Based in Indianapolis, IN, and beyond.
Chaser of golden light, lover of bohemian treasures, and overflowing love for lovers.

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Intimate Backyard Wedding

July 15, 2024

Caroline Beatty

Weddings

Summertime intimate backyard wedding in Zionsville, IN

Today I’m sharing with you this stunning, detail oriented and intimate backyard wedding that took place over the summer.. This is Adam & Bailey, and they used his parent’s backyard as their romantic setting for their big day. It truly added the most personal touch and feel to the whole event.

This wedding truly had a unique, laid-back vibe that had me rethinking backyard weddings altogether. The shade of the trees, the birds singing, and the sweet doggo barking made it all worthwhile to me and was the soundtrack of my work day.

I think it is important to remember just how intimate backyard weddings can be, and share that with you!

Zionsville, IN Intimate Backyard Wedding

What makes a backyard wedding intimate?

Backyard weddings offer a unique and intimate setting that can make the celebration even more special and memorable. Here are some reasons why backyard weddings are great:

1. Personal and Intimate Atmosphere

Backyard weddings provide a cozy and familiar environment, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. The couple and guests often feel more relaxed and comfortable, leading to a more enjoyable and personal experience.

2. Cost-Effective

One of the biggest advantages of a backyard wedding is the potential for significant cost savings. Couples can save on venue rental fees, and there’s often more flexibility in choosing vendors, decorations, and other essentials. This can free up budget for other areas, such as a honeymoon or a future home.

3. Personalization and Creativity

Having a wedding in a backyard allows for limitless creativity and personalization. Couples can tailor every detail to reflect their personalities and preferences, from the decorations and seating arrangements to the ceremony setup and reception activities. This can result in a wedding that feels truly unique and representative of the couple’s style.

4. Sentimental Value

Getting married at home or in the backyard of a loved one adds a layer of sentimental value to the occasion. The couple can create memories in a place that already holds significance, making the day even more meaningful. This can also create a lasting emotional connection to the location.

5. Convenience and Comfort

For many couples, the convenience of hosting a wedding at home cannot be overstated. There’s no need to travel to and from a venue, and it’s easier to manage logistics like setting up, cleaning up, and organizing the event. Guests also appreciate the ease of parking and the familiar setting.

6. Flexibility with Timing

Backyard weddings offer greater flexibility with timing. Couples can choose to have their ceremony and reception at any time of day without worrying about venue restrictions. This flexibility can extend to the duration of the celebration, allowing for a more relaxed and unhurried event.

7. Closer Connection to Nature

A backyard wedding often means being surrounded by natural beauty. Whether it’s a garden, a grove of trees, or a scenic view, the natural setting can enhance the overall ambiance. This can make for stunning photography and a serene atmosphere that adds to the charm of the event.

8. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly

Backyard weddings can be more sustainable and eco-friendly. By reducing the need for extensive travel, transportation of goods, and large-scale venue operations, couples can lower their carbon footprint. Additionally, there’s more opportunity to incorporate eco-friendly practices, such as using locally sourced food and sustainable decor.

9. Family Involvement

Having a wedding at home can foster greater involvement from family members. They can contribute to the preparations, decorations, and even the ceremony itself, making it a collaborative and heartfelt event. This involvement can strengthen family bonds and create shared memories.

10. Casual and Laid-Back Vibe

Backyard weddings often have a more casual and laid-back vibe compared to traditional venues. This can lead to a more enjoyable and stress-free experience for both the couple and their guests. The relaxed atmosphere encourages mingling, laughter, and genuine connections.

Backyard weddings offer a unique blend of intimacy, personalization, and convenience that can make the celebration feel truly special. By embracing the natural beauty and sentimental value of a familiar setting, couples can create a wedding day that is both memorable and deeply meaningful.

About this backyard wedding in Zionsville, IN

Bailey wanted the main focus to be on the floral work at her backyard wedding, as her mom’s friend was the florist and did it all. She got all vintage pieces for the tables, glassware, plates, votives, and vases. It was so colorful everywhere with all the greenery and florals. Bailey got ready in the mother in law’s suite which was the most beautiful room ever. Her mom and her mother in law both helped her get ready as well as both her sister in laws.

Her mom’s friend made her veil which was just incredible with flower petals all over it.

They wanted their backyard wedding day to be a special time with friends and family, so they attended cocktail hour together. We did a first look and all the couples photos beforehand, but we ran behind schedule so we took a few shots between cocktail hour breaks inside of the groom’s parent’s house. We also managed to snag a few photos with their pup!

Adam and Bailey are not that into photos, so I didn’t want to be the main attraction. The couple lives in Colorado, but they grew up here. Both mothers were friends and introduced them, and mutual friends had them hangout while they were both in Colorado. That’s how the magic happened!. They brought their dog Rosie for the wedding and included her as much as possible in the big day from the first look with her and the couple to waiting with them before they walked down the aisle. They only invited family to the ceremony and part of the cocktail hour, when eventually buses brought over all the friends and others that they invited. Everyone enjoyed the rest of the cocktail hour and mingled where they had a live band in the family’s barn for the reception part of the evening.