An Autumn Backyard Wedding in White Plains, New York

Molly and Alex celebrated their union in a sweet, romantic fall backyard wedding in White Plains, NY. Though it may not have been the day that was initially envisioned, these two decided to forge ahead with their White Plains wedding. Despite the troubles that the pandemic has caused this year, couples like Molly and Alex have chosen to forgo traditional venues favoring a more relaxed wedding day.

Postponed Wedding Due to COVID-19

Most couples these days don’t envision planning a wedding at home. But for Molly and Alex, it ended up feeling so natural. It turned out that Molly’s grandmother and mother had both been hosted in this family home on their wedding days. It ended up working out perfectly that this couple moved their COVID-19 wedding plans to this upstate NY home.

Backyard Wedding Day Schedule

We started the day with the couple getting ready in their respective rooms, with Kenneth photographing the groom and Megan photographing the bride. It’s awesome to work together because splitting up this way allows us not only to capture the couple simultaneously but to also make sure they don’t see each other while they get ready. We did a first look with Molly and her father on the family staircase; the same place her mother and grandmother had been photographed on their respective wedding days.

Social Distancing at a COVID Wedding

Next, Molly and Alex did a first look under a beautiful tree in the family yard. The fall foliage was absolutely stunning, making for some fairy tale wedding photos to start the day. After the first look, we got most of the family photos done before the larger guest count arrived. As family and friends began to trickle in, the bride retreated indoors until the ceremony. The groom mingled with guests in a socially distant fashion, with all guests wearing masks. The couple set up a mask and sanitizer station, perfect for this COVID wedding in White Plains, NY.

Upstate NY Wedding in Family Backyard

Although there are so many gorgeous wedding venues in upstate New York, the choice to do this intimate celebration at the family home was perfect. With loving family members and close friends, it was a great solution to an event space during the coronavirus pandemic. The couple, of course, was conscious to follow both guidelines from health officials and noise ordinances. This made for an incredible NY backyard wedding celebration. Molly and Alex both made sure ahead of time that no one in their circle tested positive for COVID-19.

Beautiful White Plains Wedding Ceremony

The bride’s mother officiated Molly and Alex’s wedding, a special moment for guests and the couple alike. We shot a full ceremony single-angle video for the couple, allowing them to share the occasion with their wider circle of friends. The best part about having a ceremony video, especially during the pandemic, is that you can include others who couldn’t make it to your celebration. As they shared intimate vows with each other, their socially distant guests watched the big day unfold. The bride and groom also hosted a Zoom live stream of the wedding for family members who were out-of-state.

Backyard Wedding Reception Inspiration

The reception to this backyard wedding was one to remember. Starting with a cocktail hour bar setup, guests mingled amongst groups they felt comfortable with. The space was decorated with string lights, perfect as the sun set for the day. Their wedding colors beautifully matched the fall foliage, with the groom in a plum suit that contrasted perfectly. Despite the fact it wasn’t the initial day they had planned, this backyard wedding was a truly remarkable occasion.

Speeches, Dancing, and a White Plains Wedding Sparkler Exit

A few very close family members gave speeches during dinner, which ended up as a moving tribute to the couple. After speeches, the couple shared their first dance. Even without a dance floor, Molly and Alex absolutely crushed it. Space was made under the tent for the two to spin, dip, and dance around. To end the night, we captured their backyard wedding sparkler exit. Though they almost considered skipping it, this special moment was the perfect way to end the day.

Planning a Backyard Wedding in NY

Thinking about planning a backyard wedding in NY? Let us know! We’d love to help you with your upstate NY wedding photography and videography. Intimate celebrations like these are such a joy to capture! We can’t wait to see the creative ideas you come up with for your backyard wedding in New York.