Cliffside Vows & Backyard Feels: How to Plan a Meaningful Intimate Wedding
There’s something undeniably magical about saying your vows with the ocean below you and the breeze tugging at your veil. Add in a backyard reception full of laughter, string lights, and your favorite people, and you’ve got the recipe for a wedding day that feels deeply personal, wildly beautiful, and truly unforgettable.
Recently, we photographed an intimate cliffside wedding that embodied everything we love: heartfelt vows, a relaxed pace, and a celebration that felt like home. Whether you’re planning something similar or dreaming up your own unique version, here are some tips for making the most of a small-but-mighty celebration.
Choose a Location That Speaks to Your Heart
For this couple, the ceremony took place on a dramatic cliffside overlooking the Pacific—rugged, raw, and romantic. It doesn’t have to be a huge venue to make an impact; sometimes the best spots are tucked away down coastal trails or perched on quiet bluffs with nothing but sea breeze and sky.
Pro Tip: Reach out to your photographer (hi, that’s us!) for help scouting locations. We know the hidden gems with the best lighting, privacy, and that wow factor.
Getting Ready: Make It Part of the Experience
Your morning sets the tone for the entire day, so don’t treat it as an afterthought.
Here’s how to make the most of your prep time:
Book a cute hotel or Airbnb with great natural light (big windows!), a clean aesthetic, and enough space to breathe. Think soft linens, a few cozy corners, and maybe even a private patio for a quiet moment before things begin.
Pad in extra time for getting ready photos. You’ll want time to be present, to breathe, and to feel the moment—not rush through it.
Surround yourself with your VIPs—the people who know you best, love you the most, and make you laugh until your face hurts. Having them there creates space for the candid, emotional moments we love to capture: a teary toast from your best friend, a quiet hug from your mom, your sibling pinning a boutonnière with shaky hands and a full heart.
Ceremony Tip: Keep It Simple, Keep It You
When you strip away the big production, what’s left is the good stuff: your vows, your story, the way you look at each other as the waves crash below.
Whether you write your own vows or keep it short and sweet, an intimate setting allows you to be fully present—no distractions, no pressure. Just you, your person, and the wind.
Backyard Receptions Are the Best Kind of Magic
After the ceremony, the couple headed to a family member’s backyard—string lights overhead, home-cooked food, a self-serve bar, and music that felt like summer nights.
The beauty of a backyard reception is that it’s entirely yours to design. Want lawn games? Do it. A fire pit and s’mores? Yes please. Want to ditch the formal seating chart and do picnic blankets under the stars? Absolutely.
Bonus: You can spend more on meaningful details like a live musician or vintage lounge rentals and skip the parts that don’t matter to you.
It’s Not About Doing Less—It’s About Doing What Matters
This day wasn’t “small”—it was intentional. Every part of it was filled with heart, and every moment felt like a reflection of who the couple truly is. That’s the real power of choosing an intimate wedding or elopement: the freedom to craft a day that feels like you from start to finish.
We’d love to help you create something just as meaningful. Whether it’s a sunrise cliffside ceremony or a backyard dinner under the stars, we’ll be there to guide you, support you, and capture it all.
📩 Ready to start planning your own intentionally wild wedding? Reach out here
📷 See more real stories like this one: @wyldandwander