Photography
Trust the professionals
Opening your home to your loved ones is already a meaningful gesture; there’s no need to overextend yourself by DIYing the rest of the event! While you could get away with minimal support for a restaurant rehearsal dinner, you’ll need the extra help navigating the intricacies of planning a backyard celebration.
Hiring a planner allows you to delegate most of the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to worry about coordinating with vendors, renting equipment, or setting up on the day itself. Plus, you have plenty of wedding planning on your hands — there’s no need to add even more pressure to pull off a flawless backyard rehearsal dinner!
The same goes for food. “This is not a time for making a homemade meal,” asserts Kelsey Strickland of Twickenham House and Hall. “Catering is a good option if you have dietary restrictions. Celiac and severe allergies are not a joke. They are very real dangers if not properly prepared to treat. It is best to let someone else handle the catering.”
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For some more advice on professionals, check out “Do We Need To Hire Vendors For Our Wedding Rehearsal Dinner?” and our advice about how to hire the right vendors)
If you want to add a personal touch, focus on picking out decor or creating a playlist. But for all the major elements, let the pros handle it! If you’ve already hired vendors for your wedding, check if they’re available to help with your rehearsal dinner.
Make the most of your setup
You’ve gone to so much trouble, and all for one night? Not necessarily! If you plan to have more than one wedding-related event, wedding photographer Melani Lust suggests doubling up on your backyard celebrations.
(Let’s Get Rehearsed editor’s note: For more on decor, check out these wedding decorations you’ll love!)
“I've seen families use their Friday rehearsal dinner setup for their Sunday brunch send-off, and it's worked beautifully,” she shares. “All the details are already in place, you have the rentals already, so why not make great use of them a second time around?”
If you have leftover decor from the wedding, ask your planner to save it for your post-wedding events. Again, relying on professional support makes the process much easier, so trust your vendors to handle the transition smoothly.
While a backyard rehearsal dinner may require additional considerations, the potential for a personalized, intimate celebration makes it an appealing choice for many couples. And when you’re looking to set the stage for your upcoming nuptials, what better place to do it than from the comfort of your home?
Don't get stressed - get Let's Get Rehearsed’s FREE rehearsal dinner guide packed full of everything you need to plan a welcome party, from saving money to celebrating the night before the big day!
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Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.