This intimate fall wedding in Vancouver may inspire you to host a backyard wedding of your own. Allison and Austin chose to host their closest friends and family for a small wedding in their newly remodeled backyard. COVID has changed weddings, and so many couples have either had to postpone or scale back their original vision.
Allison and Austin chose to keep their wedding small, and they followed all the protocols for the safety and comfort of their guests. Having a smaller wedding also means that you can focus on the details and create a truly personalized wedding day with less stress.
The Benefits of an Intimate Wedding
Having an intimate backyard wedding allowed Allison and Austin to get ready in the comfort of their own home, with their furry babies by their sides! This ah-mazing couple has three cats and a new kitten. Not all venues are pet-friendly, and it would have been hard to include their cats in their wedding day otherwise.
I have four cats of my own, and I simply love them. Since Allison and Austin are cat people, too, I knew how important it would be to include the kitties in the wedding portraits. I had a blast taking cat portraits along with bride and groom portraits. The cats even helped Austin get ready for his big day! I loved seeing these two get ready with their immediate family and fur babies by their sides.
Setting Up a Backyard Wedding
Austin and Allison have the cutest house in Vancouver, and they decorated beautifully for their wedding outside. The landscaping included fresh, blooming flowers in purple and gold. A beautiful wood arch set the tone for their ceremony, with fresh flowers on the corners. A personalized wood sign showcased their names and wedding date.
October weddings can be tricky in Washington, but these two lucked out with a bright, sunny day for their intimate fall wedding. It wasn’t too cold, either. They were able to exchange vows outside, in front of the geometric arch. And we got to do a fun first look before the ceremony.
A Fun First Look
Having a first look before your ceremony gives you and your spouse-to-be a chance to get a few minutes in by yourselves! This is a great chance for you to see each other before you exchange vows, take a deep breath, and enjoy the excitement of the day together.
Allison chose to stand in the backyard and wait for Austin to come up behind her. He looked so happy to see her! And her stunning veil caught the breeze and flowed beautifully.
I knew from Austin and Allison’s engagement session how much fun these two are together and seeing them together on their wedding day was simply the best. These two are all smiles, all the time.
Backyard Wedding Flowers
Fresh flowers were important to these two, and I love how Allison’s bouquet was filled with white and purple flowers and greenery. It was tied with a long ribbon for a boho look, and even Austin couldn’t resist holding onto it for a few portraits!
Wedding Details
Having a wedding during a pandemic meant that the bride, groom, and guests all wore masks. Allison had a gorgeous white lace mask to match her dress, while Austin opted for a black one to match his tux. I simply love how these two made the most of their day and hosted a wedding that reflected their personalities and style.
Austin paired his nice tux with Nikes that featured his wedding colors, and Allison wore comfortable green ballet flats. Having a backyard wedding is ideal for couples who want to relax and enjoy the day! These two did just that. They smiled all throughout the day, from getting ready, to exchanging vows, to their first dance.
Bride & Groom Portraits
I love knowing that these two will look back at their wedding portraits and remember not only the day, but also their beautiful home together. Since their intimate fall wedding in Vancouver took place at their house, we took bride and groom portraits in their front yard. These two cozied up on their front step, where we took posed and candid portraits. They decorated for Halloween, with bright orange pumpkins and the cutest scarecrow decorations.
Family Portraits
Since Austin and Allison had their immediate family at the wedding, we made sure to set aside time for some family portraits. The family gathered together in front of the wood arch. I simply love everyone’s fall wedding outfits, and the family looked beautiful in shades of purple, green, and brown.
Intimate Wedding Ceremony
After portraits, it was time to walk down the aisle! These two shared the walk with their parents, and it was so sweet to see them walk across their backyard to the stunning floral arch. They held hands and exchanged personal vows.
I love seeing the ideas my couples come up with for unity ceremonies. While some couples mix sand together, Allison and Austin decided to combine dirt to plant a flower for their wedding day. Small trucks held dirt from the state they call home, and they combined them to commemorate the day.
Then it was time to exchange rings! These two said “I do” and started their lives together as a married couple. It was such a sweet ceremony, filled with personal details and anecdotes.
A Fun Reception
Guests didn’t have to travel far from the ceremony to the reception. Allison and Austin set up a tent and tables in the backyard, so their guests could enjoy a delicious meal and drinks together. String lights added to the atmosphere, and these two shared their first dance underneath them.
I am so grateful to Austin and Allison for sharing their wedding day with me. If you are planning an intimate fall wedding in Vancouver or Tacoma, let’s chat!
Let’s Connect for your Intimate Fall Wedding
It’s easy to reach out on my website to start a conversation. You can also email me at [email protected], or call/text me at 530-412-0730. I can’t wait to hear from you.
