Discover Amanda and Alexis’ micro wedding in photos, and what you should know before holding a backyard micro wedding in Rochester, MN.
Let’s see what Amanda and Alexis did and how it turned out for their backyard wedding. You might find some ideas for your own event.
You will see that is was a nice, relaxed, family gathering.
When I arrived at Amanda and Alexis’ home, cars lined the street, and guests streamed in and out. That’s when I knew the celebration was about to begin.
Table of Contents
In-home preparation
For their preparations, they used a basic room. It wasn’t ideal for photos (like it would have been in a wedding venue), but that didn’t matter; they just wanted memories of loved ones around them.
I remember we had to be crafty to prevent them from seeing each other before the first look!
Funny first look with BFF
They picked a spot at the end of their street next to Rochester Career and Technical Education Center, the AUSTIN MELVILLE FIELD (RCTC), and the Olmsted Medical Center (Hospital & 24-Hour Emergency Department) parking lot.
Alexis was nervous, so Amanda arranged a hilarious surprise: his best friend emerged behind him in a wedding dress. The look on his face was priceless.
Bride and groom photo session
After that, we spent about ten minutes shooting in the same area. We had to hustle the couple along, since home weddings often run late when guests keep pulling you into conversations.
No Wedding Party
One specificity that I see often at a Micro wedding is the bride and groom not having a wedding party.
Exit the issue with the bridesmaid and their dress. Exit the stress of renting a suite for the groomsmen.
The Ceremony In their Backyard
A hired officiant from the Church (Reverend Nancy Wheeler Handlon) led the ceremony in their backyard, with their home as a backdrop.
The ceremony was short and sweet.
During the cocktail hour, guests each found a mini champagne bottle under their seats and popped it.
Then, mingling continued, and we grabbed a few group shots before it wrapped up.
The food: Pizza
For food, they kept it simple with a large pizza delivery from their local shop, Zadeos, but there are many (see the list after).
How did they set up their backyard, including DIY decoration, and which ideas you can use?
Seating arrangement
To keep some distance (we were in the beginning of Covid), they arranged chairs in small clusters for each family.
The simplest homemade arch ever
They repurposed two large 10-gallon tin planters as bases for 4×4 wooden posts. Across the top, they draped string lights wrapped in white tissue. They decorated those posts with string lights. Today, they use them on their patio.
Decorated tree and fence
They decorated the tree and fence by hanging their favorite photos on rope with clothespins. They even hung framed family photos.
Upgraded vine wall
They upgraded a vine-covered wall by adding white plastic flowers, transforming it into a stunning photo backdrop. So, for a few minutes, we turned this backdrop into a photo call.
Some Palette Project
Even at a wedding, you can include a DIY wood palette project!
As you can see, it’s effective.
The Bottle of Champagne
Given it was a pandemic time, every guest (in the age of drinking) was gifted with a mini bottle of champagne in a bucket underneath their seat.
Conclusion on Alexis and Amanda’s Micro Wedding
Despite the pandemic that made everything complicated, despite the insurmountability, they decided not to change their plan and get married anyway. They reconsidered their priorities, picked only the closest family, and got married in their backyard.
As you can see, even at a micro wedding, there can be a lot of emotions.
And even on a DIY wedding, there could also be a lot of stress in managing a perfect event at home. Indeed, if you see the last photos, just before I left, you see that the bride and groom are finally breathing normally 😀
Check their Slideshow
It was a beautiful day full of emotion. I am glad they decided to hire a wedding photographer to have all those memories captured.
With Alexis and Amanda’s wedding, you can envision what a relaxed backyard micro wedding can look like and what kind of picture to expect.
Now let’s the specificities of holding a backyard micro-wedding in Rochester, MN.
Specificities of Holding a backyard wedding in Rochester, MN.
What does the law say? Do you need a permit to hold a private event on your prop?
In a general manner, the answer is no. A micro wedding is considered a family meeting, and you don’t need any permits, except if you are planning to do the following things:
- Having some loud amplified music, even late at night
- Installing a large tent (especially close to electric lines)
- Having a bar service (it’s better to do it yourself than request a Temporary liquor license)
- Blocking your street to host your party
Backyard Party, Noise, Neighbors, and Noise Ordinances
In Rochester, MN, it is allowed to gather people in your backyard:
- From 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday
- From 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday
However, using devices like radios, musical instruments, or any other sound-producing equipment that disturbs the peace is prohibited.
If sound is plainly audible at 50 feet or more, it is considered a violation.
If you plan to party extensively in your backyard, be conscious of the noise.
It is easier to host a large backyard wedding if you live in the countryside rather than in a densely packed neighborhood.
Law and Insurance for a party on your property
If you host a backyard wedding, you should purchase event insurance.
It typically covers:
- Guest injuries
- Property damage
- Alcohol-related incidents (host liquor liability)
Some policies also offer cancellation coverage for extreme weather, illness, or emergencies. Rental items like tents and tables are often included under property damage coverage. Homeowners’ insurance typically does not fully cover weddings.
Many vendors (especially rental companies) will require proof of event insurance.
Adding vendors as additional insureds on your policy is common and easy.
- Event insurance usually costs between $125 and $300.
- Cancellation coverage can add another $100 to $300.
Overall, insurance, if not always mandatory, protects you from significant financial losses if something unexpected happens.
If you are planning a large backyard wedding and want to ensure everything runs smoothly, you’d better avoid having a police officer end your gathering. It might be wise to contact the Rochester City Clerk’s Office at (507) 328-2900 for guidance.
Food options in Rochester for a Micro Wedding
Alexis and Amanda went with Pizza Zadeos, which is convenient because they delivered everything.
Deciding if you want the food delivered (more convenient) or if you want someone to pick it up would already shape your options.
The best Pizza options: wood-fired one.
In Rochester, I would recommend a few wood-fired pizzerias:
- Tilda’s Pizzeria
- Pi Wood-Fired Pizza
Note that the Forager Brewery has some amazing Pizza, but you would have to pick it up.
14 Food truck Option in Rochester, MN for your wedding
A food truck is a great way to have a mini-catering experience. They have their own kitchen in their truck and are use to deliver food for a lot of people.
There are many food trucks in Rochester that you can consider:
- Corona’s Tacos
- Tacos El Sueno
- Taco Lab
- The Compadre Food Truck
- Los Arcos Kitchen & Cantina
- Lino’s Taqueria Food Truck
- El Samurai Japanese Teppanyaki Cuisine
- Azteca Mexican Tacos
- Acme Chicken Bowls
- Delicious Pupusas!
- Waldo’s Pizza Joynt
- FoodLab
- Ruben’s Tacos
- Tacos Juquilas LLC
- Pizzaalasbrasas Castro
- La Borinqua Puerto Rican Cuisine
- Firebrick Bread (Mobile Pizza Oven)
To finish, be aware that even the Bleu Duck Kitchen has its food truck! Bringing the level of a distinguished restaurant to your backyard!
6 Caterers for your micro event
Caterers provide good food and peace of mind. Rochester has several caterers that can work with you for a micro event.
From Hyvee to the Pinnacle, the quality and degree of exigence will vary.
Here is a list of caterers in Rochester
- Pinnacle Catering
- Catering by Design
- This Little Piggy Catering (Farmington, serves Rochester area)
- Victoria’s
- The Tap House (West End/Historic 3rd St)
- Tavern 22 Neighborhood Grill
For a longer list, check our vendors list. You will also find bar service.
So, where to start on your micro wedding?
From a desire for a relaxed, stress-free celebration like Alexis and Amanda, to a sophisticated backyard reception, or to an impromptu elopement on a paradise island, micro weddings are defined solely by their size. They bring their own advantage and inconveniences, depending on what you are looking for.
However, there is one certainty: to plan a successful micro wedding, check our complete guide to micro weddings to start right now.
Keep also in mind that micro is flexible, and can even include a stop at a simple restaurant, or renting a simple room in a basic place.
I’ve shared an example of a backyard micro wedding where the couple prioritized family, simplicity, and a laid-back vibe. I hope you found ideas to inspire your own celebration.
As always, if you’re looking for a photographer, I invite you to contact me today!
