Elegant Backyard Tent Wedding

When it comes to weddings, there’s something incredibly romantic and intimate about hosting your special day in your own backyard or the backyard you grew up in. The allure of nature combined with the comfort of familiar surroundings can create a truly wonderful experience. If you’re considering a backyard tent wedding, take a look at Emily and Peter’s elegant backyard tent wedding for inspiration and ideas.

For this backyard tent wedding the set up began three days before the actual wedding. We installed the lighting and draping at that time as well. We wanted to get all of the big items checked off the list with plenty of time.

When planning for an outdoor wedding, don’t forget the weather really has to be considered!

Pro tip: If there is rain in the forecast, make sure to get one last grass mow in before any rain and consider getting the tent installed prior to the rain as well to make sure the area under the tent stays dry. For a ceremony space that’s not tented try to plan to have the ground covered by tarps if a rainstorm is predicted.

For more information on how to plan a backyard tent wedding check out my Private Property Weddings Guide here!

Elegant Backyard Tent Wedding bridesmaids

Bride and groom get ready for their Elegant Backyard Tent Wedding

Bride and Groom portraits on the morning of their Elegant Backyard Tent Wedding

Peter and Emily’s wedding ceremony took place next to a beautiful pond they had on their property. A modest and classic setup was designed. Wooden folding chairs faced a wooden arch embellished with fresh flowers and a single piece of white drapery.

backyard wedding ceremony set up with wood chairs and arbor next to a pond

backyard wedding ceremony at this Elegant Backyard Tent Wedding

We organized a cocktail hour around the pool complete with lounge and patio furniture as well as low and high cocktail tables. Seating and setup can be extra fun with a tented wedding because you’re not confined by a building like a typical event venue. That being said it can also be a bit daunting as to figuring out how to lay everything out.

Pro tip: Map out the seating arrangement to ensure optimal flow and comfort for your guests. Incorporate lounge areas, a dance floor, and dining spaces to create a balanced and visually appealing layout.

Elegant Backyard Tent Wedding with a poolside cocktail hour

For Emily and Peter’s wedding we did just that. We added a variety of seating options for cocktail hour and had a variety of round and long king’s tables set in the tent for dinner.

For the tent lighting we utilized a mix of hanging chandeliers, uplighting around the stage and soft candlelight as centerpieces on each table. Outdoor lighting can create a magical ambiance – string lights, lanterns, and chandeliers can be used to illuminate the space as the sun sets. Lighting can significantly enhance the elegance of your wedding.