Is your wedding be held at a private residence or your parents’ backyard? If so, you’ve come the right place!

Today’s post features a beautiful backyard wedding inspired by pale blue color palette with soft ivory and lush greenery. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate weddings that takes place at a private residence because of the intimate vibe and relaxed settings. It just feels more authentic and less… orchestrated (especially compared to places where the venue has all sort of rules and restrictions). Every time my brides tell me their wedding is “just being held in the their parents’ backyard”, those weddings end up being some of the most special and beautiful weddings that I’ve photographed. Many times, the “backyard” is a spacious property with unique features and a beautiful grand house.

Backyard weddings can be very beautiful if planned properly. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• the view that your guests will see as they’re watching the ceremony (remember your guests and wedding photographer will be taking lots of photos during the ceremony so you will want the best backdrop possible). Also, keep in mind the time of the ceremony and where the sun will be at (you don’t want the sun in your guests’ eyes the entire time)
• bathroom options (you can rent elegant portable restrooms nowadays with air conditioning included!); you don’t want the guests going in and out of the house all day long
• ensure there’s enough parking spaces for your guests
• room for vendors (i.e. your caterers will most likely need a tent of their own to warm up food and prepare the dishes)
• keep your decor to a minimum as decorations outdoors will look and feel very different from indoor decorations; you’ll be out in nature with a broader surrounding so your decoration will look small in comparison and sometimes even crafty rather than elegant (especially if the wind blows it out place)
• incorporate some outdoor string lights and turn them on in the evening to create a more intimate feel
• guests tend to roam around more at a private residence so if you want them in a certain area, be sure to strategically place the bar, chairs and stand-up tables in those areas
• keep the mosquitos and bugs away by installing repellant lamps around

I hope some these tips are helpful as you plan your backyard wedding. Here are some images that I took that will bring you some inspiration:

Photography by: DreamBox Photography

Host: Julie Paisley

Styling & Florals: Cedarwood Weddings

Hair & Makeup: Locks By Leslie

Shoes: Bella Belle Shoes

Stationery: Designs In Paper

Backyard wedding ideas | Michigan weddings | Wedding photographer in west Michigan | Grand Rapids Wedding Photographer