How Do You Plan an Intimate Backyard Wedding on Vancouver Island? | From a Wedding Videography Team

Start by planning around connection instead of tradition. The most meaningful backyard weddings on Vancouver Island come down to three things: choosing a place where you feel at home, adding moments that are unique to you, and building a timeline with enough breathing room to actually enjoy your guests. Marabel and Evan did exactly that on their family property in Nanaimo, with 50 guests, private vows and a wedding planner handling the setup.

What questions should you ask before planning your wedding day?

Before choosing vendors or décor, ask yourselves three questions:

1. Where do we feel most comfortable and connected?
2. What moments will make the day unique to us?
3. How do we make sure the day doesn’t feel rushed, so we can be in the moment with the people we love?

Marabel and Evan built every decision around these. Their answers led them to a family property instead of a traditional venue, private vows before the ceremony, and time alone together right after saying “I do.” As a Vancouver Island wedding photography and videography team, we’ve filmed weddings planned to impress and weddings planned to be enjoyed. It’s almost always the second kind couples are still talking about decades later.

Who is a backyard or family property wedding best suited for?

Couples who value connection over convention and want a day that feels personal rather than performative. It’s a great fit if you’re planning a smaller guest list, have access to a property with real sentimental meaning, and want the freedom to design the day around what matters most to you. More couples on Vancouver Island are choosing this route because it gives them space to slow down and spend real time with the people they love.

Do you need a wedding planner for a backyard wedding?

Yes. If you’re getting married on a family property, I consider a planner essential. Without a venue team, everything from rentals and setup to teardown and day-of coordination falls on you and your family. Backyard weddings can be the most stressful and time-consuming to set up when no one is managing those details. Marabel and Evan hired a planner so the setup and logistics were taken care of, and they could simply enjoy their day.

Watch Marabel & Evan’s Wedding Film

How to pick a space that feels meaningful to you

Right from the initial call, Marabel and Evan shared one simple hope for their wedding day.

They wanted to relax and enjoy every moment of the day. Not just physically, but mentally.

They didn’t want to spend months planning only to feel overwhelmed when the day finally arrived. They wanted time with their family, to laugh with friends, to spend intentional time together, and to celebrate without feeling like they were performing for anyone.

When they asked themselves: Where do we feel most comfortable and connected? The answer was simple: their family’s property in Nanaimo.

Instead of a venue that felt unfamiliar, they were surrounded by memories, towering trees, wide open lawns, and generations of family who had gathered together for meaningful moments through the years.

With only fifty guests, every person there played an important role in their story. All four grandparents were able to celebrate alongside them, making the day feel like home.

How to plan a First Look that is meaningful, memorable and intimate

Not all first looks have to be the same! Marabel and Evan intentionally and thoughtfully planned one of my favourite moments from the entire day before Marabel had even put on her wedding dress.

Rather than having a traditional first look, they followed their hearts and planned something unique to them.

Evan was fully dressed and waiting for Marabel to join him. When she arrived, she was wearing a simple bridal white pyjama outfit instead of her gown. It allowed them to protect the surprise of seeing each other during the ceremony while still creating space for something deeply personal and intimate.

There were tears almost immediately just from seeing each other. Then, they exchanged handwritten letters and private vows.

Away from family, away from guests, and away from the timeline, they were simply two people promising forever.

It was one of those rare moments that remind you why slowing down matters.

Later in the day, when they finally saw one another at the ceremony, the excitement was still there. But because they had already shared their hearts privately, they could simply enjoy the celebration that followed.

And those private vows made their full wedding film all the more meaningful.

How do you make your wedding day unique to you?

When Evan and Marabel asked: What moments will make the day unique to us?, they knew they wanted a close friend to lead the ceremony. It was just one of the many ways they had the people who are most important to them share in the celebration. (They had completed the legal paperwork the day before).

Their floral arch overflowed with soft blues and deep rose blooms while bridesmaids wore complementary dresses in a beautiful mix of colours that perfectly suited the relaxed garden atmosphere.

There was plenty of emotion throughout the ceremony, but just as much laughter.

You could see it on every face. This wasn’t a room full of guests politely watching a wedding unfold. This was a community celebrating two people they genuinely loved.

How do you make sure your wedding day doesn’t feel rushed?

One of the things Marabel and Evan specifically asked for before the wedding was fifteen or twenty minutes completely alone together following the ceremony.

We slipped away to a nearby forest where a beautiful waterfall and gentle stream created one of the most peaceful portrait locations in the area.

It was quiet. The July sun was shaded beneath towering trees and made way for one of the sweetest moments of the day.

During his private vows, Evan spoke about tracing the words “I love you” across Marabel’s back early in their relationship. It had become one of those small memories that quietly stayed with both of them over the years.

While photographing portraits, we recreated that same moment, as can be seen on their full film.

Sometimes the most special moments aren’t carefully planned. They’re little pieces of someone’s story brought back to life.

Why Video Meant So Much to Marabel & Evan

When asked how they wanted to feel watching their wedding memories years from now, Evan shared something key that many couples overlook (and is part of the reason I got into this profession in the first place!)

“I love watching my parents’ old wedding video.”

It perfectly explained why wedding videography mattered to them. Photographs freeze a moment forever. Film lets you experience it all over again. You can hear the emotion in private vows. You can listen as a lifelong friend describes Marabel as the colour yellow. Vibrant, joyful, and the light that follows a dark winter. You can hear Evan’s father encourage them to build a marriage that is healthy, happy, and fulfilled.

Film captures the laughter between speeches, the cheers on the dance floor, and the voices of people who won’t always be standing beside you.

One of the biggest reasons couples choose Vancouver Island wedding videography is because film preserves the voices, laughter, movement, and emotion that photographs simply can’t capture on their own. Years from now, those voices become just as important as the photographs themselves.

As a Vancouver Island Wedding Photo and Video Team, this is exactly why we believe photo and film work so beautifully together. One preserves what your wedding looked like. The other preserves what it felt like. If you would like to discuss how Wedding photography or videography with our team might feel for your wedding day, learn more here.

How to Plan a Wedding Reception Guests Will Actually Remember

Keeping people fed and happy is one key to making sure everyone has a great time after the ceremony! (Check out this blog with Wedding Day snack and food ideas that are trending currently!)

Everyone gathered beneath a beautifully decorated reception tent, where long family-style tables were filled with colourful wildflowers, speeches and plenty of laughter as the evening celebrations began.”

In addition to a formal dinner, guests enjoyed delicious food from Van Island Poutinery and were treated to ice cream floats later in the evening. There was also a salty snack bar waiting for everyone after hours of dancing.

Every decision encouraged people to stay a little longer, laugh a little louder, and enjoy one another’s company.

By the time the dance floor filled, it was obvious their biggest hope had come true. They weren’t worried about anything anymore. They were simply celebrating with their loved ones.

Planning your day with a timeline that matches the day you want to enjoy is made easier with my free timeline template. Click here to gain access to it + other resources that will help you plan a stress-free wedding you will remember forever!

Choosing Meaning Over Expectations

Looking back on this wedding, one thought keeps coming back to me.

Marabel and Evan weren’t trying to create the most impressive wedding. They were trying to create the most personal one.

Every decision pointed back to that goal.

• A family property instead of a traditional venue.
• Private vows before the ceremony.
• Time alone together after saying “I do.”
• Fun food trucks.
• Thoughtfulspeeches.
• Hours spent dancing with the people they love most.

Planning an Intimate Wedding on Vancouver Island?

There isn’t one perfect way to plan a wedding. The best weddings simply reflect the people getting married. When every decision begins with “Will this help us enjoy the day together?” it’s amazing how naturally everything else falls into place.

Whether you’re planning a celebration on a private family property in Campbell River, an intimate forest wedding in Nanaimo, or a luxury venue anywhere on Vancouver Island, our goal is always the same.

How we help you feel Fully Present on your Wedding Day

We want you to be present on your wedding day while we preserve every moment through both photography and film. From helping you build a stress-free timeline to preserving every heartfelt moment through photography and film, we’re here to make sure you can spend less time worrying about your wedding day and more time living it.

If you’re searching for Vancouver Island Wedding Videography or a Vancouver Island Wedding Photography and Videography Team that values genuine connection just as much as beautiful imagery, we’d love to hear your story.

Is a family property a good place to get married on Vancouver Island?

Yes! If that’s what feels best for the day you are planning. Family properties are becoming an increasingly popular choice for couples planning intimate weddings on Vancouver Island because they offer flexibility, privacy, and sentimental value that traditional venues often cannot. A family property allows you to personalize every part of your wedding day while celebrating in a place that already holds memories. If you have enough space for your guests and have considered logistics such as parking, rentals, and permits where required, a family property can create an unforgettable wedding experience.

Is wedding videography worth it for an intimate wedding?

Wedding videography is often even more meaningful for intimate weddings because every guest has a close relationship with the couple. Your wedding film preserves not only how your day looked, but also the voices, laughter, vows, speeches, and emotions that photographs alone cannot capture. Many couples say their wedding film becomes one of the most treasured ways to relive their celebration for years to come. So in my opinion, yes! It’s worth it.

How can I make my wedding day feel less rushed?

One of the best ways to create a relaxed wedding day is by building intentional breathing room into your timeline. Consider scheduling private vows, a first look, or quiet portrait time together after the ceremony. Working with an experienced Vancouver Island wedding photographer and videographer can also help you create a timeline that allows you to enjoy your guests while still capturing every important moment without feeling rushed.

Why choose the same team for wedding photography and videography?

Choosing a Vancouver Island wedding photography and videography team means both your photographer and filmmaker work together with the same storytelling approach and timeline. Rather than competing for moments, your team collaborates to document your wedding seamlessly, creating a final gallery and wedding film that complement one another and tell your story naturally from beginning to end.

Should we have private vows before our wedding ceremony?

Private vows are a wonderful option for couples who want to share personal promises without the emotions or distractions of standing in front of guests. Many couples choose to exchange private vows during a first look so they can be present with one another before the ceremony begins. It also allows you to preserve the excitement of seeing each other again during the ceremony while creating one of the most important moments of the day. It’s not something necessary, so if you prefer the traditional route, that’s ok too! I have timeline options that work either way to ensure your wedding day remains stress-free.

Looking for a Photographer or Videographer for your Wedding Day?

Hey, I’m Hayley. I’m a wedding photographer and Videographer based in Victoria BC on Vancouver Island, and I specialize in capturing timeless, vibrant, connection-filled images for couples who want to remember how it all felt, not just how it looked.

If you’re planning an engagement, proposal, or weekend getaway in Victoria BC and want images that reflect your love story in a way that feels relaxed, real, and beautiful, I’d love to chat.

My sessions are laid-back and fun, full of movement and laughter, and built around your unique energy as a couple. Whether you’re popping champagne, walking through the forest, or dancing barefoot on the beach, I’ll be there to capture the moments that matter most.

Serving Victoria BC, the entire Vancouver Island coast, and the rest of the world!

See more of my work on Instagram @hayleyzumkellerphotography
Ready to book your own session? Click here to contact me today