When a bride and groom tie the knot, nothing says more about new life and love than a garden reception.

As Jenny and Mark Wilkes were planning their November 2006 wedding reception, the Granite Bay couple didn't have to look far for the perfect spot to celebrate their marriage with family and friends.

"I had always wanted to hold our reception at my family's home," says Jenny Wilkes. "It is the place where I have been the happiest, so it seemed fitting I should spend one of my happiest days there."

Throwing what could be the biggest party of your life in your own backyard can sound a bit overwhelming at first, but home and garden events do offer couples many benefits, starting with the freedom to create a truly custom celebration.

Debra Hiebert, owner of Très Fabu Event Planning and Design, says if you have 80 to 100 square feet of free backyard space, any event is manageable with good planning. Based in El Dorado Hills, Hiebert's Très Fabu (French for "very fabulous") event team transformed the Wilkes' backyard space into a 16th century villa.

"Jenny shared with me that she envisioned an Italian Renaissance wedding full of the colors merlot and chocolate with warm candlelight and a tent dripping with crystals," says Hiebert. "I ran with it. We wanted to keep it warm, inviting, and charming."

Wilkes remembers feeling a bit nervous about an outdoor reception on a November evening, but Hiebert promised there would be no surprises.

For 10 years Hiebert has worked with the Wright family of Celebrations! party rentals in Roseville to transform ordinary backyards into gorgeous galas.

"You don't even feel like you're in a backyard," says Celebrations! Sales Associate Lacey Wright. "You're in a ballroom. It's amazing. We have a huge selection of tablecloths you can mix and match. We can play with linens and set up china. We offer air conditioning and heating. Brides do come in and design their own wedding. In the end, you're in a tent, completely decorated."

When Hiebert first contacted Celebrations! about the Wilkes' reception, she knew a tent would play a key role in the total backyard transformation. Although not a requirement, the tent ensures guests will feel comfortable spending hours outdoors and also adds an artistic element to the affair.

"The tent was to be an extension of (the bride's family's) hospitality and heart," says Hiebert. "I borrowed this lovely Italian tapestry from the top of (her parents') stairs. I purchased a wrought iron rod from Lowes and hung not only the tapestry, but a heavy mirror. I also used 12 of their formal dining room chairs to lend warmth and a bit more of the Renaissance feel that Jenny so wanted."

With a complete team of lighting experts, floral artists and a husband who's a general contractor she calls "muscle man," Heibert can turn any backyard space into an outdoor oasis.

She remembers asking Wilkes's gardener to save all blown leaves to decorate the dance floor with fall foliage. To enhance the garden, Hiebert planted topiaries. For added warmth and stability, her design team installed and painted a tent sub-floor dark chocolate with a copper sparkle glaze.

Next, Hiebert hung a large, decorative "W" behind the head table. For ceiling drama, Hiebert transferred chandeliers from the house to the tent.

The classic feeling of light and dark came to life with more than 500 crystals inside the tent and 800 candles adorning the garden.

"Using items from one's home to enhance an event space is a great way to save on your overall budget; but it makes the event even more special when you use items that have special memories from your very own home," says Hiebert.

Before the first guests arrive, Hiebert always sets aside a special time for a private unveiling so newlyweds can enjoy some time alone in their beautiful backyard.

"This was the first time we'd seen the tent," remembers Wilkes. "Mark and I walked in and we were amazed. It was one of those moments where you wish you could stop time and take it all in."

Another benefit to hosting at home is a flexible time line. Newlyweds and guests can relax and let the evening play out on their own schedule.

"I've seen backyard events where it's so fabulous and guests are so comfortable, people don't want to leave," says Hiebert. "That's really special."

The cost for the whole affair can also be much more reasonable says Wright.

"There are so many different options. For a wedding with 100 guests you can rent everything for as little as $1,200 using the basic chair, the basic table, the basic linen. We have very reasonable prices for our quality. Our delivery for Granite Bay is just $35."

And dressing up the backyard can take theme weddings to a new level.

"We had one client who said they wanted to make it look like they got married in Provence. So we used natural fabrics and white bistro style china," says Wright. "For a contemporary wedding I'd suggest a more streamlined look. There are lots of vineyard themes with purples and greens. We have dark wood cane back chairs. Maybe use an olive organza chair bow sash. We also have the wine barrel bar and you can even use it as your buffet table. And our wrought iron chandeliers look great with any theme."

Whether you want to visit the 16th century or keep it contemporary, backyard receptions can bring warmth, romance and special gifts from Mother Nature that ensure any event will be a distinct moment in time.