A wedding is the perfect time to celebrate everything that makes you unique as a couple. One way more and more couples have been integrating their personalities and families into their big day is through the venue. What’s more personal than getting married at home or a place that has special meaning to you as a couple? Whether it’s your backyard in your first home together or the special place where you grew up or first fell in love—there’s something so special about a backyard wedding.
Once you decide on the venue, that’s when the magic begins. A backyard wedding is unique in every way, and the options are limitless when it comes to a theme, the menu, décor, time, logistics and more.
Our Queen of Hearts Catering team loves Philadelphia backyard weddings and is here to help with tips and guidance along the way!
Christie Green Photography
Philadelphia Backyard Wedding Ideas
Backyard Wedding Themes
From neutral whimsical to over-the-top glam, the sky is the limit when it comes to selecting a theme for your outdoor backyard wedding.
Backyard Wedding Catering Ideas
There’s so much flexibility when selecting a menu for a backyard wedding; surprise your guests with a deliciously unique menu crafted just for you.
Backyard Wedding Decor Ideas
Think dreamy string lighting, lanterns or chandeliers, rich wood accents—overall pieces that will enhance the natural ambiance of your big day.
When planning a backyard wedding, many couples struggle to come up with a theme because a backyard is the epitome of a blank canvas. Here are a few backyard wedding ideas we love:
Philadelphia Backyard Wedding Theme Ideas
Backyard BBQ
Backyard and BBQ go hand in hand, so why not use that as a guiding theme for your big day? With family and friends all around, delicious BBQ bites, all the tasty local brews and long wooden tables with hay bales for seating, you have an epic backyard BBQ wedding in a few simple steps.
Whimsical Wonderland
Outdoor weddings are whimsical in nature, being surrounded by lush green space and natural surroundings. It’s easy to make it a dreamy, whimsical evening with twinkling lights over the dining space, lanterns in the trees and lining the walkways and romantic candles lighting the guest tables. Oh, and don’t forget all the beautiful blooms!
Outdoor Vintage
Set up cozy lounge areas with plush rugs, vintage couches and chaise lounge chairs, then decorate with lace and rich dark wood features.
Seasonal Soiree
When sourcing décor, it’s a lot easier when you consider the season! Imagine a fall fete with pumpkins and gourds lining your aisle and decorating the tables—or a summer celebration with wildflowers and sunflowers galore. Let’s be honest, s’mores are appropriate for every season, so end the night with a sweet treat.
Backyard Glam
Just because you’re getting married in your backyard doesn’t mean it can’t be an elegant affair! Think romantic chandeliers in the tent and trees, intricate crystal champagne glasses, sequin linens—the options are endless when it comes to elevating your celebration.
Matt Giambra Photography
Philadelphia Backyard Wedding Food Ideas
One of the best parts of a backyard wedding? Anything goes! That includes catering.
There are really no rules when planning the celebration of your dreams, so if you want to host indulgent comfort food stations or a brunch-themed fete, it’s up to you! The Queen of Hearts team is pro at selecting and designing unique menus that fit your personality as a couple.
Dinner Inspiration
You can start with some stationary or passed hors d’oeuvres followed by a decadent buffet or plated meal that will wow. Here are a few of our favorite backyard wedding catering selections:
- Toasted Bruschetta Display Served with a Trio of Toppings: Rosemary and Creamy Goat Cheese, Sun-Dried Tomato Boursin and Traditional Diced Tomato Basil Fresca with Fresh Breads and Crostini
- “Royal” Raw Bar A unique display that includes Jumbo Shrimp, Oysters in Shot Glasses and Crab Claws packed in Shaved Ice
- Stuffed Salmon Stuffed with Leeks, Roasted Red Peppers and Spinach
- Champagne Chicken Medallions of Chicken with Wild Mushrooms and Leeks in a Champagne and Pink Peppercorn Sauce
- Fontina Sun-Dried Tomato Stuffed Beef Served with Sun-dried Tomato Butter Sauce
What we love about all these options is that they’re light but flavorful. Perfect for a dinner under the stars!
Seasonal Selections
One thing you’ll want to consider when selecting your menu is the season. Queen of Hearts Catering prides themselves on sourcing fresh, local ingredients whenever possible. So, for example, if you’re getting married in the fall, choose the Harvest Salad to start. It’s a selection that is filled to the brim with sweet cranberries that just tastes like the season!
Late-Night Bites
Morby Photography
While your guests dance the night away, they’re going to work up an appetite! Late-night catering is a super trendy option right now, and we have some amazing partners that help solve those late-night munchies. Two of our favorites are The Lost Cow for made-to-order cheesesteaks and Common Good Pizza & Tap for wood-fired pizza. There’s something so fun about setting up mobile stations right in your backyard; it adds an element of delight and surprise for guests while treating their taste buds before they go home.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to menu options. If you want a full look at our most recent release of backyard-inspired menus, you can check them out on our website and select whatever option speaks to you and your partner the most!
Philadelphia Backyard Wedding Decor Ideas
When planning an outdoor wedding, you can have a ton of fun with décor. You don’t have to stick with the ballroom norms of simple tables, chairs and uplighting; you can get a little creative with it.
Here are a few of our favorite outdoor décor ideas. You can pick and choose a couple to add for your big day to match the style and theme you’re going for, and you can even DIY one or two to save some money.
Ceremony arch with all the beautiful blooms
You want your ceremony to be stunning. An easy addition is a wooden arch as a backdrop that’s covered from top to bottom with lush greenery and your chosen blooms.
Bold and beautiful lounge area
For a boho vibe, gather bold Persian rugs and pair with nude-colored vintage furniture to craft comfy lounge seating areas begging to be photographed.
Lawn games
There is no better addition to cocktail hour than a little friendly competition. Consider adding giant Jenga, cornhole, ladder ball or bocce.
All the dreamy lighting
Whether it’s string lighting around the dance floor and reception space or romantic candlelit lanterns lining the walkways, there are so many options for dreamy lighting additions to customize your day. If you’re going glam, consider hanging crystal chandeliers from the treetops for real impact!
Hanging elements
From geometric floral holders in the trees near the ceremony to glass globes hanging above the reception space with candles and flowers, there are so many ways to incorporate hanging décor. Maybe a floral chandelier?
Vintage windows
Use white-painted windows scrawled with names for your seating chart, or use them for signage throughout the space to add a little vintage flair.
This is just the beginning! There are so many options for outdoor décor—a quick search or conversation with our Queen of Hearts team will definitely leave you with even more backyard wedding décor inspiration!
I couldn’t be more satisfied with the loyalty, respect, dedication and dependability with QOH. I had the time of my life at my wedding, mostly due to the fact that I had not one worry because every base was covered. Not to mention, I still have people raving about the quality of service and food. There is not one thing I would change about my wedding day, and I owe a huge shout-out to QOH for making that possible!
-Angela, 7/13/2019, via The Knot
Samantha Jay Photography
Are You Ready to Plan a Dreamy Philadelphia Backyard Wedding?
At Queen of Hearts Catering, we are prepared to cater and execute events in any setting. This includes your backyard! Our team has years of experience transforming special, non-traditional venues—like the home of the happy couple—into a dream wedding destination. From décor to dessert, we have every single detail covered. We’ll work with you through every step of the planning process to ensure you have the time of your life at your wedding, stress-free.
If you’re ready to discuss your vision for your dream Philadelphia backyard wedding, give us a call today or contact us online.
We can’t wait to hear your vision and help you make it a reality!
