Backyard Wedding Essentials
A backyard wedding needs a few things a venue would normally provide: a ceremony focal point (an arch and an aisle runner), cover and power (a canopy tent and string lighting), rented tables, chairs, and linens for the reception, a finished tablescape with place settings, stationery, and favors. Because there’s no in-house staff, plan seating and tableware for your full guest count. The grouped checklist below covers each essential, and the shoppable kit links every item to a product.
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Each item maps to a product in our catalog. When a current in-stock retailer price is available, we show it; otherwise use the product page to compare links.
White & Gold Wedding Balloon Arch Kit
$49.99 at Party City
Buy at Party CityPop-Up Canopy Event Tent (10 x 20 ft)
$179.00 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartString Light Set - 100ft Warm White
$29.00 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartWireless LED Uplighting Set (8 lights)
$149.00 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartRound Folding Banquet Table (60 inch)
$169.00 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartWhite Resin Folding Chair
$2.00 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartDisposable Gold-Rim Dinner Plates (50 pack)
$25.50 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartGold Beaded Charger Plates (12 pack)
$39.00 at Walmart
Buy at WalmartGreenery & Eucalyptus Garland (6 ft)
$22.00 at Target
Buy at TargetMercury Glass Place Card Holders (24 pack)
$34.00 at Etsy
Buy at EtsyCustom Wedding Invitation Suite (50 sets)
$149.00 at Etsy
Buy at EtsySome links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
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A curated kit that covers most of this checklist in one place.
Reviewed by EventPlanner Editorial · last reviewed July 16, 2026. Quantities and budget bands state their assumptions and are planning aids, not vendor quotes or professional safety advice.
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Frequently asked questions
What do you need for a backyard wedding?
Because a backyard has no built-in venue infrastructure, you need a ceremony focal point (an arch and aisle runner), a tent for cover, lighting, rented tables, chairs, and linens for your full guest count, a finished tablescape with place settings, stationery, and favors. The shoppable kit below covers each of these essentials.
How many tables and chairs do I need for a backyard wedding?
Plan one 60-inch round table per 8 guests for the reception, plus a chair for every guest at both the ceremony and the reception (many couples reuse the ceremony chairs). Add a few extra place settings beyond your RSVP count for safety.
Do I need a tent for a backyard wedding?
A tent is strongly recommended even in good weather: it provides shade, a rain backup, and an anchor point for lighting and decor. A 10 x 20 foot pop-up canopy covers a small bar, dessert, or lounge area; size up or add tents for a full seated dinner.
How do you light a backyard wedding?
String lights overhead give the warm, classic backyard-wedding glow, and wireless LED uplighting washes a fence line, tent wall, or trees with color after sunset. Plan your power source ahead of time (a few outdoor outlets or a quiet generator), since a backyard rarely has enough.
How much does a backyard wedding cost compared to a venue?
A backyard wedding can cost less because you skip the venue fee, but you take on rentals the venue would otherwise provide: tent, tables, chairs, linens, lighting, and sometimes restrooms and power. Budget for those line items so the savings are real rather than a surprise.