Teaser Tuesday

Lizzy and Dan were married on Saturday and after Lizzy and her bridesmaids got their hair done at Follicles, they headed to Lizzy and Dan's home to get their makeup done by Cheekadee. The guys got ready at Chestnut Hill Hotel before heading to Our Mother of Consolation Church for their ceremony. After the ceremony, the couple and their bridal party headed out for photos in town before heading over to the Philadelphia Cricket Club to enjoy cocktail hour and the reception. Though the rain stopped their guests from enjoying all the lawn games they had planned, guests were still able to enjoy the outdoor patio area and the popular slider bar! Robertson's Flowers provided the bouquets, boutonnieres, and ivy wreaths that went on the tables on which we placed silver lanterns provided by the bride and groom. Synergetic Sound and Lighting took the room to a whole new level with uplighting, a dance floor wash, and a ceiling wash in a leaf pattern to match the garden themed wedding. Dinner was served buffet style and was filled with fall favorites like butternut squash ravioli. Bredenbeck's created a great ice cream cake and cupcakes in five different flavors. They danced the night away to Sunday James Band and on their way out, they were able to grab heart shaped soft pretzels by Taste of Philly. Thank you to Danette Pascarella for these teaser images, we can't wait to see the rest! -Caitlin

Kat and Corty weren't about to let a little rain damper the amazing plans for their big day! Kat started the day with her bridesmaids at the Four Seasons with hair done by Sarah from Amanda D'Andrea Hair and makeup by Cheryl from Cheekadee. They then headed off to St. John the Evangelist to get married! Kat walked down the aisle in a stunning gown accented by an understated belt to her groom who was in a navy suit and a pink bow tie! They were married by Father Kerns, who is a family friend of Kat's parents making for a special and personal ceremony. After being pronounced husband and wife, they headed out of the church and jumped on the shuttle to head to Corty's family's farm in Perkiomenville, PA. They were troopers and headed out for pictures on the land with Lauren and Matt from The More We See and right as cocktail hour begun, the sun came out in full force bringing huge smiles to the couple's faces! The tent, that was provided by EventQuip looked like a dream after An Enchanted Florist at Skippack Village came by to top the tables with vintage bottles filled with wild blooms. Divine Dining created a delicious cocktail hour and dinner menu and guests were raving about the food all night! Contagious got all of the guest on their feet and onto the dance floor and they danced the night away. After the reception was over, guests headed over to the bonfire afterparty! It was a fantastic day from start to finish and we couldn't be happier for the couple! -Lisa

Sarah and Marc had a beautiful, personal wedding at the Yellow House of Willowdale. The weather kept us on our toes, but didn't stop us. The girls started the day early with hair and makeup by Gloss Salon. After a leisurely morning of getting ready in their personalized robes, the girls got into their navy dresses of their own choosing and Sarah stepped into a beautiful lace gown. She traded her ivory wedges for navy rainboots and she and Marc shared their first look in the barn- complete with umbrellas- which was captured beautifully by Artful I Photography. Their ceremony was performed by Marc's uncle- it was sweet, personal, and intimate. Sarah's dad made the arch that the couple was married under and it was beautifully decorated by Sarah's aunts with hanging mason jars. Guests enjoyed the music from Blue Label and packed the dance floor all night long. The delicious menu was created by Michael and his staff at Triple Fresh and guests were treated to a midnight snack from Marc's family's food truck. It was a wonderful day filled with a ton of love and laughter. Sarah and Marc, we wish you all of the best and are so thankful we were able to witness your special day. -Becky

Planning a Backyard Wedding

Marcy and Dermot's Wedding
Photo courtesy of mkPhoto

It's easy to understand why so many couples are drawn to the idea of having a backyard wedding. They can be incredibly charming and personal. But having a wedding at home is not the same thing as throwing together a barbeque with a few friends. There are several things you'll need to consider.

Don't be fooled into thinking a backyard wedding is cheap. While you'll definitely have the freedom to pick and choose your vendors and find prices that work for you, there are a lot of costs associated with a backyard wedding that you wouldn't necessarily have to deal with at other venues. Banquet Halls and country clubs typically have built in pricing for a number of features and services; your home doesn't. You'll need to rent everything from tents and tables to glassware and china. Don't forget the essentials like generators for power or portable bathrooms for guests. If your property needs some TLC you could find yourself shelling out for small renovations to key areas or landscaping to make your yard look its best. All of these costs can add up, so be sure to do your research and know what you're getting yourself into. 

Marcy and Dermot's Wedding
Photo courtesy of mkPhoto

Size is key. Is your backyard large enough to accommodate all of the family and friends you're hoping to celebrate with? It's one thing to have a cozy, intimate feel. It's another to be overcrowded. Do you have the space to create separate areas for your ceremony and reception? You'll need room for tables, chairs, bars, and an area for dancing. And don't forget about the staff. From the entertainment to the chefs and servers- they'll all need room to do their jobs. 

Then there are the matters of access and parking. Does your yard have its own entrance or will guests need to traipse through your house to get there? Where will they park? If you don't have enough room, consider getting permission from a local school, church, or business to use their parking facilities and have your guests shuttled from there.

You'll also need to take Mother Nature into account. Backyard weddings are exposed to elements from winds and rain to heat and cold and even mosquitoes or other pests. Outdoor events are not for everyone, so be sure you're willing to deal with these issues. You can't predict the weather, but you can certainly prepare for it in order to ensure everyone is comfortable regardless of the conditions.

Sarah and Mike's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Pravada Photography

A tent is a must, especially in the event of rain. Putting one up can be a big undertaking, so meet with a professional tent company early on to begin planning. They can come for a site visit to take measurements, make recommendations, and troubleshoot any issues that might need to be addressed. They'll be able to guide you through all of your tent, siding, and flooring options. Tents come in a variety of styles and sizes to accommodate your personal taste as well as your space. Sides can help block out less-than-desirable conditions like chilly winds or heavy rain. Flooring is a great way to make the ground more level and keep your guests from having to dance in the dirt and mud. Depending on the season and your budget, you may want to consider fans, air conditioning, or heaters. Your tent vendor can also help you design a floor plan and provide you with a timeline for installation and breakdown so you'll know how long it will take from start to finish. 

There are several other vendors you'll want to involve in the process. Obviously a wedding coordinator or planner is a great resource during the months leading up to the big day. He or she can help you navigate the world of backyard weddings and recommend plenty of great vendors with experience working outdoors. Your caterer should also see the property to determine what equipment and space is needed to create and serve the perfect meal for you and your guests. Lighting is essential not only to set the right mood under your tent, but to keep the walkways and prep areas well lit for guests and staff to get around safely. Sound is key for people to hear everything from your I Do's to the last song. All of these vendors will require power so make sure you're aware of how much they need and what it will take to provide it. 

Sarah and Mike's Wedding
Photo courtesy of Pravada Photography

Finally, follow all of the rules and file any necessary paperwork. Permits may be required for tents or parking and the site might need to be inspected by the fire department or other officials. Be mindful of any noise ordinances and give your neighbors fair warning to avoid complaints or visits from the police in the middle of the celebration. Don't forget to adhere to regulations regarding trash and arrange for any special pickups required after the event. Ask for copies of insurance documents from your vendors and find out exactly what your home owner's policy covers, because with so many people moving in and around your home at once, there's a good potential for damage. 

While all of these considerations probably seem a little overwhelming, don't be discouraged. With the proper planning and support, backyard weddings can be amazing. In the end, all of the effort will be worth it!

-Laura