How do I plan a garden wedding?

A garden wedding can be lovely, but it needs careful planning. First, check whether your garden is suitable. Is the ground even? Will it be muddy in wet weather? You may need to lay temporary flooring or a dance floor. Next, sort the legal side. In England and Wales, a civil ceremony cannot take place in a private garden unless the garden is part of an approved venue. You can have a registrar attend, but only if the location is licensed. Check with your local register office about whether they can come to your home. In Scotland, you can marry almost anywhere with the registrar's agreement. In Northern Ireland, check with the registrar. If you cannot have a legal ceremony in the garden, many couples have a short civil ceremony elsewhere and a garden blessing or party. Then plan the practicalities: toilets, power, water, lighting, heating, and parking. You may need to hire a generator and portable toilets. Arrange for a marquee or a large tent in case of rain. Think about noise if you have neighbours, and check any local restrictions. Finally, plan the flow of the day, from the ceremony spot to the drinks area, the dining tables and the dance floor. Keep the guest list realistic for the space.