If there is one venue that I love and that is different every time it is beauty that is a backyard wedding. There is more flexibility when it comes to rules, it is cost-effective, more intimate, comfortable, full creative control, easier clean up, the list really goes on.

My husband and I were very close to getting married in my parent’s backyard in San Diego but ultimately chose the Oregon coast to elope for several reasons. The main thing for me as a bride that attracted me to a backyard wedding was the familiarity of the “venue”. Being able to get ready in the bedroom I spent years in, having breakfast the morning of my wedding cooked by my mom in her kitchen, marrying my best friend on the property where we have spent many holidays together and will eventually bring our children to celebrate holidays down the road. Plus the money our families and we would save by getting married in my parent’s backyard would’ve been HUGE.

The first backyard wedding I want to talk about is Reese and Jason’s wedding at Reese’s grandparent’s home in the mountains of Flagstaff, Arizona.

I met Reese through a mutual friend and Reese and Jason asked me to travel to Flagstaff to shoot their wedding on Reese’s grandparents property. Of course I said yes. I drove out to Arizona on a Friday morning and arrived at one of the many cabins the couple rented out for their friends and family that evening before their wedding. After the rehearsal and dinner I slept and woke up to a gorgeous early Fall morning in the mountains of Northern Arizona. I hopped in my jeep and drove to Reese’s cabin and captured her morning with her sisters and best friends getting ready for her and Jason’s big day.

Reese’s mom helping her get into her two piece wedding dress

Reese doing a first look with her sisters

After she finished getting ready, she sent her girls off and her and Jason had a first look and private vow exchange before their ceremony began.

Reese & Jason exchanging private vows after their first look

Their ceremony space was on Reese’s grandparents quaint property, the aisle was different types of rugs of colors and patterns, the flowers were kept simple and delicate.

After the ceremony the remaining of the afternoon and evening was free to do whatever anyone wanted. I, of course, snuck off with Reese and Jason to get some much desired romantic photos of just them two in the stunning meadow next to the property.

With so many spots to explore around the property it was easy to lose time and enjoy the ambiance of the space in the mountains. When people wanted to dance, they danced, when people wanted to eat, they ate, when people wanted to drink, they drank. Guests got lost in the music and laughter and danced the night away, long after I ended my day and returned to the cabin to sleep before heading back home to my husband and doggie in San Diego the next morning.