iso wedding planner specializing in backyard weddings...

I would try looking on the Vendor tab. Also, just as a heads up, backyard weddings often end up being much more expensive then a traditional venue because you have to build up everything from scratch. Depending on your guest list you will likely have to rent port-a-potties, tables, chairs, tents etc.

Where are you located

Try the vendor tab and Googling for a coordinator in your area.

Backyard weddings can be a lot of work, but they're doable. My husband and I had a backyard wedding at our home in 2015 Things to keep in mind...

- It probably won't end up being much less expensive than a venue.
- You are responsible for EVERYTHING... Tent, tables, chairs, linens, dinnerware, lighting, generators, bathrooms/restroom trailers, heat (very important!!!), fans/air conditioning (also very important! Heat/AC depends on time of year), etc.
- Make sure to determine good placement of everything... You don't want the guests to have to trek really far through the field/yard to get to the restroom... Also take into account the terrain and bumps (our yard looks flat, but it really had lots of bumps to it!).
- Catering/bartending is on you, so find reputable vendors.
- Make sure you have adequate and relatively close parking.
- People will want to go in your house (if the ceremony/reception is close by)! Make sure you are prepared to deal with that beforehand (do you care? If you want them to stay out, make sure to put a sign or other means up to let guests know).
- Hire a day of coordinater! Ours was definitely one of the best expenses we had
- Because it's on your property, you just don't want to have to deal with guest questions the day of - and there will be plenty of little things that you know, because it's your place, but guests will ask/have to figure out.
- Have chairs, do not use hay bales as seats - people have allergies to hay and the bales are very uncomfortable to sit on. I admit I wanted them, but we did not get them, and it was a good decision not to. In addition to the general need for chairs, you probably should get two sets of chairs... Ceremony location chairs and reception chairs (unless people are sitting at tables to watch the ceremony). We considered having one set of chairs and us/family/friends/guests moving the chairs to the reception location after the ceremony. Ultimately, I decided to just get two sets (a "cheaper" set for the ceremony, and nicer, sturdier, white ones for the reception). I'm glad we did that so we didn't have to bother guests with that.
- The catering company may have to use your kitchen in your home. Ours did. All companies may not, but some might, so this is something to consider.
- We considered renting a sound system and just using an iPod, but we didn't want the hassle or to worry about it malfunctioning, so we found a DJ who gave us an excellent deal for JUST playing music (he did end up emceeing a little, but we hired him solely to play music and make sure it flowed/didn't mess up).

A backyard wedding is definitely possible, and I don't know how much more stressful a backyard wedding is compared to a venue wedding, because my husband and I started planning backyard from the beginning. Just remember there are a lot of details you have to cover since you're building it from the ground up.

Here are some expenses from our wedding :
Tent, Tent Sides, Heat, Lights, Extension Cords = $1973.08
White Chairs, Tan Chairs, Tables, Generators, Grill, Coffee Urn (60-cup) = $768.90
Restroom Trailer (nice restrooms, not port-a-potties) = $1121
Day-of Coordinator (and she gave me a steal of a deal!) = $360
That right there is over $4200. That doesn't include ANY decor or any other vendors (photographer, DJ, caterer, etc.). Catering was $4685. Alcohol is not included in that catering cost.

Like I said, backyard weddings are completely doable, but they are by no means less expensive. Our wedding all said and done including every last detail came to $21,161.77. We had 90 guests (11 of which were kids).

View Quoted Comment Rachel,
Thank you so much, your advice is much appreciated! $20,000 is kind of the ballpark budget I have in mind so this will be super helpful.

View Quoted Comment Watertown, WI

View Quoted Comment You're welcome! I'm glad you have a realistic budget. Sometimes people think backyard wedding and assume it will only be a couple thousand dollars. Good luck and have fun planning!

View Quoted Comment Was your day-of coordinator near the Milwaukee area? I'm trying to find help but everyone I've spoken to is above $800, which is far out of my price-range. Any suggestions on affordable companies for day-of coordination and for bartending would be appreciated