Having a Small Wedding at Home Doesn’t Mean Missing out on Magical Wedding Photos

When COVID hit, Gianna and Eric had to completely pivot their plans for a 150 guest celebration to a small wedding at home with eleven family members. Their stunning backyard wedding ceremony and reception prove that you don’t have to give up on magical photos even when adjusting your plans! They adjusted their airy and romantic dusty blue wedding to fit in Eric’s parents’ yard and shared the most incredible day with a small gathering. Their priorities for their micro wedding included stunning photos by Alison Brynn Photography to capture every memory, and gorgeous flowers by Hall Occasions to turn the backyard into their dream wedding!

How gorgeous is this wedding at home?

Gianna and Eric first met at a bar in West Hollywood. It was impossible for Eric not to notice the beautiful woman across the room, and he summoned up his courage to tell her he thought she was cute. Their proposal also took place in LA, at Skyspace. Before the pandemic hit, the giant slide on top of a skyscraper offered amazing views of downtown, but Gianna found the best sight waiting for her at the bottom of the slide – Eric on one knee!

From the beginning of their planning process, Gianna and Eric knew they wanted their wedding to feel light and airy, with white flowers and pops of dusty blue. Gianna’s bouquet was of white roses and peonies, sage green eucalyptus and dusty millers, and blue thistle. Their planner and florist, Hall Occasions, added periwinkle blue silk ribbons to the hand tied stems to add a fluttering detail that perfectly fit their soft and romance aesthetic.

The bride spotted her dream wedding dress on Instagram! The Watters WToo gown featured ethereal off the shoulder sleeves and a romantic flowing skirt – perfect for her dreamy look! The bridesmaids wore dusty blue dresses from Azazie – they wore the same color but individual styles to keep the bridal party looking cohesive with only two attendants.

The couple shared their First Look – one of their favorite moments of the day! – with their dog! One of the biggest benefits of a small wedding at home? Getting to incorporate fuzzy loved ones without worrying about them at a traditional venue.

When it became clear that Gianna and Eric would have to re-plan their entire wedding day, they decided that a small wedding at home would be perfect. Eric’s parents’ Orange County home was the best choice – their beautiful backyard was where his parents had tied the knot over 34 years before!

With just eleven guests – including their bridal party – the couple set the scene for their micro wedding ceremony in the backyard. They set up one row of wood and linen chairs on each side of the simple aisle, with a stunning hexagon ceremony arch opening onto a row of cypress trees.

Their beautiful blue and silver acrylic welcome sign designed by Calligraphy by Michelle T was not only a beautiful detail at their backyard micro reception, but doubles as wedding decoration ideas to use at home!

How stunning is design for a wedding reception at home? The cozy draped arbor over their long pedestal farm table was both an intimate celebration and managed to capture the magical wedding moments of the day they had been dreaming of.

The wedding reception at home had a French Country feel, with ethereal white canopies over the Provence dining table, and crystal chandeliers hung with greenery. The couple celebrated with Eric’s family as the bride’s family were unable to travel due to the pandemic.

The wedding reception decor was filled with romantic dusty blue details, from the linen napkins on each glass bead charger to the taper candles. Centerpieces of ruffled with flowers like anemones, peonies, and garden roses added a sweet country charm to the long dining table.

The bride and groom chose a cake from their favorite local bakery! Butter Cream Bakery‘s specialty is a lemon flavor blue velvet cake, which their florist accented with fresh flowers on the white buttercream.

Despite the dramatic downsizing, the couple felt that their wedding day was still as magical as it could have been, and they cherish the photos and memories of their small wedding at home!

WEDDING VENDORS –

Photography: Alison Brynn Photography | Wedding Venue: Private Residence | Event Planning and Floral Design: Hall Occasions | Wedding Cake: Butter Cream Bakery | Wedding Dress: Watters WToo | Bride’s Shoes: Converse | Groom’s Attire: Friar Tux | Wedding Ring: Michael Alan jewelers | Bridesmaid Dresses: Azazie | Hair Styling: Nadia Rose Bridal Hair | Makeup Artist: MUA Candice Renae | Event Rentals: Signature Party Rentals | Event Rentals: Baker Party Rentals | Signage: Calligraphy by Michelle T | Officiant: Ryan Smithson | Film Lab: Goodman Film Lab | Submitted via: Matchology