Colorful California Backyard Wedding: Stefanie + Leigh

thank you sign

Stefanie + Leigh went on quite the journey when it came to finding the perfect wedding venue, and I’m sure their dilemma will ring true with some of you as well. But in the end, they found the perfect place to celebrate their love + exchange their vows, with a colorful + festive wedding in their beautiful Los Angeles backyard! They incorporated lots of playful details that you’re definitely going to love. Personally, I’m crazy about their adorable ribbon-draped ceremony arch + the super pretty garden florals, featuring the most beautiful pink peonies! Here’s a bit more from Stefanie about their challenging venue hunt:

As Leigh (my then fiancé) and I were searching all of Los Angeles for our perfect wedding venue, he was a bit sticker shocked. He kept joking that it would be more cost-effective to buy ourselves a wedding venue than to book one for a night. I laughed at him as I usually do when he says crazy things, and we continued on our search. Eventually, we found and booked an amazing venue that was reasonably priced. It was a house on hill with views of the city and rolling hillside. Our wedding planning then continued in full force (save the dates sent, vendors booked, pretty much most everything completed). Surprisingly, a few months later, Leigh and I were fortunate enough to purchase a beautiful property in the Highland Park neighborhood of LA that had views of the city skyline and hillside. We immediately knew that our wedding day would be that much more special if we got married right in our own backyard. We had indeed bought ourselves a wedding venue — I hate it when Leigh’s right! ;)

So crazy how things work out sometimes! Big thanks to Marianne Wilson Photography for the lovely images + congratulations to Stefanie + Leigh!

chalkboard welcome sign

pink peony bouquet 01


Such darling bouquets, right?! Designed by Primal Flower, they embody the perfect, freshly-picked wildflower feel! For more bouquet inspiration, check out our flowers + bouquets pinterest board!

blue bridesmaids

blue bridesmaids

groomsmen

flowery boutonniere

ribbon chuppah

ceremony programs

outdoor ceremony

outdoor ceremony

outdoor ceremony


Imagine getting married beneath all of these pretty, colorful ribbons! Love it!

outdoor ceremony

outdoor ceremony

bubbles

wedding party


During my wedding planning, I found and purchased the perfect dress. I was so excited to wear it on our wedding day. Three months before the big day, we found out we were going to have a baby! My gorgeous but extremely fitted around the tummy area dress was suddenly questionable. I thought about getting it altered, but it just didn’t seem like the right dress anymore. Two weeks before our wedding I ordered a dress from LuLu’s, and that is the dress I wore on our wedding day. And you know what, it was the perfect dress! I felt beautiful, it was comfortable, and it seemed like the dress I was always meant to wear.

backless wedding dress

bride and groom

bridal braids

produce favors


Stefanie + Leigh styled a fun produce cart to serve as favors for their guests. So cute, right?

produce favors

mason jar centerpieces

mason jar centerpieces

mason jar centerpieces

blue bottle table numbers

flowery cake topper

love is sweet table

reception


Be sure to check out their sweet wedding film from Marianne Wilson Photography below!

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

The wedding we had on July 6, 2013 was not the wedding we had planned in 2012. My one piece of advice is to be open to change. Sometimes things happen that you don’t expect, sometimes things don’t happen that you expect to happen, too. Your wedding will turn out exactly how it is supposed to, and it will be wonderful.

photography: Marianne Wilson Photography // venue name: bride + groom's backyard Los Angeles, California // florals: Primal Flower // wedding dress: LuLu's // videography: Marianne Wilson Photography // catering: Event Professionals // cake: Vanilla Bake Shop // music: Diamond DJs Entertainment // dress store: Blush Bridal Couture

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