Your big day doesn't have to be held at a big venue (with an even bigger price tag). Tying the knot at home allows for a more intimate and comfortable celebration. You will be grateful you decided to celebrate your wedding in a familiar setting surrounded by the most important people in your lives. All it requires is some careful planning to ensure that all the pressure is off you on your wedding day and that you can enjoy the start of your new life with a healthy amount of money stashed away.

*First Things First

First, you need to determine your budget and guest list size.

A wedding in a typical backyard (about one-quarter acre) is best kept at a maximum of 25 guests. If you can't keep your guest list this trim, a backyard wedding may not be for you, unless you are able to secure a large estate property. It's important to nail down the guest list size before moving forward with any planning.

The budget is largely up for you to decide. Just remember that you will likely be saving about $10,000, which was the average cost of a wedding venue in 2021, according to The Knot. This leaves plenty of room to either get creative with low-cost decorations or splurge on extravagant details.

Next, you'll have to make sure that you're able to pull off a backyard wedding at your chosen location. Ensure there's enough parking for everyone on the street. If not, see if you can use a vacant lot at a church or school nearby. It also wouldn't hurt to encourage your guests to carpool or Uber. Check all street signs and local ordinances to be sure none of your guests get parking tickets.

Also, you have to let the neighbors know what's going on -- but you don't have to invite them if you don't want to.

*Getting It Together

Your backyard is likely a blank slate that will need lots of dressing up to transform into an event space. Here is everything you'll need to tie the wedding together (most of which will need to be rented):

-- Tables and chairs

Assess your space and determine how you want to lay out the tables and chairs. You may elect for a long, banquet-style table that serves as a centerpiece of the evening. Or you may want to spread small, round tables throughout so your guests each sit in small groups. Don't forget to also make sure you have tables for the gifts and the cake.

-- Tents

If your backyard allows for it, putting up a large tent with sides over the reception area adds a flowy style, protection from the sun and security in case of unexpected weather. It also helps to divide the space between where the ceremony and reception occur. A professional tent rental company can also lay down a dancefloor if you'd like -- something worth considering if you have a lot of grass and don't want your guests with high heels sinking into it.

-- Food and Drink

Though 25 guests may not seem like much at first glance, it will once you realize how much you'll need to feed everyone. Therefore, having the food and drinks professionally made is ideal for a smooth wedding day. Unless you have a chef's kitchen, the caterers will have to bring in their own kitchen, so make sure there is space for this -- and for a bar. You'll also need to rent dishes, glasses and flatware.

-- Entertainment

Decide whether you want your cellphone or a professional to be the DJ for your event. Obviously, the latter costs more money and resources than the former. The latter also calls for bringing in some hefty sound equipment and checking your local noise ordinances to be sure you don't tick off those neighbors you didn't invite.

Keep your guests busy amidst the festivities with simple lawn games such as cornhole and ladder toss. Set up a bonfire if you have a pit and bring everyone together for some s'mores. Oh, and don't forget to hire a photographer to capture all those meaningful moments. You simply won't have the time to take pictures, and you can't rely on guests' cellphone pictures to do justice to the night.

-- Toilets

This is an often-overlooked aspect of the backyard wedding planning process: Will your septic tank at home be able to handle 25 guests using it throughout the day? Also, are you comfortable with having all these people go in and out of your home? If you don't want this or aren't able to provide your guests with an indoor bathroom, rent a bathroom trailer. You'll of course have to make sure there is room for it on the property.

-- Power

Between the entertainment equipment and the caterer's kitchen, your home will be using a lot more power than usual, so it is worth it to rent a generator.

There are plenty of seemingly insignificant details that need to be considered in order for a backyard wedding to happen successfully. However, every single aspect is crucial to ensure the guests have a memorable evening and that the to-be-wed couple start their partnership on a note full of love and pure intentions.