Desperate times call for desperate – but ultra-meaningful – measures. This couple didn’t let a pandemic keep them from celebrating during an intimate event with friends and family. Plus, it’s filled with small backyard wedding ceremony ideas for your own micro-event. Such a lovely day!
Small Backyard Wedding Ceremony Ideas
This small backyard wedding reception and ceremony was such a joyous celebration of a couple that has been together for almost a decade. Despite Coronavirus, this duo – like many others – wanted to proceed with their big day.
Brittany said, “Reggie and I feel extremely lucky to have had the chance to say our vows in front of our immediate family. Even though trying to plan around COVID-19 was stressful, we still had the perfect day and will never forget it.”
Even if things have to look a bit different from your original plans, you can have a lovely day. Here are Brittany’s thoughts on getting married during a pandemic.
Their outdoor wedding ceremony decor included fresh flowers to adorn trees.
What plans did you have to change?
We had originally planned to have 100 guests at our wedding, with a large field party to be held afterward. Our guest list was narrowed down to immediate family members, so we ended up with 18 guests instead.
We had a small, simple dinner afterward instead of a large party. Our wedding was also live-streamed in a Facebook group so that our friends and family could still watch.
Why did you decide to still go ahead with your big day?
Reggie and I have been together for almost nine years. We both decided that our ultimate goal was to be married to each other, and we would find a way for that to happen – whether we had 100 guests or just 2 witnesses.
A little critter decided to attend this small backyard wedding reception.
How did your vendors react to the changes?
We are planning a vow renewal ceremony for next year so that our bridesmaids and groomsmen can be involved, as well as letting our family and friends celebrate with us in person.
“Our ultimate goal was to be married to each other, and we would find a way for that to happen – whether we had 100 guests or just 2 witnesses.”
All the vendors that we had booked (photography, table rentals, flowers, caterer) agreed to push our rental back a year. So, we have already paid for everything for next year.
With the flowers, we still used my bouquet, the aisle meadow boxes, and a few other items. We will pay for those again next year when we do our renewal.
Incorporating small wedding ideas is easy when you’re marrying your best friend!
What precautions did you take with your wedding?
My maid of honor and I made masks for everyone to wear. They went with our flowers and color choices.
We also had assigned seating at the wedding and dinner afterward so that families were sitting together with people they were already quarantined with.
Small plates of ziti, salad, and bread we on each table, so all of our guests weren’t sharing the same utensils.
As DIY wedding ideas, they made masks for everyone at their backyard wedding reception.
What were the perks of a small, backyard wedding reception?
Having to limit our guest list really put things into perspective for us. It made us realize who is most important in our lives and who we really wanted to be with us when we got married.
It also allowed us (especially me) to have a less stressful day and to really focus on making memories instead of focusing on what’s going wrong/right.
What are you doing about a honeymoon?
Thankfully, we were able to go on our original honeymoon. We spent a week in a cabin at Montebello Camping and Fishing Resort in Montebello VA. It was a week away from everyone, all responsibilities, and even cell service!
Sentimental Event with Backyard Wedding Ideas
Save this outdoor wedding ceremony decor palette!
Small Backyard Wedding Ceremony Ideas Vendors:
- Photography – C York Photography
- Flowers – Caswell Flower Company
- Donuts – Hall’s Pastry Shop
- DIY Wedding Ideas Masks – Bride and MOH
Love these outdoor wedding ceremony decor ideas? See more intimate micro-weddings here!