If you’re looking to get crafty and need some DIY small backyard wedding ideas, I’ve got great news for you!
As a Pennsylvania wedding photographer who’s all about capturing the quirky, non-traditional vibes, I’ve got 14 unique ideas to share, inspired by a super creative couple I recently worked with.
Amelia and Derek were absolute pros at DIY decor. Not only did it make their wedding more budget-friendly, but it also infused everything with personal touches that showed off their creative spirit.
Ready to get inspired and find what DIY backyard wedding ideas speak to you? Keep reading!
Here are A & D’s DIY small backyard wedding ideas
…To feel extra crafty and fuel your wedding with personality.
1. Add a colorful touch to a classic suit
First off, let’s talk about the looks. Both Derek and Amelia went for a fun, creative aesthetic with an elevated touch. I loved how Derek carried colorful, painted wildflowers in his suit pocket that matched not only Amelia’s bouquet but also the whole floral decor.
He also added a floral tie, which let him bring a splash of creativity and a bit of wilderness to an otherwise classic look.
Adding bits of color and non-traditional elements like these can make a huge difference.
2. Get playful with a bold outfit that matches your vibe
Next, Amelia’s outfits—yes, plural! She had multiple looks, and each one was stunning. For the ceremony, she wore a long, light purple-pinkish dress that perfectly matched her gorgeous purple hair.
She paired it with vintage pink heels that had a funky little sparkly pom pom in the front, adding a fun twist.
For her second look, comfort was key as she got ready for some serious dancing. She swapped the long dress for a super cool, short, vibrant pink one paired with matching sneakers. This was a stylish way to get ready to move and groove!
If you’re loving this idea, don’t hold back! Let your wedding outfit be as bold, colorful, and uniquely you as you want. Go ahead and truly make a statement that’s all your own.
3. Create a cozy yet quirky outdoor lounge setup
Oh, the design and decorations here were on another level! Amelia and Derek completely transformed their backyard into a dreamy, vintage-inspired fun zone.
The space was filled with so many handmade elements that made it feel both wholesome and homey yet still fun and groovy.
The outdoor lounge area was set up with cozy couches nestled right in the garden, colorful rugs spread across the grass, and rattan chairs with soft cushions to sink into.
4. Packed with quirky, beautifully weird touches
As I mentioned earlier, it was the little things that brought this wedding decor to life. Everywhere you looked, there was something funky to catch your eye.
Some of my favorite touches were the disco ball accents scattered throughout, vintage ceremony chairs, boho macrame rugs, hanging hearts, stars, and moons, and even disco ball flower pots!
And let’s not forget the candle setup with golden containers and heart-shaped candles that gave everything a warm, whimsical glow.
Ps: If you love this style, I photographed a wedding with a similar design style. Feel free to check it out here.
5. Take the party to the streets with a love parade
Another super unique and beautiful thing these two did was a love parade. How cool is that?
After their wedding ceremony, they took the celebration to the streets and walked around the neighborhood, all dressed up and spreading their love and happiness everywhere they went.
Because, honestly, why not share the joy, right? Do this, especially if you’d like a fun way to include your neighbors and strangers at your wedding, too!
6. Serve cocktails from the cutest, quirkiest mobile bar
Amelia and Derek brought in the cutest light blue mobile bar from Blind Tiger with expert bartenders to serve up cocktails to their guests. Honestly, this bar-truck looked like it was made to be part of the decor!
If you’re not feeling like leaving your backyard wedding, this is a great way to bring the bar to you—and in such a fun way!
7. Display your menus like vintage art
The menus! They showcased all their menus like pieces of art, complete with quirky illustrations and vintage photo frames. Some were even placed next to fun decor like a disco ball mushroom.
I think this is such a cool idea to entertain your guests and make sure everyone notices your creative touches!
8. Get creative with charcuterie on vintage wooden tables
Their charcuterie and pinwheel boards added to the picnic-y vibes, giving everyone something satisfying to snack on. And these snacks didn’t just taste amazing—they were beautifully styled on rustic wooden tables, each with its own unique shape.
Charcuterie boards offer a luxurious yet laid-back vibe, which might be everything you want for a backyard wedding.
9. Make your celebration low-waste
I absolutely appreciated their commitment to the environment. Not only were all the dishes reusable, but they also had guides around to let people know how to treat this event.
If you can, make sustainability a part of your day and party guilt-free! You can have a guide on how to keep the celebration low-waste, just like Amelia and Derek did.
10. Let guests choose their own funky cups
Speaking of reusable cups, this couple turned it into a fun activity! Everyone got to choose their own cup—each one in different colors and shapes—add a sticker with their name on it, and then take it home as a memory from the wedding.
Amelia and Derek even had special bride and groom stickers, which were super cute.
If you want to personalize your wedding and keep it low-waste, I highly recommend adding a fun touch like this. Just imagine your guests having a blast picking out their cups!
11. Create a playful DIY photo booth setup
This DIY photobooth backdrop was definitely one of the stars of the show. A&D set up a photo booth to capture on-the-spot memories, decorating it with colorful paper fans and all kinds of creative touches.
On the side, they had a station with Polaroid cameras for guests to use, and they could either keep the photo or pin it to a photo collage on the wall.
They even painted wooden clothespins in different colors so guests could hang their snapshots, making everyone a part of the decor.
12. Spin your first tunes on a funky vinyl player
These two had a blast bringing in all the little old-school touches. One of them was a funky vinyl player they decorated with a disco ball texture and custom stickers.
If you’re a music lover and all about vintage vibes, adding a vinyl player to your list of DIY small backyard wedding ideas is a must!
13. Bring a vintage bicycle around
One of my favorite elements in this wedding was this bicycle decorated with colorful ribbons. While you could totally use it as a fun piece of decor, this couple took it a step further and had it to toss dried flowers around! How amazing is that?!
14. Finally, turn your backyard into a party zone
Amelia and Derek also transformed their back deck into a dance floor where everyone could dance freely, mingle, sing karaoke, or even play games. This little touch guaranteed nonstop good vibes all night long.
Which DIY backyard wedding ideas will you use?
Alright, I hope you found some awesome DIY small backyard wedding ideas to use for your own epic day and that you’re excited to get crafty! If you need more inspo, be sure to check out more posts on my blog, as non-traditional weddings are totally my jam.
And if you’re looking for a photographer who can capture the creative spirit of your wedding, reach out to me here. I’d be super excited to hear about your vision and chat more!
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