This session was shot by GMP founder and Principal Photographer Elizabeth Millar
Wendy and Bryan had a small backyard wedding on their 5-acre Mt. Dora property—and I felt like a part of the family.
I do a lot of backyard weddings. They’re some of my favorite events to photograph—intimate, real, and almost always full of more emotion than anything that happens in a ballroom. But this one was something else.
Wendy and Bryan got married on their 5-acre ranch property in Mount Dora, Florida on a beautiful overcast day. They’ve been together over six years and they’re both 50+, deeply rooted in their Christian faith, and completely in love. They were clear that they did not want a big production, but instead a day that meant something—a wedding on the land they call home. They wanted their closest people around them and photographs that would capture all of the emotions. I’m so glad I got to be there.
Brywen Family Ranch: The Property That Made This Wedding
Not every backyard is five acres with ancient live oaks, Spanish moss, a wide open pasture, and a barn in the distance. Wendy and Bryan’s property in Mount Dora doesn’t need decoration to photograph well, because it already looks like a painting.
They’ve named it Brywen Family Ranch (a blend of Bryan and Wendy) with a longhorn skull logo that showed up on signage throughout the day. The name says everything about what this wedding was about: not just two people getting married, but a blended family being built with purpose, on their own ground.
The back of the property has a canopy of live oaks that draped Spanish moss over everything. Between the woodland feel and the open pasture, we had more to work with in one backyard than most couples get in three venues.
Getting Ready: Quiet Moments Before the Walk Down the Aisle
I started early with Wendy alone in her room.
Wendy was quite emotional about the loss of her father going into this day, and I think we cried together within about ten minutes of meeting. It set the tone for everything that followed. This wasn’t a day I was going to photograph from a distance. I don’t take for granted the real emotions and genuine connections I form with couples, and it’s one reason why I love this work so much.
The Backyard Wedding Ceremony Setup
The ceremony space was set up under the live oaks, and the trees did a lot of the work. They set up the guest seating with cross-back wooden chairs in rows with white fabric ribbons plus a burlap aisle runner. Wendy and Bryan stood under a simple birchwood arch with white draping, pampas grass, and soft greenery—nothing overdone, nothing that competed with what was already there. The overcast sky gave a soft, even light perfect for outdoor portraits.
For couples thinking about backyard wedding decor ideas, this is worth paying attention to: when your backdrop is this strong, you don’t need to add much. A few intentional touches are all you need, just let the land be the venue.
The Ceremony: Married Under the Spanish Moss
Wendy came down the aisle in her white fitted gown with a cathedral veil trailing behind her. The ceremony was faith-centered—exactly as Wendy and Bryan wanted it. There were vows, there were tears, and there was a first kiss under the oaks with Spanish moss swaying behind them. Every guest in that backyard wedding party celebrated together when they made it official.
The Portraits: Three Very Different Backdrops on One Property
One of the things I love most about backyard weddings with real land is that you can move—and this property gave us three completely different portrait settings without ever getting in a car. The woodland section of the property with live oaks, palmetto fronds, and the mossy canopy above gave us portraits that felt intimate and still. Wendy and Bryan laughed and they held each other as the light came through the Spanish moss. Out in the pasture, the dramatic overcast sky did its thing. There are not many places left with this much open field, but when I see this, I know I have to capture the scale and simplicity. I also loved the playful portraits on the swing, showing off Wendy’s boots!
For one set of portraits, Wendy held one of her father’s hunting guns alongside her bouquet of white roses. Since she had lost her father, she found a way to bring him into the day, and I know those images are going to be a cherished keepsake for her.
I also shot on Polaroids throughout this wedding. Some days just call for it—something physical to leave behind, something that can’t be deleted or stored on a drive. For Wendy and Bryan, on a day this full of meaning, it felt right to make something they could hold in their hands immediately. They loved it.
The Reception: Family, Farm Tables, and a Ranch Vibe
The reception brought everyone together on the lawn—long wooden farm tables, warm earthy tones, and a big blended family filling every seat. This wedding was the start of a family officially becoming one, on their own land.
FAQ: Backyard Wedding Planning Tips
The biggest benefit to hosting a backyard wedding is that it’s yours. You’re not working around a venue’s rules, their rental window, or their aesthetic. You set up when you want, you stay as long as you want, and the whole thing can look and feel exactly like you—because it’s literally your home. For couples who want something intimate and personal rather than produced, a backyard wedding is hard to beat.
Start with the basics: where will the ceremony happen, where will people sit, and what will be behind you in the photos. From there, think about a simple arch or altar focal point, seating with some kind of aisle, and a runner or pathway to walk down. You don’t need a lot—the space does more work than most couples realize. A photographer who has done backyard weddings before (like me!) can help you think through flow and logistics.
Keep it simple and let the natural elements lead. Wooden chairs, neutral fabric, pampas grass, and greenery tend to work well in Florida because they complement rather than compete with the landscape. Meaningful signage (like a family name or a favorite quote) add personality without clutter.
It depends on your county and the size of your event. For smaller gatherings on private property, permits are often not required—but it’s worth checking with your local county office, particularly around noise ordinances and any temporary structure requirements. When in doubt, a quick call to your county clerk’s office will tell you what you need to know.
You want a wedding photographer who’s done backyard weddings before and specializes in intimate events and micro weddings. Your photographer needs to know how to work with natural and available light, navigate tight spaces, and stay out of the way while still capturing everything. Backyard weddings move differently than venue weddings—they’re less structured, more organic—and you want a photographer who’s comfortable in that environment rather than someone who only knows how to work a reception hall.
Most backyard wedding ceremonies work best with somewhere between 20 and 50 guests, though I’ve photographed both smaller and larger. The sweet spot is a number that fills the space without overwhelming it—enough people that it feels like a real celebration, few enough that everyone actually gets a moment with the couple.
More Backyard Weddings Captured by Gracie May Photography
If you’re dreaming of a backyard wedding and want to see more, you can take a look at my entire backyard wedding collection or browse the weddings below:
- Winter Garden Micro Wedding at Home
- Tampa backyard wedding at family home
- Simple Back Yard Wedding in Sorrento Florida
Planning a Backyard Wedding in Central Florida?
Wendy sent me the sweetest testimonial after their wedding day: “We were blown away with the stunning photos that perfectly captured the essence and truly reflected the feeling of our blessed and beautiful day. You will not regret choosing Elizabeth to capture your monumental moments.”
That’s what I’m here for. If you’re planning a backyard wedding in Florida (whether it’s on your own rural property, next to your pool, or at a rental home), I’d love to hear about it. Fill out my inquiry form and let’s talk about your day.
