FORAGED TONAL

Photographed by Steph Masat

Our inspiration was taken during the winter when there is a tonal shift in color and everything in nature turns to different hues of amber, brown, gold, cream and white. Using the studio's fresh white space as our backdrop, we created a beautiful intimate wedding space using rich luxe linens, gold accents, dried florals and natural textures. Our dried florals were foraged in local St. Louis fields! Which just adds the coolest element.

DETAILS Design, Planning & Concept: Hillary J Events Venue: Fresh And Co. Studio Bouquet & Rentals: Rouge Events & Design Stationery: Seven Cranes Calligraphy Hair & Makeup Styling: Maddie Heese of Elizabeth Wolf Bridal Gown: Legends Romana Keveza, Town & Country Bridal Boutique Watercolor Artist: Florelle Studio Cake: Made by Lia Rentals (Chairs): Millennium Productions Charcuterie Boards: Lorraine STL Linens: BBJ Linen Custom Chair Lettering: Sincerely Laura V

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

A backyard wedding can be bliss and worth what-ifs

By Jennifer C. Frakes | Photos by Kelly Park Photography

If there’s anything the Coronavirus pandemic has taught us, it may be the unpredictability of our world and the comforts of home. Our homes have served as our place of safety and refuge during this unprecedented time. And before Corona, home was where we created memories with those we love the most. Hosting your wedding in your backyard will add one of the biggest days of your life to your memories from home, sweet home.

A backyard wedding is personal, sentimental, intimate, and completely unique to you and your wedding story. No wonder so many families want to host the day that begins a couples’ new life together. Though “just having it at home” may not be nearly as easy as it sounds, with the proper planning and preparation, you can have an unforgettable day for you and your guests, right in your own backyard.

PLANS A, B, AND MAYBE C

Beck Hebling and her husband Charlie love the outdoors and spend lots of time hiking, running and camping. They knew they wanted to spend their honeymoon canoeing in Minnesota. And when planning their wedding, their rst priority was that it take place outdoors. It was so important to them that it was worth the risk of less-than-ideal weather.

But that doesn’t mean that they didn’t do their research and have a back-up plan. “I originally thought about getting married in May, but after looking up the historical data in the Farmer’s Almanac, I saw there was a pretty high chance of rain in St. Louis in May,” Hebling said. There was less of a risk of a rainy wedding day in October and there would be the advantage of being surrounded by fall’s changing leaves. But to be safe, they had an extra sided tent reserved until shortly before the big day.

Mackenzie and Matthew's September 21, 2019 wedding took place in the backyard of a private residence. "I loved the intimate and meaningful feel of our 'backyard wedding.' Th e memories my family and I shared there are unforgettable and being able to have our wedding there made it special."

The Heblings were married in early October with the marriage ceremony in the front yard of Hebling’s parents’ home and the reception in the backyard. Her parents were proud to host the day and their home provided the perfect surroundings for a couple that loves the outdoors. “A backyard wedding is not for the faint-hearted— you have to be willing to take a bit of a gamble,” a seasoned wedding planner said. “But it’s a unique opportunity to create an exceptional, personal event. You are sharing your special day and your family home with your guests.”

Regarding the weather, here’s some other advice that also applies to our world’s recent challenges—wedding planners advise to plan for the worst and hope for the best. “Have a Plan B in place that you are prepared to implement. That way, if you are faced with extreme weather conditions, your wedding day won’t turn into chaos,” said a wedding planner.

And its’s often a good idea to have other safety measures in place in addition to the back-up tent with sides. Have additional equipment on hand that can make the weather more manageable, such as fans or heaters. Don’t underestimate the wind factor, and be sure everything is adequately anchored down, especially the oral arrangements.

Emilee Wolfe was married in July in her parent’s backyard and was prepared for the possible high heat and humidity of a St. Louis summer. “As guests arrived, they were given bottled water and the programs were printed on fans,” said Wolfe. There was also an air-conditioned tent for the reception.

Tents are not just a good idea in case of rain, but are an effective protector from the sun as well. “It’s usually about ten degrees cooler under a tent, which can make a big difference at a summer wedding,” an event coordinator said. “Tents act as a structure for ceiling fans and to shield eyes from the sun. Tents also light and de ne an area. For most homes, lighted trees and landscaping are not enough.”

A tent can make an outdoor event just as elegant as an indoor one. How? “With ceiling liners, such as organza fabric, draped from the inside the top of the tent, subtle lighting, chandeliers, ooring, specialty linens, chair covers and more,” said a Grand Rental Station staffer. “You don’t have to sacri ce luxury when you go outdoors.”

You can rent a tent for an event as small as 25 to 50 people to big enough for 1,000 guests. For any seated event, about ten square feet per person is a good number to remember. And though all the extras available may not be in your budget, adding ooring to the tent can help take the wet weather variable our of the equation, said a manager at Traube Tent Company. “It’s nice if you don’t have to worry about the chairs or your guests’ shoes sinking into the ground. Even if it doesn’t rain on the day of the wedding, the ground can still be moist from recent rainfall.”