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The Complete Guide to Planning a Meaningful Celebration at Home
backyard weddings
Inside the GuideA backyard wedding offers a rare kind of intimacy—where every detail feels personal, intentional, and deeply connected to the people and place around you. This guide walks you through everything from deciding if it’s right for you to designing, planning, and bringing it to life with clarity and care.
❋ Why backyard weddings are so special
We blend guided moments, open exploration, and space to reflect—so the experience feels both focused and fluid.
❋ Is a backyard wedding right for you?
Connection is a core part of the process. You’ll learn just as much from the group as from the content itself.
❋ Real Backyard Wedding Inspiration
Led by experienced guides who know how to hold space, encourage participation, and keep things moving with purpose.
❋ Logistics, Timeline & Execution
Led by experienced guides who know how to hold space, encourage participation, and keep things moving with purpose.
❋ Planning Your Backyard Wedding
Our events prioritize comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process.
❋ Bringing It All Together
Our events prioritize comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process.
Backyard weddings feel like gatherings, homegrown and put together with the love and help of family and friends. It’s the opposite of the dreaded “production”.
Backyard weddings can be as sentimental and nostalgic as a wedding could be.
Guests trickle in through your front door or the side yard, the same way you’ve done many times before. Your dog wanders through cocktail hour hoping to find a snack dropped in the grass. A neighbor curiously watches from their porch for a moment before disappearing again. The ceremony takes place beneath a tree that’s been in the family for decades, or in the backyard of your first home together.
Over the years, I’ve photographed many backyard weddings. Some in childhood homes, some on family properties in the countryside, and others at rented homes and Airbnbs that couples transformed into small, temporary wedding venues for a weekend. Each one has looked a little different, but they all share the same atmosphere: personal, relaxed, and deeply connected to the people hosting it.
At the same time, backyard weddings come with their own set of challenges. Unlike traditional venues, there isn’t a built-in team managing the space, and things like power, bathrooms, parking, and weather suddenly become part of the planning process.
For couples considering a backyard wedding, the questions are usually the same:
Is this actually possible?
Will it feel special enough?
How do we even start planning something like this?
This guide is designed to answer those questions.
Below you’ll find everything I’ve learned from photographing backyard weddings, from how to decide if a backyard wedding is right for you, to the logistics couples often overlook, to ideas for designing a celebration that feels deeply personal.
If you’re thinking about getting married at home, on family land, or at a rented property somewhere meaningful, this guide will help you understand what it takes to make a backyard wedding come together.
why backyard weddings are special
Every decision we make is shaped by a clear sense of purpose. Our journey has been anything but ordinary. Through every step, we've focused on staying true to our values and making space for thoughtful, lasting work.
How It Works-
Browse our upcoming events to find the one that feels right for you. We host events year-round in all different locations and climates.
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Sign up and pay all required fees to reserve your spot. If plans change, you can cancel up to 14 days before the retreat start to receive a 50% refund.
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After booking, we'll send you a Welcome Packet with everything you need to know—detailed schedules, packing list recommendations, add-ons to consider, and more.
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We'd recommend booking your transportation to and from the event as soon as possible, to ensure you can arrive without any complications or delays.
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Now all that's left to do is pack your bags and get excited for your new adventure.