Modern Backyard Wedding Photos

February 17, 2023

Sarah and Rob’s backyard wedding is proof that you can turn something traditional into a modern, authentic experience. Their celebration at a family lake house on Maryland’s Eastern Shore prioritized what mattered most to them. Their digital and film wedding photos reflect the editorial inspiration and welcoming atmosphere that could be felt through their whole day

Red-leafed trees sit on the shore of a lake in the morning.

Backyard Wedding Inspiration

Backyard weddings can be as traditional or mold-breaking as you want them to be. There are endless possibilities for making yours your own. There are some things you can do to make your celebration a great experience for you and your guests.

A white tent sits in a yard surrounded by benches for a backyard wedding.

A woman styles a bride's hair for her backyard wedding.

Get clear on your vision.

Sarah and Rob knew exactly what they wanted out of their backyard wedding. They were able to make decisions that aligned with that. That includes what they wanted out of their catering and wedding photography packages. Everything worked together to create a cohesive atmosphere.

Sunlight streams into a the living room of a Maryland lake house.

A bride talks with family members in her home.

Hire a coordinator.

When you get married at a residence, it can be tempting to skip a planner or coordinator. A month-of or day-of coordinator can do a lot to make sure you actually enjoy your wedding day. They can put out all the little fires so you can focus on being present with your people.

Wedding guests stand for the backyard wedding ceremony.

A bride and groom exchange vows in a lakeside wedding ceremony.

Indulge on what matters to you.

When you don’t have a venue making the rules, you get to decide what you want to splurge on and what you want to skip altogether. Do you want to create a decadent dinner party? Go big on tasty food or an eye-catching cake display. Instead of having a traditional wedding cake, Sarah and Rob opted for a table full of different cakes decorated with bright flowers.

Wedding guests throw flower petals as a bride and groom walk back down the aisle of their backyard wedding.

A Mix of Digital and Film Wedding Photos

The way you document your wedding should accurately capture the feeling of being there. As a Philadelphia wedding photographer, I specialize in film. Mixing digital and film wedding photos worked really well for the experience Sarah and Rob wanted to create for their backyard wedding. They wanted the whole day to feel less traditional and more intimate and artistic.

A child stands near a dog surrounded by older family members.

A bride poses with family for a photo under a tree.

I asked the couple about their dream for their wedding day. Here’s what Sarah shared: “I want the wedding to feel like an awesome, cozy dinner party. We aren’t using a lot of the old-fashioned wedding traditions and focusing on just celebrating with the people we love. I want the wedding to feel cool, editorial and a little edgy.”

A bride hugs a wedding guest while a friend straightens her train.

She went on to say, “I love your use of film and creativity. Your work is edgy and more editorial than the “standard” wedding photographer. We LOVE your work!”

I’m always excited to incorporate film into wedding coverage. It suited Sarah and Rob’s celebration. The fall colors are really vibrant in these images. The imperfections highlight the inviting feeling the whole day had too. Sarah and Rob’s backyard wedding was genuine to them. It was beautiful, cool, and welcoming. These photos give you a clear sense of the day’s atmosphere.

A bride and groom hold hands on a dock at their backyard wedding.

Sarah and Rob’s Backyard Wedding

Sarah and Rob live and work in Philadelphia, but they wanted to hold their wedding at Rob’s family lake house on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Since the couple met, the lake house has been their favorite place to read and relax together.

A wedding guest reads a sign outside the wedding tent.

A bride and groom listen to speeches at a backyard wedding reception.

In fact, the lake house is so important to Sarah and Rob that Rob proposed there. They headed down to spend a weekend with friends and family, and Rob asked Sarah to marry him. The couple got to celebrate with all of their closest people.

A bride and groom eat dinner with guests at a long table.

A bride wears a shall and points to the wedding cakes on a long table in a direct flash wedding photo.

Rob is also an amazing cook. Sarah said, “He won me over with handmade pasta every weekend.” As you might expect, they put a lot of care into making sure their guests enjoyed a beautiful meal at their backyard wedding. They definitely achieved their goal of an amazing dinner party.