backyard wedding

Intimate Backyard Wedding » Martinez, California » Erin Prado for VCP /  by Vivian Chen

// This wedding was photographed by associate photographer, Erin Prado. //

Tina and Noah exchanged vows on a picturesque November day in Martinez, California, surrounded by the tranquility of Tina’s parent's backyard. The sunny, blue skies paired with the green landscape recently brought back to life from the autumn rains provided the perfect backdrop for their intimate ceremony, creating an atmosphere filled with love and warmth. There was excitement while the couple signed their marriage license as a hummingbird was stuck in their garage, but a gentle rescue and nectar treat made sure it was okay. Close family and friends gathered in the backyard, surrounded by the verdant rolling hills, to witness their union, with Tina also five months pregnant, making the event even more special. After the heartfelt vows and exchanging of rings, the newlyweds led the way to a beautifully arranged tent outside, where a catered dinner reception awaited. Under the warm glow of string lights, guests got cozy and enjoyed a delicious feast that celebrated the couple's diverse tastes. Laughter and heartfelt toasts echoed throughout the tent, creating an unforgettable evening.

Intimate Mori Point + Childhood Home Backyard Wedding » Pacifica, California /  by Vivian Chen

Stephanie and Jordan’s love for the outdoors and for keeping it simple is what made their wedding plans fall into place. For their intimate DIY celebration, they chose to use the backyard of Stephanie’s childhood home in Pacifica. Stephanie got ready with her best friend and mom in her childhood bedroom before her father walked her down the aisle in front of their closest friends and family (and their next door neighbors!) A good friend of their’s officiated while Jordan and Stephanie exchanged vows and rings. Afterwards, we headed off to Mori Point for some cliffside portraits while taking a little time to themselves along the coast. We headed back just in time to catch some cocktails before settling in for dinner reception featuring delicious Mexican fare. As the sunset and the bonfire was lit, guests were treated to wedding cake while Stephanie and Jordan danced on the patio below. The festivities continued as the moon rose above the horizon and everyone cozied up under wool blankets and warm beverages.

Intimate Wine Country Backyard + Charter Oak Restaurant Wedding » St. Helena, California /  by Vivian Chen

Anna and Patrick met while in school at the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena and their relationship quickly blossomed over a passion for making and sharing delicious meals. While their original plans for a San Francisco City Hall wedding had to be rescheduled, their desire to throw an intimate celebration remained the same. They found a gorgeous private home in Angwin where their families and a few close friends were invited to witness their vows overlooking Napa Valley. Patrick’s sister officiated and afterwards the guests were treated to a delicious charcuterie lunch spread lovingly assembled by the couple. While Anna and Patrick shared a small toast, Anna’s aunt presented them with an engraved heirloom silver wedding goblet that had been passed down for generations. For dinner, we met up again at the Charter Oak in downtown Napa for an exquisite meal before popping over to the CIA campus for some sunset photos to wrap up the evening.

Magical + Foggy Redwood Grove of the Old Trees Backyard Wedding » Occidental, California /  by Vivian Chen

Michelle and Arthur knew they wanted to keep things simple and intimate with a touch of elegance for their family focused wedding. When Michelle’s aunt offered up her gorgeous Occidental property, Chanda from A Monique Affair was tasked to turn their backyard into a space fit for a formal but cozy celebration. Michelle got ready upstairs in the master bedroom overlooking the gorgeous coastal forest before heading to the front of the home for a joyous first look with Arthur before gathering with their daughters to prep for the ceremony. Their nuptials featured a sand ceremony where their daughters N + Z could participate as it was important that they felt included with this momentous occasion. As Arthur and Michelle shared their vows, the coastal fog quietly rolled in. This made for a magical scene afterwards as we headed to LandPaths Grove of the Old Trees down the street for some redwood grove portraits with just the two of them before dinner. A delicious vegan dinner was prepared out by the pool while family and friends shared heart warming toasts. Cake and dancing kicked off the evening celebration as the fog settled in thicker, blanketing everything in a misty cool white. I could not have asked for a more radiant and sweet couple in a more lovely setting!

As featured on Martha Stewart Weddings.

Venue: Private Home // Wedding Planning: Chanda Daniels for A Monique Affair // Videography: Shutter and Sound // Flowers: Esscents of Flowers // Officiant: Olivia King // Bride's Attire: Aqua via Bloomingdales // Bride's Shoes: Sam Edelman // Bride's Accessories: Lado a Lado (bracelet); Macy's (earrings); Na Hoku (necklace) // Groom's Attire: BLACK by Vera Wang; Calvin Klein // Groom's Shoes: Stacy Adams // Groom's Accessories: Ryan Seacrest Distinction (cuff links) // Barber: Charles Blades Barber Spa // Catering and Cake: Laurels Catering // Rentals: Encore Events Rentals // Engagement Ring & Wedding Bands: Sweet Olive Jewelry // Music: Jeremy Green (ceremony & cocktail hour); JustIntertainment (reception)

Autumn DIY Backyard + Taco Truck Wedding » Walnut Creek, California /  by Vivian Chen

Rachel and Emily wanted to keep things simple and community focused for their wedding so they chose to get married in Emily’s mom’s beautiful backyard. It’s a special place for them as it’s where they lived when Rachel first moved out to California after college. The centerpiece of the beautifully landscaped space is a magnificent oak tree where Rachel and Emily stood underneath their chuppah for their vows. Instead of a traditional wedding party, the couple surrounded themselves with their wedding VIPs, close friends and family that all played an important part in their lives together. In addition to hosting the party, Emily’s mother also handmade Emily’s custom fringe gown. These personal touches continued throughout the day from the ceremony to the toasts to the multiple flavors of cake served after their taco truck dinner. After saying goodbye to some of the older guest, Emily and Rachel headed back outside to dance the night away as the moon rose high in the evening sky.

// This is a pre-COVID wedding. I have several weddings from before the pandemic that I never got to share. While I’m a stickler for chronology, I also love these wedding photos so much and want to share them with you all.

Tiny East Bay Backyard COVID Elopement » El Cerrito, California /  by Vivian Chen

Matthew and Rob were planning to get married in April but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Bay Area, they knew they didn’t want to wait to get married. The party itself could wait, but their love couldn’t. So they reached out to their friends who have a gorgeous backyard in the El Cerrito hills to have their tiny ceremony on a warm spring evening. It also happened that their friend who owns the home is also a minister so he officiated the whole thing and helped Matthew and Rob make it legal. Just as the ceremony began, a family of deer appeared behind the couple to watch before trotting back into the trees. Shakespeare poems were read while the couple’s friend’s next door neighbors who happened to be sitting on their porch enjoying the sunset, watched on with love and excitement for Matthew and Rob. It was a sweet DIY celebration: the flowers were sourced from another friend’s yard and the couple brought their own champagne to toast in celebration when all was said and done. It was quick little ceremony but the intention and heart behind it runs deep and helped buoy me during these turbulent times. I adore these two and their determination and love.

East Bay Childhood Backyard COVID Wedding » Oakland, California /  by Vivian Chen

When Stephanie and Jack’s plans for a 200 person wedding at the end of May was postponed due to COVID-19, they decided that they still wanted to get married on their original date. Stephanie always dreamed of getting married in her parent’s backyard and with the guest list whittled down to immediate family and tiny handful of friends, it just made sense to go for it. I arrived on a warm sunny day, face mask on, knowing that I’d be relying on my favorite 85mm prime lens to maintain a safe distance. Jack greeted me andI set him up for his first look with Stephanie under a grand eucalyptus tree. Stephanie’s mom had taken extra lace from her dress to make a custom matching face mask so we made sure to snap a few portraits. Jack’s nieces and nephews were also all dressed up for the occasion as they served as ring bearers and flower girls. Once the rest of the handful of non-family guests arrived, the ceremony began. Everyone sat in their own seats, placed six feet apart as a tripod and laptop served to livestream the celebration to over 100 guests around the world who couldn’t make it. Jack’s sister officiated while Stephanie and Jack exchanged heartfelt vows. Afterwards, there was a bit of mingling and a quick champagne toast by the couple’s parents (everyone was given their individual cups and mini bottle) before Stephanie and Jack headed out for some portraits around the neighborhood. I am so grateful to have been able to photograph their backyard wedding, despite it not being their original plan. With all the global uncertainty and tragedy, it felt good to celebrate something so full of love, happiness and compassion.

DIY Childhood Home Backyard Wedding » Petaluma, California /  by Vivian Chen

Anela and David met while working as park rangers at Point Reyes National Seashore. Their relationship grew from running buddies to friends to partners who have travelled the world on amazing adventures. They’ve hike Patagonia and spent two years working in one of the most remote national parks in Alaska, Katmai. In fact, David proposed to Anela while on a hike to pick wild blueberries in Alaska. For their wedding, they decided to keep it more local and threw a garden party in the backyard of David’s childhood home in Petaluma. Being surrounded by the rolling hills and gorgeous oak groves, it was clear why David’s upbringing brought him to seek a job that kept him in the beautiful great outdoors. On the day of the wedding, the sky was a grey haze due to California wildfires. Despite the unusual conditions, everyone was in great spirits and the haze added a surreal warm glow to the landscape. Anela got ready in the guest room before having a first look with her father and brother before seeing David in the front yard. For the ceremony, everyone headed down to the large field below the home overlooking Petaluma. David’s father officiated, sharing funny stories about the two of them and gifting them some fishing lures (Anela and David are avid fisherman!) Afterwards, everyone was invited for a delicious catered meal around the pool which included a whole roast pork and salmon Anela and David caught in Alaska. After dessert of cake and donuts, the dance party began and everyone danced on into the evening. I am so grateful to have been a part of their wedding day!

Venue: Private Residence // Wedding Planner: Parker Nichols Events // Florist: April’s Flowers // Caterer: Ring of Fire // Cake: DIY by a family friend // Rentals: Encore Event Rentals // Hair & Make-Up: Shayna Azevedo // Anela’s Wedding Dress: Starlet Bridal // DJ: Premier Productions // Wedding Rings: Brilliant Earth

Laotian-Jewish Backyard Wedding » Woodside, California /  by Vivian Chen

April and Jed were married in the backyard of their friend's gorgeous Woodside home. They hosted 80 of their closest friends and family for a combined Laotian/Jewish ceremony that honored traditions from both families. The day was filled with all the things they love - from the sailing themed invitations, pork bun passed apps, and sticky rice and BBQ'd chicken family style dinner. Even April's dog, Peter Pan got dressed in a tuxedo for the occasion! The evening rains didn't stop the celebration as everyone danced the night away under the tent by the pool.