Intimate backyard wedding ceremonies used to be budget affairs, but in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more couples are turning to luxe backyard weddings to celebrate their relationships with the people who matter most to them. These weddings offer opportunities to combine sophisticated details with the comforts of a couple’s home. Jena and David’s intimate backyard wedding in Mandeville, LA was full of luxe details and, most importantly, opportunities to connect with each other and their community.
A Luxe Backyard Wedding
A luxe backyard wedding is all about the details. The atmosphere is just familiar enough to be comfortable but still a special experience. Jena and David’s ceremony space brought together a number of elements that elevated the yard while embracing the wilderness just beyond.
For the ceremony, an elegant runner created an aisle leading to the arbor draped with lush florals and white fabric. With the gold chairs, these details combined to transport guests. You would hardly believe this was a family backyard! Yet, the lights of Jena’s father’s home glowed behind them, grounding the luxurious moment in that personal connection.
When people feel at home on their wedding day, they can stay present and let me catch small, unposed moments that mean the most. Jena took a moment to rest on her father’s porch swing. Her joy could not be clearer as she arranges the layers of fabric around her legs.
Intimate backyard weddings can be highly personalized because you’re not constricted by a venue’s timeline or prepackaged way of doing things. You can do whatever honors your relationship and helps you focus on your partner and people around you.
This includes having whatever food you want! A luxe backyard wedding can include a delicious meal and cocktail offerings. Whether you have a seated dinner or cocktail tables to encourage mingling, florals, candles, and other decor can continue the sophisticated feeling created by a luxurious ceremony space.
Florals can make a big impact in any venue, but they are especially powerful in transforming a backyard into an oasis. At Jena and David’s wedding (featured here), Jena wanted the florals to add to the luxe, detail-oriented experience. Their florist came through with a stunning bouquet, arch, and table arrangement.
Poignant Polaroid Wedding Photos
While the details and decor at Jena and David’s wedding created a luxe atmosphere, the focus stayed on moments of intimate connection. Their Polaroid wedding photos captured the more personal aspects of the day. I love the photo of Jena sitting on her bed during prep because it conveys the emotion of the day in a deeply personal space.
The colors and quality of Polaroid wedding photos create an instant heirloom. There’s a nostalgic feeling to the warm Polaroid colors and softened edges. The images are pure, unscripted emotion. What better way to highlight the relationships at the heart of your wedding day?
I could go on and on about film to be honest! If you want to learn more about why I do wedding photography on film, check out this blog post.
Jena and David’s Intimate Backyard Wedding
Jena and David are both attorneys, and it’s no surprise that their wedding details were well thought-out and meaningful down to the date. The wedding, which took place in Mandeville, Louisiana on September 25, was held on the tenth anniversary of their first date.
Their luxe backyard wedding occurred at the Mandeville home of Jena’s father less than a month after Hurricane Ida. Fortunately, there wasn’t much damage. However, the couple wanted to take some portraits with the debris to commemorate the experience. I appreciate that these photos spoke to the truths of their lives in the time leading up to the ceremony.
This detail-focused backyard wedding was luxe but on an intimate scale. Despite the elevated decor, the home environment was comfortable and welcoming. This is exactly the type of wedding I love!
The main focal point of Jena and David’s intimate backyard wedding was the food. The couple wanted their guests to have a memorable culinary experience, so they had multiple food vendors and fancy cocktails. They even had a Louisiana oyster bar, taco truck, and BBQ from The Joint.
Are you interested in having me photograph your intimate backyard wedding? Let’s connect.
Thanks to all the vendors who made this day possible:
Florals: Violeta’s Floral & Plant Shop
Makeup: Wildflower
Hair: Air Salon and Blow Dry Bar
Catering: My House Events
Tent and chairs: Southern Hospitality Event Rental
