Today I’m sharing one of my favorite weddings from this year! Emily and John’s celebration at her grandparents’ home in Athens, TX, was the perfect wedding venue for an intimate wedding. Emily is seriously the sweetest, from one of my brides to now one of my friends. She owns a boutique that I love to shop at since she has the best taste! She’s just a little badass, and I love how her wedding day was the perfect representation of their relationship.

Getting Ready in Her Grandparents Room

The morning began with Emily getting ready in one of the rooms at her grandparents’ home, accompanied by just her sister. This was especially meaningful for her, as they had grown up visiting their grandparents’ house, making it one of those full-circle moments. To relive those childhood days, they had a sleepover the night before. There’s just something so special about starting your wedding day surrounded by family history and memories that make you reminisce while you’re about to enter a new chapter. Getting ready in a space that holds so much meaning added such a personal touch to the entire day.

Emily’s dress from Vivienne Atelier Dallas was the perfect combo of boho meets glam. The entire getting-ready process was incredibly relaxed. This was just what Emily needed before walking down the aisle.

The Heart of The House Turned Wedding Ceremony Spot

The ceremony was held in the living room, a place where they had spent so much time laughing and enjoying each other’s company, which was now where they would say “I do.” Having your closest people gathered in such a personal space creates the best atmosphere that you just can’t get at a traditional venue. Emily even used her grandma’s florist, which added such a beautiful and personal touch. You could tell that Emily really wanted to bring her family into this celebration with all of the planning and the specific vendors she used.

But the moment that absolutely melted my heart was when Emily walked down the stairs barefoot, with her shoes sitting at the bottom step ready for her dad to put them on her feet before she walked down the rest of the aisle. I have never seen this before at a wedding day, but it was the perfect personal touch to a wedding ceremony that really stood out to me as their wedding photographer.

The Most Chill Wedding Day Ever

One thing I absolutely loved about Emily and John’s wedding was how they prioritized actually enjoying their day. After the ceremony, Emily carved out about two hours for her and her family to just chill before the reception. They all sat on the back patio drinking and talking. It was the most relaxed wedding day I’ve ever photographed!

This is such a great idea for any couple planning their wedding. Building in time to actually be present and enjoy the moment with your people is so important. I’ve seen it so many times how couples will try to plan out every little moment on their wedding day, causing it to feel like a production where they are just going through the motions of getting married, instead of actually celebrating this milestone. Don’t feel like you need to plan out every single thing on your wedding day. Allow for extra time in your timeline to just enjoy the day, as it is the best way to spend time with your friends and family.

Intimate Reception with More Friends

While the ceremony was just their closest family and friends, the reception opened up to include more of their loved ones. This was such a good idea for Emily and John since the ceremony was in the living room, which could only hold a handful of the people they wanted to have join them during their intimate wedding ceremony. The reception was held in the garage, which led out to the driveway, allowing for more space for their guests.

What Makes Family Home Weddings So Special

I am always an advocate for a private estate wedding. Not only is your home a place where you’ve hosted birthday parties and holidays, but it’s also the place where your family comes together to simply hang out. There’s something about celebrating in a space that already holds so much history for your family that you just can’t recreate at a wedding venue. Another major perk of a wedding at home is that you can take your time without worrying about venue restrictions or feeling rushed to stick to someone else’s timeline.

Emily’s Review:

“Baylee, these are seriously incredible, thank you so much! I finally had time to download them, can’t wait to share them with family!”

Why Intimate Weddings Hit Different

There’s something so beautiful about an intimate wedding like Emily and John’s. When you strip away all the pressure to impress and focus on celebrating with your loved ones, it will be a day you’ll remember forever. If you’re considering a family home wedding or an intimate wedding, Emily and John’s day is the perfect inspiration. Planning an intimate wedding and looking for a photographer who will let you enjoy your guests without turning your wedding into a photoshoot? I’m your girl. Whether it’s at a family home or anywhere that is special for the two of you, I’ll be there to capture it all! Click here to get in touch!

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Photography: @bayreedphoto | Content: @aislearchives | Dress: @vivienneatelier.dallas