Need some ideas for a FUN backyard bbq reception?
We are getting married at a different location near a waterfall but thought about having a backyard bbq for a reception where we live. We live on my fiance’s grandparents farm. They have a really pretty red barn and we though about having our reception next to it. Plus they have an orchard next to the barn which we think MIGHT be in bloom at the time.
Here is what we kind of planned on having so far for our reception:
FOOD
Hamburgers (may substitute the burgers for brisket – looking at the price difference on that at the moment), Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, Green Salad with choice of homemade Italian or Ranch dressing, chips, dip, maybe a veggie tray, lots of sweets including the bride and grooms cake.
DECORATIONS
Maybe use some real flowers from a grocery store for the tables. We thought about decorating mason jars and putting the flowers inside those. Then I would probably use silk flowers to dress up the black wooden fence around the barn. They have some pretty decent ones at hobby lobby and they always have sales on that kind of stuff.
We also thought of using those big galvonized metal looking tubs to put ice/drinks in.
I think I will either use gingham print table covers or I might just go with some other solid color. I really don’t want to use white because it is so overused but I don’t want to be tacky either.
We also planned on using bales of hay (they have a loft full of hay that we could use) for guests to sit on. We will probably still set up a couple of tables as well though.
ENTERTAINMENT
I think this is where we need the most help. We don’t really have the money for a live band or anything so we will probably just do the ipod thing.
Should we set up games for people to play? I.e. horseshoes?
Any ideas are appreciated! I would love to hear some new, fresh ideas or anything unique. We really don’t want the whole “formal” thing going on. I could care less if people make toasts and I actually prefer they don’t lol. Also we don’t want dancing either. We really just want something more laid back.
Thanks to everyone for your ideas!
I agree with the bales of hay. I will probably find some blankets to put down over the bales so it won’t hurt to sit on them 
As for the food, I am trying to think of something different than burgers for sure. That is why I thought of brisket and sausages would be good too. We definitely wouldn’t have the money to do grilled fish or shrimp. We’re hoping to keep the food budget at approx $200-300. Were estimating 40 people to show up.
And a bonfire would be a fun idea! There is a pond nearby where we usually build a fire and I thought maybe for the guests that stay late (probably our closests friends) we would do a bonfire with smores!
