A backyard wedding gives you the place, the view and the guest list, but none of the things a venue normally brings. Backyard wedding rentals fill those gaps, and because Rent My Wedding ships to your address, the decor can arrive at the house a few days before the party. Here is what to rent, what to keep indoors and how to plan for weather, power and delivery.
Key takeaways
- Rent My Wedding’s canopy page suggests canopies for backyard parties, outdoor receptions and food or bar areas.
- The tripod backdrops are designed for indoor use only, because they are not stable outdoors in wind.
- The rental agreement says rented products may not be exposed to rain, water or moisture.
- Bistro string lights come in 48-foot strings with 24 bulbs, and up to 7 strings connect to a single outlet.
Start with a walk around the yard
Before you order, walk the space with a tape measure and a notebook. Mark where the ceremony will face, where the tables go and where guests will gather after dinner. Then look for three things a venue would normally solve for you:
- Power. Find every outdoor outlet and note how far each one is from the spots you want to light.
- Cover. Decide what happens if it rains. Anything you rent has to stay dry.
- Delivery. Pick who will be home to receive the packages, and where they can be kept dry and out of sight until the day.
Our wedding rentals checklist helps you list every item by area, with quantities and sizes.
Backyard wedding rentals that work outside
A canopy for the ceremony or the bar. The canopies and chuppahs page describes canopies for weddings and backyard parties, and suggests them for covering a reception area or dining tables, or a buffet or bar at an outdoor party. The canopy kit includes the frame and drapes. It can be set up to 12 feet wide on each side, or adjusted smaller. Setup takes about 15 minutes: set up 4 tripods, attach 4 crossbars, add the drapes and raise the tripods. Everything folds into 2 boxes. The standard canopy comes with white drapes, and other colors are shown as swatches on the page. If the canopy is for a Jewish ceremony, our post on what a chuppah is explains the tradition.
The canopy uses tripods, like the backdrops, so ask the team about wind before you plan one in an open yard.
String lights over the tables. The lighting page lists bistro lights as string lights, outdoor lighting and rustic lighting. Each string is 48 feet long with 24 bulbs, up to 7 strings connect to a single outlet, and the strings come in black or white. If you hang lights overhead, the rental agreement asks you to secure them to a fastening device with a safety cable.
Chair covers for mixed chairs. Backyard weddings often use folding chairs. The spandex chair covers come in banquet chair or folding chair sizes, in white or black, and they slip over the chair with no ironing.
A starry sky after dark. Starry night lighting is most effective indoors, but the special effects lighting page says it can be used outdoors in certain situations. Ambient light and weather affect how visible it is, so the team recommends checking with them first. Our starry night wedding theme post has more ideas.
What to keep inside
Some rentals belong in the house, the garage or a covered room:
- Tripod backdrops. The backdrops page says they are designed for indoor use only, because they are not stable outdoors in wind. Use one for a dessert table or a photo spot indoors.
- Anything that could get wet. The rental agreement says products may not be exposed to rain, water or moisture, and may not be operated in temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep a covered place ready for anything that is outside when the weather turns.
For lights and other items not named above, the product pages do not say whether they are meant for outdoor use, so ask the team before you plan them outside.
Plan for weather
Check the forecast in the days before the wedding, and keep watching it on the day. The National Weather Service has safety information for planning around storms, heat and lightning. Decide ahead of time who will bring the rentals in if rain starts, and where they will go.
Delivery to your home
Rentals ship free both ways within the continental U.S., and they arrive at least two days before the event. The packages may be left at your address without a signature if no one is home, and you can ask for them to be held at a FedEx location for pickup when you order or by contacting FedEx before delivery. Bring them inside as soon as they arrive.
Each rental includes setup instructions, and 24/7 phone support is available during your event weekend. After the wedding, repack everything in the boxes it came in, attach the prepaid return labels and take them to a physical FedEx location within two days. Never leave them in a FedEx drop box.
Plan the yard, choose backyard wedding rentals that suit the space, keep them dry, and your backyard can feel like a venue for one night.
Planning a wedding at home?
Tell us about the yard, the guest count and the look you want, and the team can help you choose what to rent.
FAQ
How many bistro light strings can share one outlet?
Up to 7 strings can connect to a single outlet. Each string is 48 feet long with 24 bulbs, so measure the run over your tables before you order.
What happens if it rains on rented decor?
The rental agreement says rented products may not be exposed to rain, water or moisture. Have a covered place ready, and bring the rentals in before the rain starts.
Can rentals be delivered to a home address?
Yes. Rentals ship to the address you give, and the packages may be left without a signature. You can also ask for them to be held at a FedEx location for pickup.
People Also Ask
Are there rental packages for a backyard wedding?
Rent My Wedding’s packages page lists bundles for areas such as the cake table, the head table and the dance floor, but none is described as a backyard package. There is no minimum order, so you can combine a canopy, bistro string lights and chair covers.
