True Story About a Backyard Wedding This Past May

Debbie Donohue
Jun 9
5 min read

From Prosperity Mansion and Farm, an outdoor / garden wedding venue in Frederick MD. www.prosperitymansion.com

This is a true story of a bride's heart-wrenching dilemma that serves as a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of weather on such a momentous occasion.

In the winter, I had a bride contact me asking for a specific date this May. I did have that available. After chatting with her for quite a while and on numerous occasions, she scheduled a tour for her to see everything in person. The day of the tour ,she cancelled saying that her sitter didn’t show up. She scheduled tour #2 which she canceled saying someone was sick. Yes, she did schedule a third tour. This time she was a "no show".

Weeks later she sent me an email saying that she wasn’t able to come up with the money for the wedding. She said that she spent the weekend in bed crying over the loss of a decent wedding venue. I offered a Micro wedding and even a Courthouse wedding that was super simple and cost very little. I received no response. Micro / Small weddings and Courthouse, Intimate, Elopement weddings, are designed to provide a memorable experience without breaking the bank.

Next, about a month before the brides wedding date, she emailed saying that due to a lack of funds they had decided to get married in someone’s backyard. She wanted to know if she could rent my things for a backyard wedding. Such as tables and chairs etc. I advised her to contact a rental company. She said that she had and couldn’t believe how much everything cost. She was devastated at how the cost of what was supposed to be a simple backyard wedding was adding up.

Fast forward to the week of her wedding. I received yet another email from this same bride. Just days before her wedding, she found herself in tears, grappling with the reality that her budget friendly backyard celebration might be washed away by rain. With no tent and no backup plan for her 80 guests, she reached out in desperation. She wanted to know if I still had her date available. It was not; it was already booked. The weather reports were calling for torrential down pours. She said that she had already paid for the food and everything so she couldn’t change the date. She said that now what was supposed to be her special day was ruined. Instead of enjoying the approaching date of her wedding, the reality that her backyard wedding was now at risk. She was consumed with anxiety instead of being able to enjoy her approaching wedding day.

The allure of a budget-friendly option may seem appealing to some. Until they consider rain and the hidden costs that can quickly add up. From the need for a tent, tables and chairs décor, games, restrooms a place to get ready permits, parking and the list goes on. With constant worry about the weather, the stress can overshadow the joy of what should be a beautiful occasion.

We prioritize your wedding day. While we are not God and have no control over the weather, we do have a Plan B which can easily accommodate all of your guests and the celebration can go on as scheduled. Whether it’s a full day, DREAM wedding, Courthouse, Intimate wedding , or a Micro / Small wedding. We literally have you covered.

Affordable weddings in Frederick Co MD are here at Prosperity Mansion and Farm

The Three Biggest Categories of Couples that Contemplate a Backyard Wedding

1) They truly cannot afford anything other than a backyard. Times can be tough.

2) One part of the wedding party doesn’t see why anyone would spend money on a nice wedding. So, they squash their partners dream that she has had since she was a little girl in favor of hot dogs and beer in someone’s backyard.

3) This couple, one or both of them, can well afford a nice wedding, but they are so frugal that they opt for someone backyard come heck or literally highwater. Maybe $10,000+ just for the venue will leave a sour in their mouth as well as many people. But rest assured that there are wedding venues such as Prosperity Mansion and Farm that are far less expensive, affordable and lovely as well.

Yes, there are wedding venues that are crazy expensive. But there are also wedding venues like us, at Prosperity Mansion and Farm located in Frederick MD, that is truly affordable and never sacrifices beauty or amenities.

1) Consider that it can actually cost more to get married in someone's backyard when you add everything up.

2) Another major aspect is the work involved in setting and breaking down the event.

3) There are times that the person yard is damaged and that can cause a rift in the relationship.

4) If someone is injured, did you buy adequate event insurance in excess of 1 million dollars

5) If the persons property that you are using is damaged, how will you make repairs.

We begin preparing the grounds, tent bridal cottage, mancave and ceremony site 3-4 days before the actual event. It’s a major undertaking to prepare for a wedding and with many people that we hire to help.

We keep in mind to have Plan B ready at a moment’s notice. We are also fielding questions from the bride, family, guests and vendors.

We help to make sure that vendors have signed contracts with insurance to protect the couple when applicable. If some accident happens or damage occurs at or from your uninsured event, you do not want to have a law suit on your hands. That is no way to begin your married life, under a cloud of being sued and whatever financial obligations that may bring.

You may consider cutting your guest list to allow you to afford a wedding venue. Many couples are now opting to not invite children unless they are immediate family as a savings. You may also consider a Micro / Small wedding package. Other couples are doing a Courthouse weddings, Intimate wedding or Elopement until they can save and have the wedding of their dreams when finances aren’t as strained. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us to discuss options and ideas. Your dream wedding IS within reach but maybe with some tweaks.

If the weather throws a curve ball, we have a plan B. We remind you to look at the big picture such as:

Getting insurance, pulling permits, hiring reputable vendors that will show up on your wedding day and have insurance, renting thousands of dollars of items such as a tent, tables and chairs , lights, serving table, restrooms, and help to make sure that everything before the wedding, during the wedding and afterwards goes off as smoothly as possible.

We have written several articles regarding backyard weddings. And when they go off without a hitch that is wonderful. But its when they do not that makes me shutter. I am always frightened of a couple’s special day turning into a day they will always remember for all the wrong reasons.