Ideas for a Backyard Wedding (from a New Jersey Calligrapher)

There’s a certain carefree attitude that comes when you are planning an at home or backyard wedding. Until you actually start planning one that is! The truth is, backyard weddings need a lot more planning than initially meets the eye. Whether you are planning a New Jersey micro wedding in the city or a larger affair on a family property outside of the city, there are so many logistics with a home wedding.

As a New Jersey calligrapher for the past seven years, I’d like to say I have some ideas for a backyard wedding! My job is not ONLY to make things pretty (although as you can tell by my business name – that’s certainly a high priority), but also help with the overall flow and feeling of your day. If you are looking for a wedding calligrapher or invitation designer, make sure to get in touch here. I only have a couple spots left for 2021 weddings!

Wedding Signage Ideas for a Backyard Wedding

When it comes to a backyard wedding, your wedding signage needs to be just as functional as it is beautiful. If you’re curious about wedding signage in general, make sure to check out this post here. Unlike a more traditional New Jersey wedding venue, backyard weddings don’t have a natural flow. You need to have a sign outside your property so guests know that they are in the right place. Depending how remote the property is, you might even consider having additional directional signage on country roads. This is all additional to the warm welcome sign you would typically have outside your reception seating (which I recommend personalizing with your name and wedding date).

Other than a welcome sign, you might want to consider additional signage to help guide your guests through the day. Guests feel so cared for when you anticipate their needs ahead of time. Nobody wants to be standing awkwardly wondering what’s next. After the ceremony, I recommend a seating chart and possibly place cards for the backyard wedding reception. If you are not sure what the difference between a seating chart, escort cards, and place cards are, I wrote this post to help break down the industry terms.

Invitation Etiquette for a Backyard Wedding

Is there anything more exciting than getting mail that isn’t a bill? Your wedding invitations not only tell your guests what to expect on your wedding day, they are also the first chance your guests have to really get excited for your wedding day. If you have questions about wedding invitation etiquette, make sure to check out this post here. I also give a few tips on the timeline you want to look at if you plan on hiring a calligrapher or invitation designer. Depending on how far in advance your calligrapher is booking, you might want to start your search up to 6 months before the wedding.

When it comes to your backyard wedding, it’s more important than ever to set the expectations. Backyard weddings can range from casual affairs to stunning black tie estate weddings. More than that, you are going to want to make sure you include a map and clear instructions to where your wedding will be located. Don’t worry – we can make this pretty! Get in touch here if you want to chat about your own backyard wedding invitations.

Making your Wedding More Personalized

Last but not least, don’t forget to include special touches to make your wedding more personalized! A backyard wedding or wedding at a family property can be beautifully nostalgic. You can also include personalized touches through custom table numbers representing places you’ve visited, custom calligraphy vow books, signature cocktail signs. No matter where you have your wedding – backyard or traditional wedding – I always love sentimental and personalized additions to a wedding day. It’s kind of in the job description as a calligrapher to love hand written touches.

Planning a Backyard Wedding in New Jersey

If you are currently planning a backyard wedding in New Jersey, first can I just send a big Congratulations? Planning a wedding is such an exciting time and despite the craziness of the last year, it’s nice to start to feel nothing but excitement again. If you are just at the beginning of your backyard wedding planning and aren’t sure where to start, check out this post about choosing your wedding decor (I talk about four different wedding day styles and how you can mix them for a unique style!).

If you are ready to book your wedding day signage, invitations, or a custom wedding calligraphy project, make sure to contact me by clicking the button below! I would love nothing more than to connect and chat about your wedding day.