Elevating an Intimate, Backyard Wedding

How to Elevate an Intimate, Backyard Wedding

Photography: Jemima Richards

Danielle and Jason wanted an intimate, backyard wedding with the theme, "simple, but elevated." 

We focused on a bright, vibrant color palette with a sophisticated, clean look to take this wedding to the next level. 

​Here's how we did it. 

Elevating the Chuppah - Focus on CONTRAST

Photography: Jemima Richards

If you want a memorable backdrop for your ceremony, you emphasize contrast.

• Contrast bright colors with soft pastel colors. We showcased these insanely beautiful coral charm peonies with pops of peach, yellow, and lavender flowers. This makes the colors pop out more to achieve the vibrant look.
• Contrast size. Again, the peonies are a big headed flowers so we complimented them with smaller headed flowers, which offers more interest to the eye.
  
• Contrast texture. Fluffy petals (i.e., peonies and carnations) against smooth round petals (yellow ranunculus, lavender lisianthus) is a simple way to make an arrangement more sophisticated. 
  
• Contrast greenery. Solomon's seal has a traditional shaped leaf that is green throughout. We paired this with Euonymus, which is a common plant you may see in residential/retail landscaping, that has yellow and green leaves. This is was a great way to tie on the yellow flowers for a complete look. 
  

Elevating the Reception - Focus on DETAILS

Photography: Jemima Richards

Photography: Jemima Richards

Would you believe me if you looked at the two photos above and I said that was in someone's backyard? 

It's true! 

Even though everything was in the backyard, it certainly didn't feel like it once the tent, goblet style vases, lighting, candles, loose greenery and centerpieces filled the long tables. It may seem obvious, but all the little tiny details matter if you want to elevate your space and make a statement. 

Photography: Jemima Richards

This is where you Event Coordinator really comes into play and Jodi Raphael Events did not disappoint! A hired planner has the expertise to know how to set up a space properly so everything could fit even if it's in a tiny space like a backyard! More than that, they know what type of silverware, linens, cups/goblets to pick for the most romantic tablescape. 

Photography: Jemima Richards

Photography: Jemima Richards

For the centerpieces, we used the same contrasting principles from the chuppah in these garden style arrangements. The end result? Vibrant colors in a lush, garden style arrangement to to give the space a pop while tying everything together. ​

Elevating the Bouquet - Focus on SIMPLICITY

Photography: Jemima Richards

Photography: Jemima Richards

I've been noticing that smaller bouquets are becoming more of a thing and believe it or not, they're actually a lot harder to make! 

Danielle did not want a giant bouquet but one that followed the theme of, "simple, but elevated." 

Small does not mean cheap or plain! We focused on ​simplicity. This means, going back to foundational flower principles: color, shape, size.

 You don't have to be a florist to be able to spot a bouquet that has all 3 foundations:

• Do the colors blend and work together to achieve your overall feel?
• Are there flowers with a round shape, star shape, linear shape so that there's more visual interest and movement?
• Is there variation in size with large, medium, small flowers so that the bouquet is balanced? 

These are simple foundations but without them, you could get a very different style of bouquet that may not be what you want. 

Talk to your florist so that both of you have a very clear understanding on the overall vision, size, and feel. This is so important! 

Photography: Jemima Richards

Photography: Jemima Richards

Biggest perk with having a backyard wedding: 
Dancing on the street with your new spouse outside your childhood home after your wedding.
That sounds lovely to me. 

Photography: Jemima Richards

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Vendors:

Florist: Grace Flora Studio
Coordinator: Jodi Raphael Events 
Photographer: Jemima Richards
Catering: Max Ultimate Food
Beauty: Beauty Boston Artistry
Rentals: Peak Event Services
Bridal Gown: Vows
Grooms Suit: Indocinno
Brass trio: Occasional Brass and Strings