Real talk from someone who planned their wedding during a global pandemic and still had the best day ever.
So there I was — curled up in a cushy brown recliner in our friend’s grandma’s living room — when three things hit me like a ton of DIY wedding centerpieces:
- We were in the middle of a full-blown global pandemic. 😷
- Kaleb and I wanted to wait until marriage to officially “move in” together.
- Was I even going to have a wedding? 😰
2020, am I right? Honestly, it wasn’t just a blur — it was like pouring boiling spaghetti into a strainer while wearing fogged-up glasses. You can’t see, you can’t stop, and you’re just hoping not to burn yourself. That was life.
But somewhere in that chaos, something beautiful happened. 🌹
After Kaleb proposed in early May, we packed up everything and moved to an apple orchard in Hood River, Oregon, on the property of our friend’s grandma (yes, there were plenty of apples). The world around us felt like it was on fire — and at one point, it actually was — but we were blessed with a peaceful countryside bubble.
At first, we considered just going to the courthouse and doing the whole “let’s celebrate later” thing. But then the idea of a small, intimate backyard wedding started to bloom. And honestly? It was better than anything I could’ve dreamed up. (If you’re haven’t yet read about the story of how we met, you can read it HERE.)
God has a way of taking the most uncertain, messy situations and turning them into something so perfectly orchestrated. I still get chills thinking about it.
So, with three months, a dream, and a Google doc color-coded perfectly, we planned our wedding. Here’s how we pulled it off — and how you can too.
1. Keep It Small, Keep It Sweet 💌
One of the perks of planning a wedding during a global lockdown? A naturally smaller guest list. One of the challenges? Yup — the smaller guest list.
Coming from a big family, narrowing it down was so hard. (If you invite one cousin, you invite the whole crew, right?) But it was also the first time I learned to set healthy boundaries — “It’s not me, it’s Covid,” became my polite go-to.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. A smaller guest list meant:
- Less food (hello savings 💰)
- Fewer tables and chairs (hello dance floor 🎶)
- More meaningful conversations (I actually remember who came!)
If you’re on the fence, smaller = sweeter. And more budget-friendly. Win-win.
2. DIY Where You Can — And Make It You 🎨
We were so blessed to have my mom — aka the real-life Pinterest fairy — take over the decor. (Yes, the same Mama June who made the famous Galentine Cake Pops — recipe here.) She created all our signage, banners, and most of the decorations by hand. These are some of her designs below!
Talented? Yeah, I know.
My cousin, an interior designer, let us borrow some gorgeous pieces that matched our theme perfectly. The best part? We spent next to nothing.
Your guests won’t remember every table runner or flower arrangement. But they will remember how the day felt — and putting your heart into those little details makes all the difference.
3. Feed the People (Without Breaking the Bank) 🍽️
Here’s a hot take: you don’t need a $100-a-plate caterer to make people happy.
My grandma whipped up homemade Korean kimchi and japchae (YUM, two of her staple dishes), and our friend’s dad grilled tri-tip and kielbasa like a pro. Not only was it delicious, but both were gifted to us out of love — and we’re still grateful.
Moral of the story: If someone in your circle loves to cook, ask them. People want to help. And feeding your guests with love >>> any five-star menu.
4. Spend on What Matters, Skip the Rest 💯
Our budget priorities were clear:
- A good photographer (our friend, Emily, nailed it and even surprised us with a wedding video gift! She was incredible to work with, I mean look at all of these photos! 😍)
- A killer bouquet 💐 (shoutout to another amazing friend)
- A DJ who took my playlist and ran with it 🎧 (Our friend, Ryan, is phenomenal at what he does!)
- A barber for all the groomsmen 💇♂️ (crisp cuts = essential)
The rest? We kept it simple:
- Secondhand dress, veil, and shoes = $200 total (originally $1,000+!)
- Macarons with a small fancy cake (no one even watched the cake cutting anyway, we could’ve even done a smaller cake!)
- Paper plates and plastic cutlery (yes, really)
Bottom line: Know your essentials. Ditch the fluff.
5. Make a Plan, Be Decisive, and Communicate 💬
If planning’s not your thing, find a friend or family member who lives for lists (hi, it’s me 🙋🏻). I had timelines, playlists, bridal party gifts, and schedules mapped out early — and it saved us so much stress later.
Kaleb and I also made sure to talk through everything we wanted — from must-have moments to hard no’s. Get on the same page before the big day. You’ll thank yourselves later.
6. People-Pleasing? Not Today. 🙅🏻
Weddings can bring out opinions — so many opinions. But here’s what we kept coming back to: This is about us. Not Aunt Carol. Us.
And that mindset carried us through every twist and turn:
- A forest fire literally crept down the hillside the night before our wedding… and blew away the next day. (Miracle.)
- We forgot bread for communion and ended up using garlic bread. (Honestly? Iconic and delicious.)
Stuff happens. Things go “wrong.” But if you focus on what matters — love, faith, connection — it will still be the most beautiful day of your life. 💖
Final Thoughts: It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Yours
Was it fancy? No. (But I felt fancy)
Was it perfect? Not even close.
Was it ours? Every single moment.
Plus I’m a little bias, it was the most fun wedding I’d ever attended. Dance party was the best part, hands down; I mean, the photos don’t do it justice. 💃🏻
Planning a wedding — especially in just three months, during a global crisis — was one of the most intense things I’ve done. But I wouldn’t change a thing.
If you’re thinking about doing an intimate backyard wedding — do it. Make it meaningful, make it memorable, and most of all, make it yours. ✨
I hope this post inspired you or at least made you laugh a little! If you liked it and want to read more content, subscribe for updates on my next post! (Don’t worry, no spamming from me – just an update!)
LOVED the re-capture of truly a blessed and so very memorable day! I’ve been to so many weddings, large and small and bias aside (mother of the bride 😉) one of the most enjoyable I have attended. ❤️