It seems like backyard weddings are totally the trend in 2020, and I am more than here for it. And, when your parents live on an 8-acre property in Michigan, why would you not host your wedding there? Hello, you save a crap ton on venue fees! Kayla and Zach hosted the most energy-filled big backyard wedding in the Michigan countryside.
The Day Before the Wedding
The day before Kayla and Zach’s wedding day, I received a text from Kayla that was panicked (to say the least). Their tent had collapsed in the middle of the night from a passing storm. Now, if you’ve ever seen a wedding tent be put into place, you know it is far from easy. Tents are heavy and awkward and just super hard to set up. But, friends, neighbors, and random friends-of-friends on Facebook came to the rescue. The tent was up by afternoon.
Getting Ready for the Wedding
Kayla and her bridesmaids all dressed, applied makeup, and did their hair in the living room of Kayla’s childhood home — one last memory there before becoming a married woman. I photographed her dress, veil, and family Bible in the front room with the ceremony space in view through the paneled windows. Kayla’s mom helped her put her dress on, her sisters helped her accessorize with jewelry pieces, and her soon-to-be mother in law gently settled her veil onto her head.
Zach and his groomsmen all got ready at a hotel closer to the city. So, when he arrived, we went straight into their first look. You could feel the excitement in the air when they finally saw each other.
The Ceremony
Kayla and Zach were married by Kayla’s father under the big tree in their front yard. Her dad told stories about Kayla as a little girl playing in the field behind them, and he told the story about the first time Zach came over to spend time with Kayla. That story included Zach losing his car keys in the field — the same field we took couple portraits in later that day!
The Big Backyard Reception
After the ceremony, it was party time. Cocktail hour was bumping, filled with loaded charcuterie boards and a nearly mile-long bar (that’s an exaggeration, the bartenders were actually very efficient). After some time at cocktail hour, the reception space was revealed to the guests. It was decorated with lots of greenery and beautiful gold candelabras.
After dinner and a few heartfelt toasts from their siblings, Kayla and Zach wasted no time getting the dancing started. For hours, everyone bopped their hearts out. The tent glowed underneath the Michigan countryside sky, and fireflies danced outside above the grass.
Later that evening, while guests prepared for the sparkler grand exit, Kayla and Zach shared one last dance in their wedding tent before hopping in their getaway car to hear off to their island honeymoon.
Getting married in Michigan (or somewhere else)? I’ve got some vendor recommendations for you.
DJ: Forella Events
Videographer: Mackenzie Hilton (she’s based in CA, too!)
Bartenders: Three Cheers Bartending
Are you a fan of this big backyard Michigan countryside wedding?
Well, I am, too. I also have a few other galleries that I think you should check out.
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