If you are making plans for your wedding, you may have so many loose ends to tie up. Various tasks to see to include the cake, the guest list, and the flowers. In this time of uncertainty, many are opting for a quiet wedding ceremony at home, which is a bit different from the norm, when the average number of wedding guests ranges around 136. So how do you prepare your home for this monumental occasion and get a little backyard wedding inspiration? If you will host guests for pre-wedding activities as well as the ceremony and reception, you want to ensure that your home is in pristine condition. The following are a few steps you can take to be sure that your home is ceremony ready.
Create a Ceremony Space
For an outdoor wedding ceremony, you want to be sure that your yard and the area around your home looks inviting, as well as in pristine condition for backyard wedding inspiration at its finest. This will not only provide much-needed peace of the mind amid the stress of planning for such a monumental occasion, but it will also provide a fresh start to your new life together, symbolically letting in a new energy.
There are many ways you can achieve a beautiful look without large costs. Installing an awning or investing in a gazebo are a few options for your ceremony space. You also want to be sure you have enough chairs, and assigned seating as well, so your guests and their guests know exactly where to sit during the celebration.
But what if your ceremony area, in general, is an eyesore? You’ll want to repair tripping hazards, such as uneven brick or board or holes in the lawn. You can create an attractive ceremony space with pavers. Pavers usually cost up to $17 per square foot for installation, depending upon size, material, and whether or not you hire paving professionals. A larger 20 by 20 brick paver patio can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $7,000. The average cost of pavers and materials is alone is around $4 to $6, while labor can cost a bit more. While permanent paver installation requires soil excavation, as well as a compacted base of gravel for a longer-lasting patio, a temporary pavers installation of patio pavers on dirt will suffice until you’re ready for some heavy-duty landscaping.
No matter whether the paver installation is temporary or permanent, you’ll get some serious backyard wedding inspiration with a clean and tidy space to hold your ceremony. The extra work will not only be well worth in the end but will also keep your space looking beautiful going toward the future. Once you have installed the pavers, you can add extras to your space to help it appear more “posh” and comfortable for your guests, such as a fire pit or other amenities.
Fix Cosmetic Problems
Now that your ceremony space has an improved appearance with pavers, it’s time to set to work on that roof repair and update your windows and doors to bring to life your backyard wedding inspiration. The national average roof repair cost is more than $800, with the majority of homeowners spending anywhere from $350 to $1,400. The most common small roof repairs cost between $150 to $400. Labor can typically cost up to $75 an hour. Roofers should handle any complicated repairs, unless the damage is small, in which case, you may be able to do the repairs yourself.
This strategy, although seemingly the more cost-effective solution, may not save you money in the long run, however. Roofing materials are sold in bulk and matching a shingle color can be difficult. Reroofing is the ideal route in this situation. Slate, copper, and tile roofs can last more than 50 years, so should you decide to go the more expensive route, you can be sure of your roof holding up well after the ceremony is long finished. Should you decide on a wood shake roof, you can expect it to last 30 years.
While you get your roof situation hammered out, take a look at what windows and doors in your home need to be replaced as well. You want to make sure gates, sliding doors, and fences are in good order. On average, the cost to replace a window pane costs anywhere from $150 to nearly $400, with general repairs averaging at about $270. The replacement of double-pane window glass will be more costly at around $350. The price to install all new glass can be up to $500. While this may seem like something that could be put off until after the ceremony, new windows and doors add a chic feel to a home, and also are a great investment going forward. New windows and doors conserve energy and keep out the elements to keep you comfortable.
Make Sure Your Pool Looks Nice
You’ve taken care of the whole backyard and are feeling the whole backyard wedding inspiration spirit take hold. Then you look at your pool. A little pool repair is definitely in order. Not only general pool repair but maybe even a pool liner replacement. Well, don’t fear, as inground and above-ground pool repairs can cost up to $600 on average, but most projects stay well below that price. As always, the repair costs depend on the pool type, materials, and size. Should you have the replace the main drain or the heater, the price can increase as well. If you decide to hire a professional pool cleaning service, expect to spend $150. Maintenance of a pool is of utmost importance, so you won’t have to worry about costs later for a big event such as a backyard wedding ceremony. Also, homeowners insurance can typically help with pool-repair costs, depending upon the limits in your policy. A pool can bring an extra exciting element to your backyard ceremony, as it can be decorated with flowers and lights to provide an ethereal, magical component to your celebration. You want to be sure it’s in the best shape possible for guests to gather around, sipping drinks and enjoying the beautiful area you’ve crafted. Extra water features can also help to create an enchanting place.
Remove Pests
Those pesky squirrels are not only a nuisance in your garden, but they can also be a real problem at your backyard wedding ceremony. Imagine pesky pests eating food meant for guests, as well as wreaking havoc in your sacred space. A surefire way for backyard wedding inspiration to go awry is taking a look at all the critters feasting on your plants, as well as jumping from tree to tree.
There are easy methods of squirrel removal that won’t even require ridding of them once and for all. Studies conducted show that ultrasonic repellents work by emitting various pitches to ensure that squirrels won’t make any guest appearances on your patio. The ultrasonic waves not only repel squirrels but other rodents as well from the area. Squirrels can also be removed by setting traps. Care needs to be taken should you decide to handle a live squirrel, as they can scratch and bite. If traps are your method for catching squirrels, call in specialists to help remove them from the property.
Another method of clearing away pests is apple cider vinegar. It can be used as an effective squirrel repellent because squirrels can’t stand the strong smell and bad taste of the vinegar. Undiluted apple cider vinegar can be sprayed on planters, fencing, and decks. White pepper and cayenne smells will also deter squirrels. If you sprinkle plants with cayenne pepper flakes, these furry guests won’t stay too long. Squirrels also dislike garlic and coffee grounds. A light layer of coffee grounds spread around plants can keep areas safe, and they also are a compostable material that will help your plants. Precautions such as these before the wedding can ensure you don’t have any uninvited guests!
Clean Up Your Yard
Before the big day, you will put a lot of effort into getting your house in order and clean. As the wedding day draws closer, you should be able to focus on prepping, rather than a complete overhaul. Not only do you want the inside of your home clean, with precautions put into place, such as baby gates for off-limit areas and carpet runners for high-traffic areas, but in your yard as well. Clearing away leaves, branches and clutter can improve the overall appearance of your yard with very little effort. Mowing the lawn, re-edging and cleaning your garden and flower beds, as well as hauling away unnecessary debris can also help provide the ultimate backyard wedding inspiration.
If you want to get heavy-duty into yard prep, however, a tree service can provide tree trimming and hedge trimming services. The ultimate curb appeal can be achieved with the right landscaping company keeping trees and hedges looking supple and ceremony ready. You can even have a special design trimmed into the hedges to match your wedding theme. A landscaping or tree trimming service can be a cost-effective way to ensure that your yard not only looks manicured for your wedding ceremony but also looks fantastic year-round.
As mentioned before, when you do your yard sweep, you want to make sure every area is tidy, including your swimming pool. Pool cleaning can be either done by a service or you can do it yourself. Either way, thorough cleaning of these areas helps to promote the appearance of a well-maintained home. Also, removing debris will keep your guests safe, so one will accidentally trip and fall over anything loose in your backyard. Also, if you have a sprinkler, be sure to turn off the sprinkler timer before the event!
Rentals
Other preparations that can take place for overall backyard wedding inspiration are making sure you have plenty of supplies for your guests. Paper and plastic plates and cups are convenient unless you need something a little more sophisticated to go with the theme of your wedding. Rental is always a good place to start for big gatherings. Renting is also more environmentally friendly than plastic options. Any item can be rented from dishes to decorations. In the end, it may prove to be more kind to the pocketbook than splurging on dinnerware for many guests.
Pet Care
If your home has pets, you may want to consider a doggie doo dissolving product for your yard or a cleanup service. Pets can also pose a problem as you want to be sure they are kept safe during the festivities. You don’t want them to cause disruptions are worried about them getting out. Boarding your pets during the celebration is a great option, as well as have a trusted in-home dog service care for them.
Special Extras for Backyard Wedding Inspiration
There are also other ways to personalize your yard to fit the ceremony theme and provide backyard wedding inspiration. Not only the proper decorations but planting flowers to match the bridal bouquet is a simple way to add cohesiveness and a common thread throughout. Planting a tree to commemorate the occasion is also a lovely way to remember your ceremony for years to come.
Other ways to spruce up the area include the installation of a birdbath, fire pit, or water feature. Another way to add a lighthearted feel and to avoid a fire hazard at the same time is to use LED candles to avoid fire hazards, yet increase ambiance. Solar ground lights are also a great option to provide lighting and are environmentally friendly too. These stake lights are perfect for a sunset wedding and an evening reception.
Your wedding is the most important day of your life. You want the peace of mind that comes with making your home is not only inviting, but safe and comfortable for all of your guests. Some of the tips we mentioned can ensure that your wedding ceremony will not only be beautiful but a perfect oasis for the exchange of vows. A few splurges on your home are worth the investment in the long run, and your property value will increase as result, bringing in fresh energy for your new life.
