Rockford, IL Event Planner’s Intimate Backyard Fall Wedding

Wedding couple posing together on their big day smiling

Covid-19 has brought MANY surprises to couples over the past year. This couple had their plans ready and set by Christmas and their wedding wasn't even until October, so they thought they were in the clear and would not be impacted by the pandemic. As their wedding date got closer they realized they had lots of hard decisions to make. Keep scrolling to read through this bride's experience as they made tough decisions and find out how this couple ended up with the most beautiful backyard tented wedding and a night that was filled with moments that they'll never forget.

You can see all the images in the full gallery here photographed by Luis Hermosillo. Event Floral created all of the amazing florals and tablescapes you'll see throughout, Elegant Presentations provided the rentals, Chance Productions the wedding tent and Oakhouse Wedding Films filmed this special day.

Elegant gold heels and clutch on a bed, wedding day details

Woman getting makeup applied with a mask-wearing artist in progress

Mother helping bride button her dress before the wedding ceremony

Bride hugs mother, warm embrace with a lovely smile

Bride in white dress with bouquet in autumnal forest setting

Bride holding a burgundy and white bouquet on a wedding day

From The Bride

I had always wanted a tented wedding in the fall and Anthony loved the idea too as long as it didn't interfere with a major UofM football game. We looked at a couple of venues even though I knew what I wanted. We selected Klehm Arboretum in the new tent and pavilion in the gardens. After that, the other vendors were easy to select.

In December, after Christmas, we spent the day in Chicago wedding dress shopping (my mom and two sisters and Anthony's mom and younger sister) and both our families had dinner after. It was a great day! We pretty much had everything done for the wedding and were coasting.

Newly married couple celebrating with confetti after the ceremony

Bride and bridesmaids smiling with bouquets, fall wedding

Bride and bridesmaids with flowers at a fall wedding

Wedding party celebrating with the bride and groom in a forest setting

Romantic wedding couple embracing in a tender moment outdoors

Newlywed couple share a romantic kiss on their wedding day, outdoors

Then, in March, Coronavirus hit. We thought we would be fine since our wedding wasn't until October 17. We were quarantined, which gave me a lot of time to work on details for the wedding I probably normally wouldn't have had the time for. I had a lot of fun with the design and personalizing the little details.

In August, we were going to visit my parents and we knew we had to make some tough decisions and make a plan B. Anthony had already talked with his parents before we went down and they knew we were hoping to have a plan when we came back.

We thought about all the different scenarios as we could. One thing was for sure, Anthony and I did not want to postpone the date. We have been together for almost 5 years and we wanted to start our life together.

In the end, we decided to cut down our guest list significantly from 175 to 75. My mom suggested having it in their backyard, which was the last place in my mind cause I never thought she would want to do that. As soon as she said that I knew what I wanted. If I were going to have a backyard wedding I had to have a Sperry Tent.

Elegant outdoor wedding reception venue with floral archway and candles

Wedding arch decorated with vibrant flowers and greenery closeup

Newlyweds sharing a kiss under a floral arch on their wedding day

Bride and groom walking to a wedding tent reception in autumn

sperry tent backyard wedding

We called Jason at Chance Productions and it turns out they just had a cancellation for the tent that we wanted. We contacted all of our other vendors and they were on board. Although it was a tough decision to move the location and cut down our guest list, it was the best decision for us as a couple.

In the end, everything went smoothly, we were able to have our ceremony in the church as we wanted and had our dream wedding with 75 of our closest friends and family in a safe way. Our favorite moment from our wedding was when we sat down to dinner and finally had a moment to soak it all in together.

Listening to the band in the background and seeing our closest family and friends enjoying conversations and realizing this beautiful event was in my parents' backyard. At one point we said to each other how we couldn't believe we were in my parents' backyard. It was an unbelievable day/night filled with moments we will never forget, but having that moment together was so special.

Wedding welcome sign with Anthony and Britta on October 17, 2020