Andrea and Brandon’s intimate backyard wedding did not look at all like the wedding day they had originally been envisioning and planning for the past two years. With COVID-19 effectively cancelling their big plans for their traditional wedding at a venue in the San Francisco area, they scrambled at the last minute to put together something smaller and more suitable for the times, still making sure they could say their vows on the day they’d planned.
Andrea’s sister opened her home for the two immediate families to gather together to celebrate the newlyweds. They put up an arch with soft white drapery for the backyard ceremony, and arranged a long table with white tablecloths, greenery, candles, and twinkle lights on the patio for dinner. Another deck area served as a mini dance floor. Surrounded by trees and greenery, it could not have felt more like a private and intimate fairytale.
After getting dressed in her sister’s bedroom, Andrea walked out to meet her father and walk down the “aisle” to meet Brandon. Brandon’s uncle officiated their ceremony, and they said their vows in front of 11 members of their immediate family, along with everyone else invited to virtually follow along on their livestream. We spent the rest of the afternoon taking portraits until dinnertime, when everyone gathered around the table to eat, drink, and toast to the happy couple. After dark, Andrea and Brandon danced together under the string lights, and though the group was small, they still had the energy of a big party.
As much as I love the big wedding celebrations and all their glorious chaos, smaller weddings like this are really something special. There is less pressure on keeping with stiff traditions, less pressure on keeping a strict schedule for the day, and more focus on what really matters: two people pledging their lives to each other, and two families becoming one. I always tell my couples that the only “right” way to do your wedding is to say your vows and promise forever together; the rest is completely up to you and what feels right and special to you.
If there is anything positive to come out about this new world of COVID, it is this return to what really matters. I am so thrilled for all these couples who just say SCREW IT and get married no matter what it looks like, and no matter what former ideas they had.
To Andrea and Brandon, I’m glad you did the dang thing and got married!! Whether next year brings a new batch of belated wedding receptions or not, congratulations on embracing what is really important.
Scroll to see the photos from Andrea and Brandon’s sweet and intimate backyard wedding!
Hey friend! I’m Delia–a wedding photographer who loves adventure just as much as snuggling on the couch with her dog. My photography is fun and colorful and embraces the real you. I’m based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but I photograph weddings all throughout New Mexico, Colorado, and the southwest. I love to connect with and help my clients as much as possible. Check out the wedding planning tips section of my blog for more helpful advice.
And, if you liked this post, check out these other intimate weddings I’ve photographed:
Colorado Backcountry Campsite Elopement
Intimate Mountain Cabin Wedding
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Andrea and Brandon’s intimate backyard wedding did not look at all like the wedding day they had originally been envisioning and planning for the past two years. With COVID-19 effectively cancelling their big plans for their traditional wedding at a venue in the San Francisco area, they scrambled at the last minute to put together something smaller and more suitable for the times, still making sure they could say their vows on the day they’d planned.
Andrea’s sister opened her home for the two immediate families to gather together to celebrate the newlyweds. They put up an arch with soft white drapery for the backyard ceremony, and arranged a long table with white tablecloths, greenery, candles, and twinkle lights on the patio for dinner. Another deck area served as a mini dance floor. Surrounded by trees and greenery, it could not have felt more like a private and intimate fairytale.
After getting dressed in her sister’s bedroom, Andrea walked out to meet her father and walk down the “aisle” to meet Brandon. Brandon’s uncle officiated their ceremony, and they said their vows in front of 11 members of their immediate family, along with everyone else invited to virtually follow along on their livestream. We spent the rest of the afternoon taking portraits until dinnertime, when everyone gathered around the table to eat, drink, and toast to the happy couple. After dark, Andrea and Brandon danced together under the string lights, and though the group was small, they still had the energy of a big party.
As much as I love the big wedding celebrations and all their glorious chaos, smaller weddings like this are really something special. There is less pressure on keeping with stiff traditions, less pressure on keeping a strict schedule for the day, and more focus on what really matters: two people pledging their lives to each other, and two families becoming one. I always tell my couples that the only “right” way to do your wedding is to say your vows and promise forever together; the rest is completely up to you and what feels right and special to you.
If there is anything positive to come out about this new world of COVID, it is this return to what really matters. I am so thrilled for all these couples who just say SCREW IT and get married no matter what it looks like, and no matter what former ideas they had.
To Andrea and Brandon, I’m glad you did the dang thing and got married!! Whether next year brings a new batch of belated wedding receptions or not, congratulations on embracing what is really important.
Scroll to see the photos from Andrea and Brandon’s sweet and intimate backyard wedding!
Hey friend! I’m Delia–a wedding photographer who loves adventure just as much as snuggling on the couch with her dog. My photography is fun and colorful and embraces the real you. I’m based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but I photograph weddings all throughout New Mexico, Colorado, and the southwest. I love to connect with and help my clients as much as possible. Check out the wedding planning tips section of my blog for more helpful advice.
And, if you liked this post, check out these other intimate weddings I’ve photographed:
Colorado Backcountry Campsite Elopement
Intimate Mountain Cabin Wedding