Are you thinking about having or hosting a backyard wedding? Backyard weddings are very popular as they allow for more control over the location and can be more intimate. Unique backyard landscaping ideas can not only save you money but also create a one-of-a-kind space for your special day.

Today we’re taking a look at different backyard wedding landscaping ideas to transform your space into the venue of your dreams. The great news is that once the wedding is over, you’ll still have an incredible backyard landscape design to enjoy!

Backyard Wedding Landscaping Ideas for Your Special Day

Backyard weddings offer the opportunity to host a beautiful, intimate gathering of friends and family to celebrate your special day. Coming up with backyard wedding landscaping ideas also gives you a better return on investment because the landscaping stays long after the day ends! Instead of spending money to simply rent a venue that someone else has created, investing in outdoor wedding landscape design can transform your backyard plus acts as a way to customize your space and even boost home value.

Some of our favorite backyard wedding landscaping ideas to create the ultimate wedding space are:

• Adding a pergola as a focal point for the ceremony (and shade!)
• Landscaping with pops of color that match your wedding theme
• Creating a patio installation to use for the ceremony and reception
• Using hardscaping for a wedding aisle that is picture perfect
• Installing a backyard water feature for a unique look and experience
• Setting the mood with backyard lighting

Using a Backyard Pergola as a Focal Point

Having a backyard pergola is a great way to add a little shade to your space, but they also make the perfect focal point for backyard wedding landscaping ideas! When you’re using a landscape planner online to come up with backyard design plans, think about how you want your ceremony to look.

Adding a backyard pergola not only gives you a focal point to stand under for the ceremony (all about those wedding photos!) but it presents opportunities for wedding floral design, too. If you’re planning far enough in advance, think about adding vines to grow throughout your wedding arch for a beautiful, fairytale look. If you’re enhancing the look of your backyard wedding landscaping ideas on the day, a backyard pergola is a great piece to outfit with flowers that match your theme.

If flowers aren’t your ideal wedding decor, you can also use your new backyard pergola to drape fabric or any other wedding decor you like! It’ll make for incredible wedding photos you can cherish forever.

Pops of Color for Wedding Landscape Ideas

When you’re thinking about backyard wedding landscaping ideas, it’s important to think about the overall look you’re going for. One of the easiest places to begin is to settle on your wedding colors. To customize your backyard wedding space to fit your special day, you can add pops of color with flowers to match!

For example, peonies are hardy perennials that bloom in summer and make for some of the best wedding flowers for Upstate NY gardens. They’re super fragrant and their size allows you to really fill your garden with color. If you’re looking for more subtle, deeper coloring for your backyard wedding landscaping ideas, think about adding dark purple allium to your space. These gorgeous bulb flowers bloom in June (perfect timing for outdoor Capital Region weddings!) and require full sun to thrive.

There’s no doubt that adding pops of color will make your backyard wedding landscaping ideas shine. If you’re unsure which flowers will be in full bloom in time for your special day, consult a professional landscape designer and they’ll make sure everything is perfect!

Outdoor Patio Wedding Reception and Ceremony Ideas

When you’re looking to spruce up your space with backyard wedding landscaping ideas, you need to think about where your guests will be! Hosting a backyard wedding most likely means you need to be smart about your setup to convert a ceremony space into a reception space with minimal effort. A great way to do this is to have a patio installation that works as a foundation for both.

One of the most crucial elements to consider about backyard weddings is that grass will become muddy and slick almost instantly if you have loads of people on it. This is especially true during a reception, when everyone is dancing. While some people may opt to rent a dance floor for their backyard wedding reception, those are guaranteed ways to kill your lawn. After spending so much time and effort making it look incredible, why would you want to destroy it?

Hiring a landscape designer to build a patio installation as part of your backyard wedding landscaping ideas gives you a flat, stable surface for both the ceremony and wedding. You don’t have to worry about getting your dress dirty, anyone slipping on slick grass, or destroying your backyard! You can choose from an endless variety of beautiful patio materials from brick to natural flagstone that will make each moment picture perfect.

Choosing Hardscaping for Outdoor Wedding Landscape Design

Speaking of hardscaping for outdoor wedding landscape ideas, what wedding doesn’t need an aisle to walk down? Having a backyard wedding means you can customize your aisle, as well. With an incredible selection of pavers to choose from, you can select any material to fit your look. Having professional hardscaping also gives you a solid foundation to walk down the aisle on. We don’t want any brides slipping on the grass and staining their dress!

Depending on the size and layout of your backyard, any patio installation, or other elements you want (like adding outdoor fire pit ideas) you can also have fun with your backyard wedding landscaping ideas by creating walkways. A winding path gives a sense of beauty and whimsy. If your theme (or backyard design) is more modern, oversized pavers provide a chic look.

When you’re deciding on backyard wedding landscaping ideas that will be permanent, however, make sure you take into account that it’s going to stay after your special day is over. While it’s important to make your outdoor wedding landscape design fit your style, be sure it suits your needs down the line, too. It’s the perfect opportunity to create a custom outdoor wedding venue while adding value to your home.

Outdoor Wedding Water Feature Installations

Is there a more perfect way to create a one-of-a-kind outdoor Capital Region wedding than with a water feature installation? These beautiful backyard wedding landscaping ideas make your space look polished, professional, and serene. To make things even better, water features add value to your home and are relatively easy to maintain after installation so they function as a smart investment in the long term, as well!

First, look at your available space, intended layout, and wedding style to help figure out what water feature design is right for your backyard wedding landscaping. If you’ve got a larger yard, a garden pond water feature can be a huge statement piece. If you’re thinking of how to landscape a small backyard but want to include a water feature into your backyard wedding landscaping ideas, pondless waterfalls and fountains come in plenty of sizes to fit your needs.

After your big day is over, having a backyard water feature will give you a cool space for outdoor entertaining or hanging solo. The sound of water brings a natural zen feeling to your private oasis, too, so grab a book and relax!

Perfect Lighting for Backyard Wedding Landscaping Ideas

Last up on our list of backyard wedding landscaping ideas is having the perfect lighting in your backyard landscaping! If you’re having a summer outdoor Capital Region wedding, chances are the ceremony may begin while the sun is up. If you’re partying into the night, however, choosing the perfect backyard lighting can set the vibe!

In addition to creating an atmosphere as part of your backyard wedding landscaping ideas, having proper lighting is also practical. A well-lit backyard landscape design may prevent accidents or injuries. With an almost endless variety of outdoor lighting designs to choose from, you’re sure to find one that you love!

Planning a backyard wedding can be an exciting way to have the special day you’ve always dreamed about. Coming up with backyard wedding landscaping ideas lets you customize your space exactly how you want! From pergolas as a ceremony focal point to backyard water features to elevate your wedding style, we hope our guide has given you a lot to consider.

When you’ve come up with some ideas you love, head over to our Project Planner to start planning and budgeting for your wedding landscape project. You can save the plans or submit them to us and one of our professionals will be in touch!

Need some more inspiration to create the backyard of your dreams? Check out these resources:

• 8 Pond and Water Feature Construction Inspirations
• 6 Gorgeous Flowers to Plant in Spring
• Landscaping Around Trees: Practical Tips and Inspiration
• Backyard Flower Garden Ideas: How to Make a Backyard Flower Garden