SAN DIEGO BACKYARD WEDDING - EMMA + COLE

Emma & Cole had other plans for their 2020 wedding, when those plans got shut down - they pivoted! I am a major lover of intimate weddings, so I was very excited about their decision. I’ll let Emma tell you more about their change of plans —

1. What was your favorite part of your wedding day?

Gosh this is hard, but I'd probably have to say the moment right after Cole and I got to the end of the aisle after saying our "I Dos". I can still feel that hug (you captured the moment so perfectly!) Wedding planning in the midst of a pandemic had been stressful, and with all the uncertainties and even thinking if we were going to be able to have a wedding as planned, that moment brought this "we did it" type feeling and sense of relief and security that I can't even describe. It was such an amazing moment knowing that we are now husband and wife and walking through this crazy life together and knowing that I have someone by my side through everything - gosh it's just such an amazing feeling.

2. What was most important to you when planning your wedding?

Most important thing to me when planning our wedding was: GETTING MARRIED!!! and keeping at the forefront what was most important to the two of us, and that was being able to commit our love to one another, and start the rest of our lives together. Pandemic planning was really a silver-lining in a way, it allowed us to really focus on what we want for our future and not get distracted by the "party" of weddings. That, and also my photographer - I don't think I waited even 12 hours after getting engaged before texting you!

3. What advice would you give someone who is planning a backyard wedding?

DO IT! Having a backyard wedding was the dream wedding I didn't even know that I wanted. I had always dreamed of a big elaborate wedding, but this was so much better than the venue that we originally had booked. After everything was said and done, we probably "planned" the backyard version of our wedding in less than a month. It was small, intimate, and the fact that it was the backyard of my childhood home holds such a special place in my heart. It's a place we can go back to whenever we want (as long as my parents don't sell their house!), and spend time reminiscing on our day. Just because it's a backyard wedding doesn't mean it can't look nice! With backyard weddings you're not limited to a venue's vendors, you can totally make it YOU! It also allows you to really get a chance to mingle with your guests, and if you're one who struggles with a guest list having a smaller "venue" helps with the list for you.

4. Did you have a honeymoon or plan to?

We had plans to go to Hawaii but never ended up booking flights - we hope to be able to travel there at the end of 2021.

VENDORS:

Photography: MANDI LYNN PHOTO @mandilynnphoto / Makeup & Hair: KC Witkamp @kcwitkamp / Dress: BHLDN / Bridesmaids: BHLDN & Show Me Your Mumu / Florals: Allen’s Flowers @weddingsbyallens / Suits: Indochino / Food: ¡Salud! @saludtacos / Cake & desserts: @cakexjamie