More than 40% of committed relationships begin online. Sara and Russ fall into the 40% and first met and matched up on OK Cupid. After attending a Tech N9ne concert, their relationship became official and they have been inseparable ever since! Since Russ proposed to Sara, they have worked tirelessly on their DIY backyard elegant wedding. And I will tell you this–it was perfect!
A little about DIY Backyard Elegant Weddings
DIY backyard weddings can be a chore and if you ask Sara about it, she’d tell you the same thing. Drawing on inspiration from previous brides, Pinterest, and her soon to be husband, Russ, they made something that I would never have expected to see outside of a venue. When I arrived at their beautiful home in rural Lebanon, Indiana, I was greeted with thousands of Christmas lights strung up on beams, for a reception area outside of their garage/bar. Behind the blacktop reception area, to the left, a large tree stands in their backyard and it was there they had set up their chairs and ceremony location.
Directly South of their ceremony area was their perfectly tented and bohemian AND ULTRA ELEGANT reception space. Two tents, separated in the center with an open air checkerboard dance floor, that they had set up, lit only by dozens and dozens of strands of Christmas lights. The Christmas lights were strung up on custom PVC pipes that Russ fitted to their tents and spent weeks creating.
DIY Weddings Can Give you Amazing Freedom!
Having a DIY wedding can give you the freedom to have your wedding exactly how you want it. Russ and Sara’s decor and theme stemmed from Sara’s home office, decorated in gold and dark green and all of these accents were the perfect addition to the fall feel and the gorgeous accents of cream and white throughout.
Russ and Sara were married just before twilight in their backyard of the home that they purchased together a few years back and honestly, if their wedding had been anywhere else, it would not have been as impactful and perfect. Thankfully, they chose what was important to them and this location and homespace was exactly what they both wanted.
Sara and Russ shared their first dance with Sara’s son, Vincent. The mother-son dance was also special and shared with Russ and his mother along with Sara and her son. Despite the intense winds that bombarded us throughout the day, everything was perfect for their ceremony and reception and the party raged on with the help of the wonderful DJ, Lakeside Entertainment.
What further made this wedding special are the little details. During each first look with her family members, mother, father, step-father, and brother, she had them add a piece to her bouquet of her grandparents’ jewelry including some lovely vintage brooches. These first looks were so moving and I am glad she made some time to do something so special.
We wish you all the best, Sara and Russ! Thank you for inviting me along to share in your most amazing DIY backyard elegant wedding.
A special thanks to the vendors:
Dress: David’s Bridal
Tuxedo: Jos. A Bank
Caterer: Cochran’s Catering and Cakes
Photography: New Adventure Productions
Makeup: Makeup by Mariie
Bridal Shoes: Self-Made!
Florist: Costco
DJ: Lakeside Entertainment
Sara’s advice to future couples: “Save money.”
If you love backyard weddings, be sure to check out this gorgeous Viking backyard wedding! https://newadventureproductions.com/winter-viking-wedding-wabash-india/
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Welcome!
New Adventure Productions is owned by Nate Dale, a Lafayette, Indiana wedding and elopement photographer. We travel nation and worldwide to capture beautiful and intimate weddings and elopements while providing a guidance, love, help along the way.
He is married to the love of his life, Felicia with their two doggies, Pika and Princess.