By Sharon Naylor
It’s every girl’s dream to get married under the big white tent in the backyard, and even celebrities have created this exact same wedding fantasy. But before you create your spreadsheet and map out the dance floor placement in the yard, consider a few key realities about this type of celebration.
“It’s a common misconception that having a backyard tented wedding is always going to be cheaper than having your wedding at a hall, because you have to rent a lot of things,” says Megan Jones, a certified event rental professional, who is accredited through the American Rental Association and is the president of Celebration Party Rentals in Flemington (www.celebrationpartyrental.com). “And brides and grooms get very surprised when they learn their rental list goes beyond the things they look at—like linens, china, tables, and chairs—to the things that are needed for the logistics of the day. For instance, you need to create a cooking facility for the caterer, depending on your menu. That would mean a separate tent for the caterer, ovens, grills, a warming cabinet, and more. It’s vitally important that your tent rental agent work together with your caterer to figure out what is needed.”
Jones also mentions the fact that most houses do not have adequate electrical power for an outdoor wedding, so a generator will have to be rented. “And if your house has a septic system, your 200 to 300 guests would over-use your septic system’s capacity, so you’d need to bring in restroom facilities, too,” Jones says.
When it comes to tents, you may be surprised that prices are not as high as you might expect. It all depends on the size of tent you need and what stylistic choices you make. Today’s grand wedding tents come in several different fabrics: some with clear ceilings that allow you to see the stars above, some with pretty windows, some with netting, with flooring, without flooring, with heat, without heat, with accents to hide the tent poles and ceiling bracings. So assess your options well, and don’t try to save too much money by getting a super-cheap tent. Go newer, sturdier, and more modern since it’s the tent’s functioning that matters most. It needs to protect your guests from the elements and be a pretty backdrop for all of your wedding décor and moments.
Finally, check out permits with your town. See if you’ll need parking permits and if your neighborhood has a noise curfew. You wouldn’t want your wedding shut down by the police at 9 p.m. if the neighbors complain.
The fantasy backyard tented wedding can be your reality if you look at all the extra details needed and ask your wedding experts what they need from you to be able to do their jobs well.
BBQ Weddings and Rehearsal Dinners
By April Kabbash
When you and your groom look to the future, do your imaginations run to summers filled with great backyard get-togethers, gathering family and friends around the grill as long as the weather holds? Well, why wait? Whether set in your own backyard, on the family farm, or in your favorite Shore town, a casual evening centered around the barbecue can be the perfect starting point for your new life together. (Any of these ideas would also work perfectly as a rehearsal dinner or shower.)
As with a more formal wedding, options abound. For an intimate reception, why not gather your family and friends in your backyard or at a favorite park and fire up the grill? Keep it simple with hamburgers, hotdogs, and all the trimmings, or upgrade a little to steaks or ribs. And when your guests leave, send them home with a jar of barbecue sauce so they can be reminded of your special day at their next cookout.
If you've always dreamed of a Shore wedding, try a clam bake on the beach (permits and restrictions vary by town—be sure to check before you start planning).Guests can enjoy everything from clams and lobster to sausage, corn-on-the-cob, and potatoes. Shell-covered photo frames or large conch shells filled with saltwater taffy will send guests home with a smile on their faces.
Or for something more exotic, try a luau. Companies throughout the state, like DRJ Catering Services in Monmouth (800-664-0096; drjcatering.com), can take care of everything, from roasting a whole pig to handling equipment rentals. Try decorating your space with potted orchids, and let each guest choose one at the end of the night as a lasting memento of your wedding.
In the end, whether it's hot dogs or a whole hog, your bbq wedding will be something you and your guests will never forget.