Backyard Weddings: A Growing Trend
Numerous couples have had to alter their wedding plans due to Covid-19. To maximize social distancing and keep things as low-risk as possible, an open-air event is a great option to consider! Intimate outdoor weddings are becoming the norm for 2020 + 2021 and, y’all, I am HERE FOR IT. Whether it's just you and your boo, a few VIP guests, or an elope-now-party-later situation, I’m here to help capture this special moment between the two of you.
HERE’S WHY I THINK BACKYARD ELOPEMENTS ROCK:
They’re super convenient. You have a familiar space to get ready, most family members won’t have any issues finding the place, and allows you to have control over the whole situation.
More personal. Surrounded by your closest friends and family, you’ll have more time to spend quality time with each of your guests. You can dive deeper into your ceremony and make it all about you two. Maybe have some parents share some marriage wisdom or epic toasts!
Gives you the opportunity to consider a weekday wedding when more vendors will have more availability.
Save money and go all out with some vendors. You could invest some of the money saved into an unforgettable table scape and floral accents, or perhaps catering from that chef that you totally LOVE.
Endless opportunities to get creative! You can customize the space how you want (without venue rules and restrictions) and even add personal touches by bringing certain elements from your own home into your wedding decor and details.
PLANNING YOUR WEDDING WHILE SOCIAL DISTANCING
Plan for things that you can control (ie: music, photographer, hair + make-up) while waiting for further safety guidelines which can change at any moment.
Hire a videographer or stream your ceremony with loved ones who can’t physically be there to celebrate with you.
Make a plan to easily distribute gloves and masks for your guests and properly ensure physical distancing.
Ditch the buffet style dinners and have designated people to distribute food to plates. Or consider renting out your favorite local food truck to keep things unique while simultaneously keeping guests safe.
Think about parking and bathroom accommodations for guests. Start by communicating with your neighbors about your backyard wedding plans so they know what to expect. If the area around your home is scarce when it comes to parking, consider asking your neighbors if their driveways and parking spaces can be utilized for the day. To save space, ask your guests to carpool where possible. Depending on how many guests (and bathrooms) you have, providing the proper restroom accommodations may be tricky, especially if you don’t want people tracking in and out of your house. Though there aren’t many options outside of hiring port-a-johns or a restroom trailer, you can limit the need for bathroom use by keeping your wedding day as short and sweet as possible.
For additional wedding planning tips, contact me! I’m here to help!
NOW BOOKING!
So, if the restrictions and uncertainty of your original plans are keeping you up at night, it may be worth considering saying “I do” in the comfort of your backyard. It might be different from how you imagined, but I assure you it won’t be any less magical.
Because I adore capturing these intimate ceremonies SO much, I've decided to offer a special on backyard weddings until the end of the year — click here for more details!
Please note: the photos below are from a pre-Covid wedding that I second shot for Sarah E Dunn last fall (hence the absence of face masks and social distancing). Scroll down and check out how precious!
