English Garden Inspired Backyard Wedding: Amy + Brian

bride and groom

Amy + Brian knew they wanted to host a smaller, more intimate affair that was a true celebration of their love and life together. They decided Amy’s family backyard (in Orange County) would serve as the perfect setting for their English Garden inspired summer wedding, and got to work brainstorming ideas for crafting a unique + meaningful event. While it’s hard to pinpoint our favorite detail from the day, the swimming pool awash with floating candles + garden blooms just might take the cake. Talk about romantic…wait until you see it!  Here’s a bit more from Amy about what inspired their choices for the day:

Inspired by Downton Abbey, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre, we wanted Sugar & Fluff to create an English Garden setting for our backyard wedding. Brian and I not only love the stories that take place in the old English countryside, but were inspired by the most recent movie adaptations as well. Through an array of lush florals and intimate candle lighting, our backyard was transformed into the setting we really loved. Vignettes of victorian and art deco benches as well as light fixtures surrounded the long tables of distressed chairs, soft, shimmery linens and gold rimmed china with crystal stemware, it was a perfect balance of elegance and rustic. We wanted everything to be organic, intimate and free flowing + through soft and romantic details designed by our wedding artists, I think we accomplished just that!

Thanks so much to Richelle Dante Photography for the romantic imagery + congratulations to Amy + Brian!

invitation

flower crown bridesmaids

wedding ring


Amy’s gorgeous bouquet was designed by Honey & Poppies. Love the soft, romantic tones + all of the pretty textures!

juliet rose bouquet

welcome calligraphy sign

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

Everything was such a dream come true, but the most magical part of our day was the ceremony. Brian’s best friend married us and it was one of the best decisions we made. The three of us worked together to create a ceremony that was unique to us as a couple and that would resonate with the guests. We wanted the ceremony to be about us, but also a reflection of love and commitment in general. We also wrote our own vows, which was very meaningful. We also did a spin on traditional vows, the whole “I take you to be my husband….” but we chose the wording that we wanted. Our entire ceremony was customized to us and it was so magical to not only help create, but to experience it as the moment of union between the two of us. I can tell you that there was honestly not a dry eye anywhere!

backyard ceremony

backyard ceremony

backyard ceremony

bride and groom

floating flowers


With the help of Discovered Interiors, Sugar & Fluff designed a distressed fireplace façade, adorned with a massive floral wreath and candle-lighting to give the setting a cozy + intimate feel.

white mantle and flower wreath

gold and pink tablescape

geometric leaf table numbers

gold candlesticks

pink centerpiece

table number

flower wreath

vintage getaway truck

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

Follow your heart. Make your day what YOU want it to be. There is so much pressure on a bride now-a-days to have the hippest and coolest wedding, but, you and your fiancé are the most important people on that day. Make it how you want it, not how you think other people want it. That will make your day that much more special and meaningful.

Also find vendors, designers, photographers that you get along with and understand exactly how you want your day to feel and to look. Working with people that totally get your vision will make your day and all the work leading up to it wonderful.

photography: Richelle Dante Photography // venue name: Bride's parents' backyard Orange County, California // event design: Sugar & Fluff Design House // planning: Sugar & Fluff Design House // florals: Sugar & Fluff Design House // wedding dress: Jenny Yoo Collection // hairpiece: Veil and hairpin from B Bride // hair stylist: Design Visage // makeup artist: Design Visage // groom attire: Paul Smith // paper goods: Sugar & Fluff Design House // catering: The Lime Truck // cake: The Happy Monkey Baker // music: DJ Ann -- [email protected] // bouquet: Honey & Poppies // personal flowers: Honey & Poppies // fireplace installation: Discovered Interiors // cupcakes: The Happy Monkey Baker

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