Couples who medal together, stay together.
Updated Jul 16, 202417 Backyard BBQ Wedding Ideas to Spice Up Your Celebration
Nail the relaxed vibe.
A backyard BBQ wedding can be a great way to celebrate your love with your loved ones from the comfort of home. However, just because you'll be celebrating in a familiar venue doesn't mean that you miss out on the elements you'd receive if you'd take your festivities elsewhere—it just means that you have to bring them to you. That said, there are many ways you can use your backyard to your advantage when celebrating and many additions you can bring in with regard to catering, decoration and invitations to elevate your big day.
To gather some ideas about how you can make your backyard BBQ wedding a great one, we spoke with Kristy Barrett, Florida-based wedding planner at Worry Knot: Wedding and Events, Michigan-based certified wedding planner Tracie Morris of You're The Bride, Ali Phillips, Chicago-based wedding planner and president of Engaging Events by Ali and AJ Williams, founder and events designer of AJ Events.
How to Plan a Backyard Barbecue Wedding
When figuring out how to plan a backyard wedding, there are planning a backyard barbecue wedding there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration. Williams notes that the most important factors to consider are the home layout and how any equipment and large pieces of furniture (if you plan on having any) will be able to be properly transported out to your backyard. She also notes that asking your caterer any questions ahead of time is essential to ensure you won't encounter any surprises (or surprise bills) following your big day. She adds that this is also the time to decide if you will have a catering staff or any other event staff present on your wedding day.
Once you've thought about the above consideration, you can use The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find vendors in your area to help bring your backyard wedding ideas visions to life and how to plan an affordable wedding if that is something you're prioritizing when wedding planning. It is easy to enter the location of the backyard venue where you'll be getting married and find vendors from event planners to caterers (which you can filter by cuisine type). It's always a best practice to have a backup plan in case you encounter any rain or inclement weather on your wedding day, so be sure to think about that, too.
FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT
1. Backyard BBQ Wedding Invitations
For anyone to attend your backyard barbecue wedding, you have to invite them first—that's where backyard BBQ wedding invitations come in. You can ask your graphic designer to create a chalkboard-like invitation like this couple for an extra playful or another design you like—just make sure to include your address so your guests know where they're headed. Feel free to check out The Knot Paper as it is a great resource to utilize when creating wedding invitations.
2. Colorful Backyard Barbecue Daisy Centerpieces
Looking for backyard BBQ wedding decorations? Consider adding some colorful glass bottles to the center of each table. We'd recommend placing some daisies or another one of your favorite summertime flowers in each one to elevate the table aesthetic.
3. Casual Buffet
When it comes to backyard BBQ wedding food, it's hard to go wrong with a casual buffet. Request that your caterer add some classic barbecue favorites including corn on the cob and mashed potatoes. Or, personalize your buffet by adding some of your favorite barbecue favorites.
4. Barbecue Sliders
When coming up with your backyard BBQ wedding menu, don't overlook barbecue sliders. Whether you opt for pulled pork or pulled chicken, your guests will appreciate this classic barbecue staple making an appearance during your big day.
6. Grilled Summer Vegetables
Phillips recommends incorporating vegetables into your backyard barbecue wedding. You can serve them on a tray or set them up as a station at your buffet—either way, the zucchini, sugar snap peas or any other summer vegetable you decide to include will hydrate and refresh your guests.
FOR YOU
35 Simple Wedding Cakes That Anything But Plain
Minimalists, these sweet treats are for you.
7 Wedding Tent Rentals in Raleigh for Your Reception
Transform your outdoor reception space into the venue of your dreams.
8 Wedding Tent Rentals in Pittsburgh for Your Soiree
Create the perfect outdoor venue with the help of these skilled vendors.
6. Vintage Lemonade Stand
When it comes to beverage options for a casual backyard BBQ wedding, Phillips recommends setting up a vintage lemonade stand like this one. You can keep things non-alcoholic or add some boozy offerings if you want to spice things up.
7. Picnic Tables and String Lights
Picnic tables and string lights can make a great addition to any casual backyard BBQ wedding. Hang the string lights on some tree branches or set up a couple of posts from which they can be suspended. These lights will help set the tone of your wedding (while providing some light), especially at night.
8. Fence and Shutter Photo Booth
Provide a space for you to take some photos with your guests and for them to take some amongst themselves by setting up a photo booth made with old fence and shutter pieces. Depending on the aesthetic you're hoping to achieve, you can add some relevant props to the background or in a bucket that can be held. This idea is especially fitting if you're looking for ideas for a rustic backyard barbecue wedding.
9. Grilled Chicken and Steak Kabobs
If you're looking to keep your bites casual throughout your celebration, consider grilled chicken and steak kabobs. Have your caterer pass them on a tray or serve them directly from the grill upon request for a truly authentic barbecue experience.
10. Mini Heart Apple Pies
End your BBQ backyard wedding with some dessert that includes mini heart apple pies. "If you're opting for going to the picnic style barbecue wedding, you can have miniature homemade pies for everyone," says Barrett. Although we like apple pies, any other flavor would work—just don't forget the heart.
11. Pretzel Bar
If you're looking for an affordable snack, Morris recommends pretzels. Put up a pretzel bar or pour some pretzels into bowls and place them on each table for your guests to pick at—either way, they'll satiate your guests and help them replenish their salt levels, especially during the summer months.
12. Roasted Sweet Potato Salad
Photo: Abby Anderson
,Caterer: Mosaic Foods
For a sweet inclusion on your celebration's dinner table, consider roasted sweet potato salad. If you're not sure that all your guests will enjoy the sweet potato salad, it can't hurt to throw a regular potato salad next to it, too.
13. Ice Cream Cups
Photo: Michela Watson
Morris notes that ice cream is a solid dessert pick for backyard BBQ weddings. That said, Leopold's offers ice cream and sorbet cups which you can serve to your guests when dessert time comes around. We'd recommend opting for your favorite flavor or keeping things classic with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.
14. Wooden Flower Box Centerpiece
Still haven't found the perfect centerpieces for your celebration? Morris recommends flower pots. "A small plant or flower pot could do the trick," says Morris. "Then a guest could take it home at the end of the evening."
15. Poolside Balloons
If the backyard where you'll be celebrating has a pool, add some balloons on top of and around the pool for some added flair. Not only will this be visually stimulating, but will entice your guests to take some photos which you can add to your wedding photo album later.
16. Backyard Fire Pit with Vintage Lounge Furniture
Whether you want to incorporate s'mores into your special day or simply want to set up an area for your guests to socialize, a fire pit can do the trick. Add some vintage lounge furniture around the side (if you have it available) for an elevated look.
17. Homemade Barbecue Sauce Wedding Favors
Homemade barbecue sauce wedding jars make perfect backyard BBQ wedding favors. Add a label to each jar with your and your partner's name and wedding date which they can keep for years to come.
