Not every couple likes an elaborate and extravagant wedding; some prefer a quiet and intimate place to say their vows to each other. You can bring your dream wedding close to your home―literally. Backyards are the new ballrooms for weddings that can accommodate a small to medium group. However, there are so many things that can go wrong while throwing a backyard bash. Is it worth the risk? Let's find out. Why you should say "I Do" in your backyard Your background is the canvas for a perfect wedding picture. The biggest advantage of a backyard wedding is having total control over the space. In case of a church or beach wedding, you are in somebody else's terrain and you have to abide by their rules, no matter how silly they sound. That might mean, no hanging of kissing balls from the ceiling of the church, or "spoiling the integrity" of a private lawn (whatever that is). However, in your own yard, you have the freedom to decorate or turn the place upside down to fit it into your wedding theme. It can also mean you have to let your creative juices flow in the right direction to wow your guests. The worst thing about traditional wedding is that you have to book the date, sometimes years in advance, if you are hell-bent on marrying on the Valentine's Day or on any other festival. With backyard wedding, you can bid goodbye to all the drama related to the date and choose one which suits you and your partner, as well as your family and friends. There are no rules, per se, for a backyard wedding. You can write them all yourself. But first, you need to check out your neighborhood's sound ordinances and parking rules. You may head off the beaten path by having dinner first, then saying your vows under the moonlit sky. As I said earlier, you can let your creative side shine through in such a situation. If your wedding is set in a garden-cum-backyard, half of your job is already done. You just have to complement the natural hues, by choosing a color palette that complements the outdoor, rather than compete with it. Go for romantic lighting, and create soft and subtle ambiance to depict the love that is already in the air. You may have to rent the decor items, if your 'crafty' ideas are not panning out. You can also ask your friends to pitch in ideas, and together, you can figure out great ways to personalize your wedding venue. Why you shouldn't tie the knot in your backyard Your yard might be large enough for 6 dogs, 4 cats and one tortoise, but once you place the tables, chairs, the tent, and other décor items, suddenly you find the huge place shrinking into a tiny turf. So, be conscious of the guest list and make sure everyone can fit in there comfortably, without much whispering. For starters, keep your guest list to a special few. You can add more people to it, once you pin down the details of the sitting arrangement and rest of the décor. As in any outdoor wedding, weather has a key role to play. However, you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Rent out a tent, which will serve as a shelter if there is a slight drizzle. In case of a downpour, you can always run inside the house. In hot, humid summer, don't forget to have the hand fans. Managing a drunk uncle or two can be tricky, but imagine if the whole guest lot is getting on your nerves. Avoid guest-related snafus by proper planning and allotting some responsible friends the duty of averting wedding disasters. Get liability insurance to knock the worry out of your mind. But then, there are the restrooms. Even for a big house, accommodating 50 people's call of nature might not be that easy. Make sure you have enough toilet paper rolls for the event. Weddings are a costly affair. You can't deny this fact―you will have to shell out a lot of money to get the perfect linen, paper products, a person to officiate the ceremony, for flowers, and a hundred-ten different things. Backyard wedding provisions can go either way, economical or extravagant. It depends on you and your ability to economize. Though you have all the freedom in the world to spruce up your place for a cozy wedding, the downside is, you have to do all these things on your own, unless you hire a professional. And professional help never comes cheap. So, make sure that you don't forget to put those extra bubbles or sparklers that you wanted to put. All this planning will take up a lot of your time, and can also be very stressful for the bride and groom. The popular TV character Homer Simpson defines wedding as "the process of removing weeds from the garden". Well, you may have to do that too if you are going for a swift backyard nuptial. The perfect location to have a simple wedding is right under your nose―your house's backyard. Keep one thing in mind―your budget―because the cost of wedding rentals can leave a dent in your pocket. Start your wedding preparations early, so that you can take things as they come.