5 “When Less Is Absolutely More – The Romance of an Intimate Backyard Wedding”

Wishlist

💛 When Less Is Absolutely More – The Romance of an Intimate Backyard Wedding

Couple: Jenna & Pieter
From: Johannesburg, South Africa
Location: Bride’s childhood home in Parkhurst
Guests: 24
Theme: Garden Minimalism meets Sentimental Charm
Season: Late Spring (October)
Vibe: Soft florals, barefoot vows, homemade magic

🏡 The Big Shift: From Venue Glam to Garden Soul

Jenna had originally planned the kind of wedding you see on Instagram reels—mountain views, 150 guests, a luxury venue in the Cape Winelands. But halfway through planning, she hit a wall.

“I was burnt out from decisions,” Jenna says. “Every quote felt like another piece of pressure, and the whole thing was starting to feel like a performance, not a celebration.”

After a late-night heart-to-heart with Pieter, the couple had a moment of clarity: “We realised we wanted to feel our wedding—not just fund it.”

The very next day, they cancelled the big venue and decided to host their wedding in the most personal place they knew—Jenna’s family home in Parkhurst, the same garden where she took her first steps, learned to ride a bike, and had Sunday lunches under the jacarandas.

🌿 Turning the Garden Into a Dreamy Wedding Space

With help from their families, the couple transformed the garden into a botanical haven that felt effortless and elevated.

Decor Highlights:

The ceremony arch was made from two vintage garden gates, wrapped in soft pink bougainvillea, eucalyptus, and white roses picked from neighbours’ gardens.

Aisle chairs were a mix of mismatched vintage dining chairs, picnic blankets, and wooden stools borrowed from friends.

Handwritten wooden signs guided guests to “Vows This Way,” “Toilets That Way,” and “Hugs Over Here.”

The bride’s mother made fabric bunting from old family linens, adding threads of family history into the air.

Guest Favour Tip:
Each guest received a handmade mini jar of homemade strawberry jam, labelled with their name and “Spread the Love – Jenna & Pieter.”

👣 The Ceremony: Jacarandas, Jazz & Joy

The ceremony began just before sunset, timed so the golden hour light filtered perfectly through the blooming jacarandas. Instead of a traditional aisle, Jenna walked barefoot across a carpet of fallen purple petals, arm in arm with her two grandmothers.

Pieter’s brother officiated the ceremony, blending humour with heart. He told stories from the couple’s relationship—including the time they tried to cook a gourmet meal and nearly burnt down their flat.

There were no rules. No formality. Just love.
The vows were written by the couple and exchanged in front of a small semicircle of smiling, teary-eyed guests. A jazz trio played “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as the newlyweds kissed and hugged every guest—no procession needed.

🍷 The Reception: One Long Table, One Long Night

Under a canopy of fairy lights and tree lanterns, guests gathered around one long rustic table dressed in white linen, brass candlesticks, wild greenery, and sprigs of lavender tucked into napkins.

The Menu:

Starter: Beetroot & goat cheese salad with toasted pecans

Main: Braai station with lamb chops, marinated halloumi skewers, sadza cups, and grilled corn

Sides: Heirloom tomato salad, basil butter potatoes, crusty bread with herbed olive oil

Dessert: A three-tier homemade lemon & poppyseed cake made by Jenna’s aunt

Jenna’s dad, a jazz lover, curated a custom playlist that moved from soft acoustic into upbeat Afro-jazz and classic 90s hits. Instead of speeches, the couple opened the floor to spontaneous toasts, and within minutes, guests were sharing heartfelt memories and hilarious stories.

✨ Dancing Under the Stars

There was no dancefloor—just an open patch of lawn, and barefoot guests twirling with glasses in hand. As the night got cooler, guests wrapped themselves in fleece blankets and sat on hay bales around a small fire pit sipping rooibos gin and tonic.

For their first dance, Jenna and Pieter danced alone—no announcement, no pressure—just a shared moment to Norah Jones as fairy lights flickered above and the smell of jasmine filled the air.

💬 Bride’s Reflection

“I didn’t have a designer dress, a choreographed first dance, or a five-tier cake. But I had my people. I had joy. I had Pieter looking at me like the only person in the world. It wasn’t the wedding I thought I wanted—it was better.”

🌍 Why This Inspires

Weddings don’t have to be expensive to be extraordinary. Jenna and Pieter’s backyard wedding shows that authenticity and heart can turn even the most familiar place into something sacred. With fewer guests, you get more moments, more connection, more presence.

In a world chasing “bigger and better,” sometimes the most moving weddings are the ones that feel like home.