Real weddings | Published October 28, 2026
A backyard wedding can hold several different settings within one celebration. These three photographs by Anthony Ortiz come from the same wedding in a private backyard in Bristol, Connecticut: the outdoor ceremony, a close portrait beneath the veil and a reception moment under the tent.
- Location
- A private backyard
- Town
- Bristol, Connecticut
- Photographer
- Anthony Ortiz
- In this story
- 3 selected photographs
An outdoor ceremony with family close by
The couple face one another while their wedding party and family stand nearby. Trees and the lawn form the background. The frame includes the people around the couple as well as the ceremony itself, giving a sense of how the gathering fits into the space.
For your own backyard ceremony, share where the couple, officiant and guests will be positioned. Photographs need room for a clear view and a way to move without interrupting the ceremony. A picture of the proposed setup can be useful when we talk through your plans.
A portrait beneath the veil
The veil portrait brings the frame close to the couple. It feels different from the wider ceremony photograph while remaining part of the same wedding. A short portrait window can sit alongside candid coverage; the time needed depends on the photographs you want and where they will happen.
Tell us if you want to stay at the property for portraits or travel somewhere else. Moving to another location uses part of the booked photography time. Family groups also need a plan, especially when several relatives are helping with the celebration.
The reception under the tent
In the reception photograph, the groom offers the bride dessert while guests watch. The tent and strings of lights are part of the scene, but the interaction is what holds the frame together. It is a moment that would be missing from a gallery made only of posed portraits.
If your celebration continues after daylight, tell us about the tent, lighting and the order of reception activities. We can discuss how to photograph the evening and which events need to happen before coverage finishes.
Planning photography for a Bristol backyard wedding
Start with the ceremony time, the family combinations you want, any travel and the last reception moment you want photographed. Discuss the practical details too: a sheltered alternative for rain, where portraits can happen and any access needs for relatives. A smaller guest list does not automatically mean that all of those plans fit into a short booking.
Our shorter wedding coverage information can help you decide what to ask. If you only want portraits in wedding outfits, see the separate portrait-session options. Ceremony and celebration coverage uses the wedding collections.
For a celebration at home, share the location privately when you inquire. To see another setting, explore the Joseph Bianca Ballroom wedding in New Britain, or read our guide to wedding photography style.