Some of my favorite weddings happen with no venue at all. Dominique and Kris didn’t need one. They had her parents’ backyard in Elkton, Maryland, a secret garden of a property that runs all the way down to the Elk River, and about sixty five of the people they love most. When I asked Dominique for three words to describe her wedding, she wrote romantic, meaningful, creating lifelong memories. That is exactly what this backyard wedding in Elkton, MD turned out to be.
As a Delaware and Maryland wedding photographer, these are the days I love most. Nobody from a venue telling you where to be, no rush, just a family hanging out in their own yard and being with one another.
Everyone got ready at an Airbnb just down the street, right on the water. Before anything else happened, Dominique and Kris shared a quiet moment together, and Kris had his vows written out in a leather book that he carried with him all day. I noticed it every time I looked over.
The rest of the morning was pure family. Flower girls twirling in their dresses and making faces with the bride, bridesmaids toasting with champagne, Dominique taking a big bite of a sandwich in her robe, and Kris getting in a few reps on the bench press in his suit. Nobody was in a hurry, and you can feel it in every frame.
Kris and Dominique did their first look at the end of the dock, with the Elk River stretched out behind them. Then they read their vows to each other, just the two of them, before a single guest arrived. Their ceremony vows were traditional. These were personal. After that, Dominique had her first look with her dad, and his reaction says everything a dad feels on that day. That one got me a little. It’s still one of my favorite moments from the entire wedding.
The ceremony happened under a big old tree in the garden, wrapped in soft white lights with crystals hanging from the branches, surrounded by four garden squares with fountains, statues, and benches. Dominique walked through a tunnel of trees on her dad’s arm while a family member played the keyboard.
Family was woven into every part of it. Their nephew carried the rings, and their dog Manny, also known as “Best Manny,” walked down the aisle with the maid of honor. When they were pronounced married, Manny was right there at their feet for the celebration. And it was a hot June day. Kris stepped up in a big way, took the heat all day long, and never stopped smiling.
Here’s the thing about this one. Dominique planned every detail herself, and the property did the rest. Cocktail hour was set beside a little rock river under Edison lights, with a DIY installation of gold frames, moss, and fairy lights hanging in the trees. The reception tent overlooked the pond and the bridge, with handmade wooden mushroom and dragonfly centerpieces mixed in with eucalyptus, white roses, and lavender. Beyond the pond, a wisteria covered pergola became a Gatsby style cigar lounge. I kept finding new corners to shoot.
We snuck away once the sun dropped low for portraits under her veil, along the river beach at the back of the property, and through the woods. Then, after dark, the tree from the ceremony lit up and gave us some of my favorite night portraits of the year. The sunset porch, the toasts, the dance floor, all of it. This day was awesome.
What Made a Backyard Wedding Work for Dominique + Kris
Dominique and Kris got ready at an Airbnb a few minutes away, which kept the house free for setup, and its waterfront dock turned out to be a beautiful spot for their first look. Back at home, the gardens did most of the decorating, so Dominique kept the florals simple and let the trees, the water, and the paths carry it.
It was a hot summer day, and the shade, fans under the tent, and cold drinks made a real difference for their guests. After dark, the string lights and wrapped trees changed the whole feel of the yard. Every home and every family is different, so there’s no single way to pull off a backyard wedding. This is just how theirs came together, and it was a great one.
Planning a backyard or private estate wedding in Maryland, Delaware, or anywhere nearby? We photograph and film weddings with a documentary approach, which is a fancy way of saying your gallery and film will feel like your day, not a photo shoot. Reach out and tell us what you’re dreaming up.
Vendor Credits
Photography: Christopher Ginn Studios
Catering: T&M Catering
Tent + Rentals: Eastern Shore Tent & Events
DJ + Officiant: Sky Brady
Hair + Makeup: Honey Salon
Wedding Dress: June & Bridal
Alterations: Betty’s Boutique
Groom Attire: Downtown Bridal Salisbury
Groomsmen Attire: David’s Bridal
Cake: Miah Bella Baking
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