When the Party Is the Point: A Guest-Focused
Backyard Wedding With Culture & Personality
Sarah & Jamie got married at a venue that felt like someone’s home…because it was! Tucked along the water with trees everywhere and a tent out back, it felt like cozy, personal, backyard wedding and was full of people who clearly loved the hell out of them.
The bridesmaids wore dresses in every color of the rainbow and the girls were doing tarot readings while they got ready. And the playlist was iconic. Sarah didn’t want typically robe photos, so we went outside where the girls blasted the portable speakers and were scream-singing Dancing Queen and honestly, it set the tone for the entire day!
Sarah is half Armenian, and the night before the wedding, she and Jamie—and a few guests too—had henna applied to their palms. It was such a beautiful tradition to honor her families culture and it made everything feel even more meaningful and personal.
And then right after the ceremony, like truly the seconds after they kissed, a freak storm rolled in. Sarah & Jamie practically ran down the aisle and back into the house mere seconds before a mini hurricane hit us. The ceremony chairs blew over. The arch nearly toppled. Everyone ran for cover into the tent! Jamie, Sarah and I made it into the house just in time. We hadn’t done portraits yet (they didn’t do a first look), so I handed them my umbrella and sent them to the tent to mingle while we waited it out. I told them that if it didn’t clear, I’d gift them a full portrait session another day. Luckily, the rain passed and we made some beautiful portraits!
Some of my favorite details from their backyard wedding:
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Sarah’s dress!! It had off the shoulder sleeves and an intricate design that shimmered slightly
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The rainbow bridesmaid lineup (still thinking about their group shots)
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Colorful tapered candles on the tables paired with colorful Armenian styled lanterns
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The reception playlist which was full-on 2000s pop punk chaos in the best way. Everyone was jumping up and down, screaming the songs at the top of their lungs (me included, I married a pop punk singer after all!)
The whole day just felt… alive, intentional and real. They didn’t try to make the wedding look a certain way. They just wanted to be with their people, celebrate their story, and have a damn good time. And that’s exactly what they did.
Planning a backyard wedding in Florida—or something that just feels like home? I’m a Florida wedding photographer who’s all about documenting weddings that are personal, playful, and full of heart. If that sounds like your kind of day, reach out here, I’d love to hear what you’re planning!
A few quick Qs about hosting a backyard wedding in Florida (or elsewhere), just in case you’re wondering…
Can I actually have a wedding at my parents’ house or backyard?
Yes. Just make sure your planner is familiar with building a wedding from scratch—think power, parking, lighting, bathrooms, etc. It can totally work and feel elevated if you have the right team. Backyard weddings are not typically cheaper than a venue because you have to provide everything yourself.
What happens if it rains and we didn’t do a first look?
You pivot! We waited it out, and it worked. But I always make sure my couples know I’ve got their back. For Jamie & Sarah, I offered to gift them a separate portrait session on a different day if the storm didn’t let up so they could have the couples portraits they had been dreaming of. (Spoiler: it did.)
We don’t have a massive floral budget—can the decor still feel intentional?
Absolutely. Sarah wore a stunning dress & had her bridesmaids in different colors for visual interest, tapered candles and colorful lanterns on the tables at the reception, and they draped the tent ceiling and had uplighting so it felt so full of personality. Thoughtful beats trendy every time.
