A Backyard Wedding in Occidental, CA
Some weddings are styled.
Some are scheduled.
This one felt lived in.
Set on a family property in Occidental, Scott and Mariya’s wedding wasn’t just a gathering—it was a continuation. Generations have passed through this land. This wasn’t the first wedding here, and you could feel that in the way the day unfolded.
For couples planning a backyard wedding in Sonoma County, this is the part you can’t replicate at a venue—the history is already there.
First Look in the Redwoods
They met in a quiet redwood grove, just the two of them.
No audience. No pressure. Just a pause before everything began.
When they turned toward each other, it was simple and honest. The kind of moment that doesn’t need direction—just space.
This is what draws so many couples to Occidental weddings. The landscape does a lot of the work for you.
Tradition, Without the Production
The ceremony blended tradition with intention in a way that felt grounded, not performative.
A close friend created their ketubah—painted by hand and read aloud in front of their community. It wasn’t just symbolic. It felt lived-in, like something they would carry forward.
Before stepping fully into the ceremony, the couple each walked a circle around the other—a quiet, intentional moment that’s part of many Jewish weddings. It’s often seen as creating a sense of protection and connection, marking the beginning of their shared space together. It felt less like a ritual being performed and more like something deeply felt.
They stood beneath the chuppah, a simple structure but layered with meaning—representing the home they’re building together. Family members and close friends stepped forward to read, each voice adding something personal to the ceremony. It wasn’t one perspective—it was a collective one.
Friends and family each read blessings and messages to the couple as everyone shared in officiating this wedding. Each time holding the same silver couple that the couple drank out of following the blessings
The vows themselves were steady and honest. Laughter came easily. So did the tears.
And when the glass broke, everything shifted. Cheers, movement, release—the quiet gave way to celebration.
A Backyard Reception That Opened Up
As the light softened, the structure of the day did too.
A surprise klezmer band carried through the trees. People gathered closer. Shoes came off. Plans loosened.
There were skits, dancing, and the kind of moments that only happen when no one’s trying too hard.
And then the hora—fast, chaotic, joyful. Chairs lifted, everyone pulled in.
This is the rhythm of a lot of DIY backyard weddings—less production, more presence.
The In-Between Moments
As the sun dropped behind the redwoods, everything slowed again.
Speeches stretched a little longer. People lingered. Stories landed deeper.
And when the dance floor filled, it wasn’t about timelines anymore. Just movement, music, and being fully there.
Why Sonoma County Backyard Weddings Feel Different
There’s a reason couples are leaning into backyard weddings in Sonoma County.
You get to build a day that reflects you.
You get a space that already means something.
You get moments that aren’t rushed.
Scott and Mariya’s wedding felt like all of that—intentional, unfiltered, and fully their own.
Looking for a Sonoma County Wedding Photographer?
If you’re planning a wedding in Occidental or anywhere in Sonoma County—and you care more about how it felt than how it looked—
I’d love to photograph it. See More Real Sonoma County Weddings Here.
