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.Need some ideas for a FUN backyard bbq reception?
Your ideas are unique - in the best possible way. You've really thought this through (which is much better than some people I can name). I'm assuming this fits right into you and your fiance's personalities. Good for you! It's "your day", so it should be something YOU enjoy - not necessarily something you're paying off for the next year.



* The sitting-on-hay-bales idea - You might want to give the female guests a heads-up, since hay isn't all that great for certain materials. You could always have other seating options available, or have a few blankets ready just in case. How about picnic blankets for those who want it?



* The music - Have a decent speaker for your ipod, and it should be perfectly fine. Put the ipod on shuffle, play the music you like. That's all that counts, in the end. Nowhere does it say "you must have dancing at a wedding"... But don't be surprised if at least one couple spontaneously decides to dance along to a song they like. : )



Entertainment - Since you're going to be outside and you'll have the room, why not set up horseshoes or croquet or other lawn games you like? Depending on the dress code you choose and the likes/dislikes of your guests, you could even consider putting up a volleyball net or having a soccer ball ready to kick around. (Go as all-out as you and your fiance are comfortable with, not what other tell you is appropriate.)



Congrats!
I think you can set up some games for any kids that are going, and the adults can have a try if they feel like. Usually (I think) the adults prefer talking to one another, so the kids (if any) would be busy eating and playing and the adults eating and talking.Need some ideas for a FUN backyard bbq reception?
I've never even been to a place like you described with barns %26amp; horeshoes but it sure sounds FUN!! I don't normally like a huge deviation from a classy wedding %26amp; I can't stand themes especially but for some reason I totally love where you're going with this. It sounds really cool, and laid back, and warm, and inviting.



I like the idea of the galvonized tubs for drinks %26amp; the tablecloths sound perfect for what you're going for. My ONLY problem is the bales of hay. I've only sat on one of those one time (at a weird horse racing thing) and immediately got bit by a spider. Plus, it was poking my butt %26amp; sticking to my pants, etc. Not good.



As for the food, I'm a big fan of BBQ %26amp; I grill all Summer long but I think you might be going just a little too simple for a reception. Hot dogs %26amp; burgers are more birthday party to me. You can do grilled shrimp on skewers, various sausages that can be cut up %26amp; plated with toothpicks for appetizers, have some dips like spinach with a baguette, grilled fish is always amazing, grilled potatoes with a rosemary garlic marinade, grilled asparagus with butter sauce, skewers of steak with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes. Do some fruit %26amp; veggie trays for snacking too. You have lots of options with grilling.
We had something kind of similar because we had a destination wedding, but then had a big party a few months later at home (I mean locally, not at our home)...we served a similar menu, including wedding cake, but because it wasn't an actual wedding reception (just a celebration of our marriage, if you get what I mean), we wanted to make it more of just a fun party then the typical wedding reception.



Besides the food, we did offer games for people to play. They were a huge hit! We had musical chairs for the adults and another round for the children. We had a water balloon toss, and also a free throw contest (2 groups again for kids and adults) and we gave prizes to the winners. The games were a ball, and those who chose to participate really got a lot of laughs out of it. We also had something we call Tricky Trays (I know it goes by lots of names elsewhere) where we brought back a bunch of stuff from our honeymoon, and as each person came in, we gave them tickets (gave, not sold) they could put into the cup beside these prizes. We made sure we had things for the kids and the adults like Crayola kits and bottles of rum and all kinds of things. I could not believe how well that went over! I never had such a captive audience before!!!! We had a dj, so people danced, but it was also nice just for background music. Besides that, we had one of those inflatable bounce houses delivered fro the kids to jump around in. They sure loved that one!



We decorated by blowing up pictures from our wedding and placing them all over the venue so people could see the wedding even if they couldn't be there in person. We also had some small pix of the wedding on the individual tables.



No matter what you do, your guests will enjoy themselves. They're there for a party, and it sounds like you're on the right track. I hope you get at least some useful ideas from this, but either way, have a great time!Need some ideas for a FUN backyard bbq reception?
Food:

Get some chicken or beer-boiled (substitute half the boiling water with beer_ ribs on your menu.



Flowers:

depending on how many tables you have, it actually might be cheaper for you to get flowers wholesale online



Alternate gingham and white table clothes.



Setting up games is perfectly fine



ipod is fine too
That is such a wonderful idea! Fun, cozy, relaxed atmosphere- a perfect way for both families to get to know each other!

I would suggest the type of games that you would see at family reunions, but I'm not sure how your guests will be dressed. You don't want them to ruin their nice clothes. Maybe suggesting that they bring a change of clothes?



Tug-of-War (bride's side vs. groom's side maybe?)

That one game where you have people spin around with their forehead on a baseball bat and then race to the finish line

Corn holes



Ever think about a bonfire at the end of the evening?