Lovely Luna Events Co.

Wedding Season 2023 is in full swing! While weddings are such a wonderful event, this year has seen a huge increase in costs due to inflation. This has created the conundrum of deciding where to put in the most investment. This can be a difficult discussion to have. Even in the midst of all the hefty price tags, you can absolutely have a beautiful celebration. We’re sharing the story of Ben and Sonya who found creative ways to cut costs but still had a wonderful wedding!

It was a beautiful sunny day with blue skies and not a drop of rain! The ceremony site was a pretty wooded area on the couples’ own property. The hand carved arbor was hand crafted by groom Ben’s uncle. We really loved the addition of flower pot holders with bright pops of color. Arbor rentals can easily cost hundreds of dollars but this was a gift to the couple! Price tag: zero dollars! The bride loves to garden so the subtle touch of daffodils on the arbor and in front of the cross was perfect. Our bride wanted to focus on more sustainable flowers so she opted for plants that could be added to their yard! Buying plants versus a wedding floral arrangement was a cost effective way to add color without breaking the bank!

The reception was inside their newly built garage. This was a massive space so the challenge was creating a soft romantic vibe. We realized that the solution was simple: Add soft lighting! We dimmed the overhead lights and added some string lights. Cost: 80 dollars in total for all the string lights. People often overlook lighting but it’s the easiest way to change the atmosphere of a space quickly. The arbor was moved inside to serve as a backdrop for the sweetheart table. We also chose to set up the tables family style so that everyone could mingle! All the guests loved being able to talk to everyone instead of just their table. Sonya’s aunt and uncle provided the catering with a menu of delicious BBQ and homemade sides. We definitely had to have seconds. It was delicious! Cost: this was a gift! Zero dollars! Normally we suggest disposable dinnerware for smaller events, however Sonya thrifted beautiful vintage porcelain plates. There were intricate floral patterns on each plate, a subtle nod to their spring theme. The drinks were served in large glass gallon containers, you can easily find these at target for about $25. We took wood crates to create the display. We added in a hot tea/chocolate station with tea cups and matching saucers. The couple chose to forego a DJ and instead used a portable speaker. This worked out perfectly as this crowd was not big on dancing. They did have a first dance which had us all in tears. It was such a sweet moment!

Let’s talk details: We loved all the hints of spring colors! The bridesmaid dresses were a beautiful satin dusty blue. Bright yellow daffodils on the arbor popped against the wooded backdrop! The bouquets were soft white mixed with greenery. The bride’s bouquet was a gorgeous mix of white hydrangeas and spring blooms! The bride added a lovely pair of gloves decorated in pearls that matched the beading on her dress. We can’t forget the southern charm of the bride and bridesmaids in matching cowboy boots!

Let’s talk about all the pros of having a backyard wedding:

• The venue is free! Instead of paying for a venue, you can use those funds on other important wedding day details.
• It feels more intimate and cozy to you and your guests. Your home is a place that is familiar and comfortable. Why not celebrate your wedding at that same location?
• You can use home décor for wedding décor as well! You can use vases, vintage books, and flower pots as centerpieces. You can even use a mirror as your welcome sign or seating chart.
• Local guests won’t have to travel too far. Let’s face it, most people like convenience. They don’t want to spend all their time travelling to an event. They can even carpool!
• This is great for couples that have a limited budget. No matter what your budget is, everyone deserves to have a wonderful wedding day!

We have seen so many beautiful backyard weddings that capture the style and spirit of the couple! It’s absolutely possible to create an elegant event right in your own backyard! Find vendors that want to build your vision and have the ingenuity to bring it to life!

Lovely Luna Events Co would love to help you create your dream wedding! Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you!