This July wedding was a special one— one of my very best friends was getting married and I had the chance to be both a bridesmaid and be involved in the photography of it all. I’ve had a few friends say they would like me to shoot their wedding, but they also want me to be in it. So, I hired one of my photographer friends to take the photos on the day of, and I edited and handled everything with the planning. Being in the wedding industry, I love being able to help my friends (and any clients!) through a process that is foreign to most people.  Here is Caleigh and Derek’s tented wedding on private property.

We started the morning at Caleigh’s house, where all of us girls spent the night before. She had given each of us a black robe to carry the theme of the day as we got ready with the hair and makeup artists. Once the prep was complete, we drove to Derek’s parents’ property where the wedding would be held to finish getting dressed. The guys were ready to go, enjoying cold beers on the patio as the day started to heat up.

Soon, it was time for the first look and we moved into portraits, family photos, and wedding party photos. The wedding party wore all black, which elevated the look a lot. The bouquets were simple and elegant; all white with the green stems. I agree that the welcome mirror was my favorite piece! 

One thing about Caleigh is that she knows how to decorate. I have always envied the decor of her house, and the wedding was no different. She said, “I thrive on transforming spaces and turning a vision into a reality. My love for decorating finds its roots in ideas I’ve gathered, mainly from scrolling on Pinterest and the beautiful weddings I’ve had the pleasure of attending, which guided me in curating a wedding aesthetic that spoke to our style and love story. Some of my favorite decorations were the aisle, arch, welcome mirror, and the sign with our last name on it.” Her vision was all about simplicity with a sleek palette of black and white complemented by greenery and a touch of rustic charm.

Soon it was ceremony time, and emotions were high. Guests were seated on the lawn as we prepared to walk down the aisle. Groom, family members, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and soon Caleigh and her dad shared a tearful stride as he sent her off to make the marriage official. After a short and sweet ceremony, the bride and groom refreshed themselves as guests started cocktail hour and got seated for the reception. It was a great mix of family and friends and everyone was ready to spend the night celebrating. 

Tented Wedding Inspiration

A tented wedding reception can elevate the look of your reception, while also shielding you and your guests from any surprise weather. Whether it’s rain or heat, it’s functional. A white tent adds elegance and the string lights were also one of my favorite accents. Clear tents like this are also available, and I love how much natural light those would let in.

Ready to plan your tented wedding, on private property or your venue? Let’s do it!