There’s something intrinsically magical about getting married outdoors. Whether the wedding is a backyard bash or a scenic ceremony, it makes sense that saying “I do” while surrounded by nature is becoming ever more popular.

As a wedding photographer and videographer in Central Florida, I’ve shot my fair share of outdoor weddings: and have seen plenty of mishaps along the way. Whether it’s makeup running during the noonday heat or nighttime parties with no lighting, while none of these incidents caused any major damage to the wedding day, they did each impact my ability to give my clients the absolute best wedding photography and videography experience.

If you’re considering holding your intimate micro-wedding or elopement outdoors, you’ll want to read this list of 9 things your wedding photographer wants you to know for a stress-free outdoor wedding: rain or shine.

Ever dreamed of getting married in an art gallery? One of Central Florida’s cultural gems, the Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach, FL is a unique, stunning wedding venue perfect for indoor ceremonies and receptions in the Central Florida area.

When Amy and I got engaged, our least favorite—yet most commonly asked—question was:

“So when’s the big day?”

No sooner had the ring been on her finger than people left and right started asking how the wedding planning was going. We’ve only been engaged for 2 days!

Wedding planning is basically a full-time job in and of itself. Now that we’ve been married for almost seven years (!), all I remember from our own wedding planning seasons is a blur of meetings, Pinterest boards, and a lot of stress as we juggled wedding planning with a full-time job.

Given how elaborate weddings seem to be these days, it’s no wonder that small, intimate weddings such as micro weddings or elopements are becoming more and more popular. We get it: we had a small wedding too, but even trying to pull that off felt like a drawn-out ordeal.

So when you’re looking to say “I do” to your love while saying “No way” to all the stress and chaos of wedding planning, micro weddings or elopements may seem like a perfect solution. But what’s the difference? Should you have a micro wedding or an elopement? Which one is right for you? 

For couples looking for a romantic, intimate garden wedding in Orlando FL, Leu Gardens is a must-see wedding venue. This affordable outdoor wedding ceremony venue also offers on-site indoor spaces for wedding receptions. Take your wedding photos among nearly 50 acres of historic gardens and dance the night away in the historic Leu house.