There are many trends when it comes to weddings, including the choice of venues. However, weddings that take place at childhood homes are so special and unique that they will never go out of style. It may be the home you grew up in, or the lake home or mountain retreat you spent the summers. Choosing a place that is near and dear to your heart is a wonderful way to have the sentimental wedding you’ve always imagined.

A home is more than a house. A home is where memories are made and family can always return to find love and rest. If home is where the heart is, what better place to have a romantic wedding? If your backyard or family home is not wedding-ready, there are plenty of simple or elegant ways to transform it into the perfect wedding venue.

How to turn a backyard into a wedding venue:

Find the Most Sentimental Backdrop

A large oak tree, rustic barn, grassy field, family vineyard, or water view make great options.

Consider the Time of Year

If your backyard has great landscaping, lots of trees, or maybe some wildflowers, pick the month you know will look best.

Hire Experts

While you may look at your childhood home and wonder if it’s even possible to have a wedding there, you would be surprised what wedding experts can do. Look for a team that has experience in designing private events at homes. They can magically find the perfect space, setup, and décor to make your home look and feel amazing.

Three Reasons We Love Photographing Weddings Where the Bride or Groom Grew Up:

1. Sentimental

At a family home, the surroundings are rooted in family history and hold special meaning in the details: pictures on walls, backyard tree swings, even the front door where family, friends and memorable moments have come through. These areas make for extra meaningful images with the couple.

2. Relaxed

Having a natural connection to an environment lends itself to being more relaxed. This typically results in a pace that is slower, allowing for a less hectic and rushed day. Naturally, the day will go by quickly, but the more relaxed everyone is, the more everyone can take in the whole experience. Since the bride and groom feel familiar with the location, they’re likely to share even more laughs, smiles, and moments that create genuine expressions for your photographer to record.

3. Intimate

Most guests have a history with the home as well. So, even if it is a large wedding, there is a sense of intimacy because of the familiarity. This creates a welcoming environment that is perfect for candid pictures. While everyone is reminiscing and savoring the moment, it’s our pleasure to capture it all through authentic photography.

Take a peek at some of our favorite childhood home weddings we’ve recently photographed to find inspiration for your own! Check out Katie & Erik’s private estate Palos Verdes wedding, Anne and Mac’s romantic Santa Ynez family vineyard wedding, and Fontine & Stephen’s eclectic Palos Verdes wedding. The two Palos Verdes estate weddings allow you to see how a similar location can look drastically different depending on the style.

Message us at sonja@mikiandsonja.com for more information!