• Backyard weddings give you the freedom to be casual.wedding image by Alison Bowden from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>
  
  Getting married at home is a popular way to avoid some of the stress and expense of a traditional wedding. Not only do you save on venue and catering costs, but with the right attitude, you can transform the space into something intimate, romantic and one-of-a-kind.
  
  

Dress Code

• A $5,000 wedding dress with a 20-foot train may be appropriate for a venue that holds 600 guests and an organ, but in your back yard, it will look ostentatious and out of place. Your dress should match the venue, so embrace the low-key atmosphere with a relaxed, comfortable, no-frills dress. Invite your bridesmaids to do the same: Cocktail dresses are more appropriate than gaudy gowns. Allow your groom to wear a nice suit rather than a tuxedo, and invite your guests to dress semi-casually. When you get married in the grass, ties are optional.
  
  

Planning Ahead

• It may be at your house, but a backyard wedding is not a last-minute substitution for a traditional venue. You need to consider just as many complications, if not more, and you need to do so early. For example, plan for parking for your guests. Determine if you have a flat, level area appropriate for seating and dancing. Talk to your electric company to see if you need a generator to power the DJ, the lights and any mobile catering. If you have any horticultural demands, plant your flowers months in advance.
  
  

Do It Yourself

• Most wedding costs come from expensive services like photographers and venues. Since you're going DIY for the venue, do the same for other major expenses--you'll be surprised at how much you save. For example, instead of hiring a DJ--an expense that can cost upwards of $1,000--use a substantial personal stereo with an MP3 player hookup. Instead of buying expensive supplies like invitations from a professional printer, design your own on the computer and print them at an office supply store. Catering is also a major expense, so save on food costs by recruiting a few relatives to grill for you, or host a potluck reception. These are cost-saving measures that may be unfit for traditional weddings, but when the reception is at your house, the affair is casual enough to scale back a bit.