Backyard Weddings and What Can Go Wrong?
- Debbie Donohue
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Advice from Prosperity Mansion and Farm a wedding venue in Frederick MD. Hosting affordable, outdoor / garden weddings in a rustic, whimsical setting.
Backyard weddings are very popular. Their popularity typically stems from the desire to have a wedding with significant savings. Before you dig in and decide that a backyard wedding is the way to go, take a step back and assess the full picture. It might just be that the grass is greener on the side of a "professional wedding venue", where all your wedding woes can be managed expertly. Do not let the pursuit of savings lead you down the wrong garden path; invest wisely in your special day! There are no redo's, so you get one chance to get it right.
There are many beautiful wedding venues in Frederick County Maryland that are professionals at hosting weddings and understand the pitfalls. It might sound easy to put on a wedding but there are many things that can and do go wrong on a wedding day. A professional wedding venue that hosts weddings all the time are on guard for the things that can go wrong. Frederick MD wedding venues such as Prosperity Mansion and Farm, have at least one dedicated person per event to oversee the wedding and are present all day long. They have someone there from start to finish and never leave till everyone is gone. Many unexpected events can arise on the big day. In Frederick County, Maryland, couples are fortunate to have access to a plethora of wedding venues that expertly navigate potential pitfalls.
ARE YOU REALLY SAVING MONEY?
While a backyard wedding may seem cost-effective and a personal choice, it is essential to weigh these potential drawbacks against the vision you have for your day. By considering these challenges, couples can make a more informed decision that ensures a memorable occasion for everyone involved.
Couples should carefully consider not only the direct costs of hosting a backyard wedding and many expenses, including tent rental, rental fees for tables, chairs, restroom facilities, lighting, and décor that will further inflate the budget. Handling clean-up and waste management can also become a daunting task, especially after a large gathering. Backyard weddings can sometimes lead to unanticipated noise issues, particularly if the wedding event is close to neighbors or if the celebration extends late into the evening
BE PREPARED FOR BAD WEATHER
The unpredictability of the weather can pose a considerable risk to outdoor wedding events, necessitating contingency plans that may require additional financial investment. If you are seriously considering a backyard wedding, you must have a backup plan. Renting a tent becomes essential in case of unfavorable weather conditions, and let's not forget the need for sidewalls to shield against rain or wind. Sometimes people just rent the roof of the tent to further save money. But what if it does rain and your guests get soaked because you had no side walls. What if its chilly or windy and you have no sides to close. I for one would be quite angry if I were a guest and in that situation.
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE COST
The allure of a backyard wedding may seem like a budget-friendly option, the reality is that it can quickly turn into a financial nightmare. Many underestimate the hidden costs involved in transforming someone’s backyard into a wedding venue, the price tag can escalate faster than you can say I do.
CONSIDER THE LIABILITIES-
Consider the many potential liabilities that take place on a wedding day. You would not want your big day to be remembered by unexpected accidents or damage to the property where this wedding is being hosted. Insurance is not just a safety net; it is a necessity!
CLEAN UP-
And let us not forget about the cleanup. Unless you have a fairy godmother at your disposal, you will need to have people there when things are being delivered and set up such as the tent, tables and chairs restroom trailer etc. Many of these companies are not on time and carefully placing things is not in their vocabulary. I have had companies not show up until after 11:00 PM when I had been waiting all day. Many tent companies have caused damage my property. They are rushing to both set up the tent and again to break down. I cannot tell you the number of times that I find lights broken, damage to my retaining wall, flower beds crushed and more. I now find myself having to be there the entire time that they are working to protect my property. And forget them paying for damages!
WHO WILL OVERSEE THE PROPSERTY ON THE WEDDING DAY?
First as mentioned, you will need someone to be there all day, the day BEFORE your wedding as things are being delivered and set up.
Next, someone should be responsible to oversee and maintain the property on the wedding day. Kids or intoxicated guests are big culprits of the damage that can occur.
And the buck does not stop there, now there is the cleanup and trash removal as well as someone waiting for all the rented items to be retrieved. Finally, now you must attempt to restore the property to the way it looked before the big event took place. Repair the grass, flower beds and pick up the trash that never was thrown into trash cans and broken glass etc.
Yes, you will need to restore the person’s backyard to its previous glory. Ther are times when friendships are lost due to the damage that occurred due to a wedding. Every wedding that I have has at least some if not way more damage to contend with. People have no idea how rough a wedding can become with people who have been drinking all day and in full party mode as well as kids without supervision running about.
But the responsibilities don’t end once the last guest has departed. The day after the you will need an organized plan for managing the return of rented items and ensuring that everything is accounted for as well as the pickup of the tent, restroom trailer, tables, chairs etc.
RESTROOM TRAILERS:
Restroom trailers typically start at $1,500 but are included in the price of most wedding venues. Imagine hosting a gathering on someone's beautiful property, surrounded by your friends and family, only to find that uninvited guests' friends or friends of friends, are wandering through the home because there were no other restroom faculties available. This can, potentially compromise not only the homeowner's privacy but far more so their security. Without a restroom trailer, you are leaving the residence vulnerable to all sorts of unexpected scenarios. Renting a restroom trailer is not just a convenience; it's a strategic move to safeguard the property. Protect and elevate your event by providing a designated space that offers both comfort, discretion and security. That is a price tag that some couples think they can skip when they are pinching pennies. But don't let the unknowns ruin your gathering take control and make the smart choice and rent a restroom trailer! Again, this is just one of many things that are included at most wedding venues but double check to make sure.
HOW RELIABLE IS ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY?
Sadly, what would you do if the person allowing your wedding to take place on their property decides they no longer what to be involved? That obviously can and has happened. Imagine the heartbreak and confusion when the individual graciously hosting your wedding on their property suddenly withdraws their support. This scenario, though unfortunate, has happened. It can leave couples feeling lost at a critical juncture in their lives. When you book your wedding at a professional wedding venue there is a contract that will ensure that the date is yours. So, make sure that the property where you are considering hosting your wedding will 100% be available. And still have a backup plan just in case.
So, before you dig in and decide that a backyard wedding is the way to go, take a step back and assess the full picture. Do your homework and get prices for all the things that you will need to rent. And have a plan B for everything to make sure that your wedding day is memorable for all the right reasons.
If funds are that tight maybe consider a Micro / Small wedding or a Courthouse / Intimate ceremony only wedding. You can plan for a big event on a future anniversary or other special occasion.
Prosperity Mansion and Farm offers three price packages to suit all budgets:
1) Full day, DREAM weddings- from 20 to 200 guests and 8-10-12 hours
2) Micro / Small Weddings- up to 50 guests and 5-6 hours
3) Courthouse weddings, Intimate weddings and Elopements- from 2-30 guests and 1-2 hours.
In conclusion, while many couples envision backyard weddings as a cost-effective and charming alternative to traditional venues, the financial and logistical realities often reveal a different story. Contrary to popular belief, hosting a wedding in one's backyard can be more expensive than anticipated, as it typically necessitates significant investments in rentals, decor, and additional services to create an inviting atmosphere.
Moreover, the absence of amenities commonly found in professional wedding venues such as bridal suites, groom's lounges, dedicated ceremony sites, decor and comprehensive event management means that couples must take on a considerable amount of planning and coordination themselves. This additional workload can lead to increased stress and potential challenges as they strive to bring their vision to life.
Ultimately, if you opt for a backyard wedding make sure that you have a clear, understanding of the effort and resources involved. None are inexpensive as previously thought and always require far more work than imagined.
Just to show you how much a wedding will cost for up to 100 guest and does NOT include:
Restrooms, bridal cottage, mancave, decor, parking, ceremony areas, personnel to help with set up and closing, lighting, games and more.............................
Business / Org
Prosperity Mansion
11309 Rocky Ridge Rd, Keymar, MD 21757
(443) 350-8100
Description | Qty | Unit | Total | |
search | 40x40 Frame Tent | 1 | $1,900.00 | $1,900.00 |
search | 40w Navi-Track Window 8x20 Sidewall | 8 | $75.00 | $600.00 |
search | 5' Round Table | 14 | $11.00 | $154.00 |
search | subdirectory_arrow_right E 120" Round White Cott'n-eze | 14 | $16.50 | $231.00 |
search | 6' Rectangle Table | 2 | $10.00 | $20.00 |
search | subdirectory_arrow_right E 90x132" Rec White Cott'n-eze | 2 | $24.00 | $48.00 |
search | 50ft Edison Light Strand In White | 7 | $70.00 | $490.00 |
search | White Resin Padded Folding Chair | 104 | $3.50 | $364.00 |
search | Damage Waiver Protects against any accidental damage by you or your guests to the equipment. Optional service. To decline email your sales lead. | 1 | $380.70 | $380.70 |
Subtotal | $4,187.70 |
Tax | $228.42 |
Total | $4,416.12 |
Logistics
-
Description | Qty | Unit | Total | |
search | Standard Drop-Off Wednesday, 9/3/2025 [TBD] - Friday, 9/5/2025 [TBD] 11309 Rocky Ridge Rd, Keymar, MD 21757 | 1 | $69.68 | $69.68 |
search | Standard Pickup Monday, 9/8/2025 [TBD] - Tuesday, 9/9/2025 [TBD] 11309 Rocky Ridge Rd, Keymar, MD 21757 | 1 | $69.68 | $69.68 |
Tax | $0.00 |
Total | $139.36 |
Totals
Subtotal
$4,327.06
Tax
$228.42
Total*
$4,555.48
Due on Signature
$2,277.74
Final Due on Aug 20, 2025
$2,277.74
Remaining Balance
$4,555.48
Additional payment processing fees may apply
Prosperity Mansion and Farm
Email- prosperity_mansion@yahoo.com
Call to chat- 443-350-8100
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