Sometimes the best wedding plan is to stop waiting for a better one.
After months of setbacks and uncertainty during the pandemic, Edna and Aaron decided to do exactly that. With Edna's family in Colombia unable to travel, they traded their original plans for an intimate backyard elopement in Sarasota, Florida, with their loved ones joining through a screen.
There were handmade flowers, a ridiculously beautiful DIY cake, pets underfoot, and a sunset celebration along the Gulf Coast.
And honestly? It was pretty damn perfect.
THE QUICK TAKE
Location: A private backyard in Sarasota, Florida, followed by dinner and sunset on the Gulf Coast.
Wedding style: Intimate, budget-conscious, and full of handmade details.
The meaningful part: Family and friends joined virtually, with both fathers participating in the ceremony.
The takeaway: You can celebrate your marriage now and plan a larger gathering later. One doesn't have to replace the other.
When Life Gets in the Way, Elope
Edna and Aaron had been through the wringer trying to plan their wedding.
With the pandemic changing everything and international travel restrictions keeping Edna's family in Colombia, it was impossible to know when everyone would finally be able to celebrate together.
So they made a decision.
They would get married now, in a private backyard ceremony, and save the larger celebration for a time when everyone could safely be together.
No more waiting around for circumstances to cooperate. No need to put their marriage on hold because the original plan wasn't possible.
They were getting married, dammit.
And as it turns out, a small wedding can hold an incredible amount of love, even when some of the people you love most are thousands of miles away.
A DIY Elopement With a Whole Lot of Heart
Edna is a crafty little bean, and I mean that in the most affectionate way possible.
She pulled together an absolutely beautiful elopement while keeping everything within a manageable budget.
Her dress? A magical Amazon find.
The flowers? A gift from Aaron's mother, who went out, bought bulk florals, and created the arrangements herself.
And the cake? MADE BY EDNA.
Yes, she made her own wedding cake. And yes, it was ridiculously beautiful. I'm convinced she could be a professional cake artist in a parallel life.
Every detail felt thoughtful and personal, not because they had spent a fortune, but because so much of the day had been created by the people who loved them.
Their pets were there, too. Including Riley, who stationed herself beneath the cake, presumably waiting for someone to make a very fortunate mistake.
Honestly, same, Riley.
A Sarasota Backyard Ceremony With Family From Near and Far
When it came time for the ceremony, Aaron's father stepped in to officiate.
Meanwhile, Edna's family and closest friends joined virtually, watching the two exchange vows from wherever they could.
It wasn't quite the gathering they had originally imagined, but it still made room for the people who mattered.
One of my favorite moments was when Edna's father gave a beautiful toast, translated by her sister.
But here's the part that really got me.
For the traditional moment when someone asks who gives the bride away, Edna's father had actually learned to say "her mother and I" in English so he could participate.
I KNOW.
Such a tiny detail, but so incredibly thoughtful.
There was something really special about seeing both sides of their family play a part in the ceremony, even with an ocean between them.
And then, of course, there was cake.
That perfect, perfect cake of perfection.
The whole celebration was proof that you don't need a ballroom full of people to have meaningful moments. Sometimes a backyard, a laptop, and the people who love you are more than enough.
Cuban Food, Champagne Sangria, and a Gulf Coast Sunset
After the ceremony, we headed out to celebrate properly.
And by properly, I mean delicious Cuban food, champagne sangria, and the beautiful open air of Florida's Gulf Coast.
Did I mention it was the same champagne sangria Corey and I had at our own wedding?
The Columbia is a restaurant I’ve gone to my entire life (literally), so it was a joy to share it with Edna and Aaron.
I love when little things like that come full circle.
After dinner, we stopped at Whitney's on Longboat Key for cocktails and complimentary dessert.
At the time, Whitney's was one of my new favorite spots, and I was honestly hesitant to even mention it on the blog because I wanted to keep it all to myself.
But here we are. Sharing is caring, apparently.
We ended the evening watching the sunset, celebrating our dear friends who had just gotten MARRIED.
And then came the drive home.
Windows down. Music blasting. Florida night air rushing through the car.
Edna and Aaron were in the backseat, officially married.
Probably making out.
Who's to say.
It's one of those little memories that will always make me smile.
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What Edna + Aaron's Elopement Got So Right
I think there's a lot to learn from a wedding like this.
First, meaningful doesn't have to mean expensive. Edna and Aaron created a gorgeous celebration with handmade details, family contributions, and a little creative problem-solving.
Second, being physically present isn't the only way to be included. Even though Edna's family couldn't travel, they still had a role in the ceremony. Her father's toast, her sister translating, and those few words he practiced in English made the distance feel a little smaller.
And finally, your ceremony and your celebration don't have to happen on the same day.
Edna and Aaron knew they wanted to celebrate with everyone eventually. But that didn't mean they had to wait to get married.
There's no rule that says the wedding has to happen all at once.
You can keep the traditions you love, make room for the people who matter, and still choose an experience that fits your actual life.
Sometimes that means a big celebration. Sometimes it means running away to the mountains.
And sometimes it means getting married in your backyard and ending the night with champagne sangria and your favorite people.
Hell yeah to that.
Edna + Aaron
I had big expectations because I’ve seen their amazing work, but they honestly blew my mind with my weeding pictures, they look like out of a dream (I never thought I could look that good). They also captured every single moment, all of the most special moments, and made them look just as perfect as they felt. I’m so so incredibly happy and thankful for them, for being part of this wonderful day and immortalize it in such a magical way.
The Elopement Details
Ceremony location: Private backyard in Sarasota, Florida
Wedding dress: Amazon find, selected by Edna
Floral design: Handmade by Aaron's mother
Wedding cake: Baked and decorated by Edna
Officiant: Aaron's father
Dinner: The Columbia at St. Armands
Cocktails + dessert: Whitney's, Longboat Key
✶ Photography: Going Home Co.
Ready to have the perfect backyard elopement? Let’s put umbrellas in our drinks and talk about it!
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