Kate & Ben’s Elegant Backyard Elopement in Malibu, CA

Weddings/Elopments
Written By Megan Moore
 
A soft, misty view of green rolling hills in Malibu, California, with sunlight filtering through the clouds and distant ridgelines fading into the haze.

Every time I think back on this elopement, it reminds me of what truly matters on a wedding day. Friends, family, and their love for one another!

K&B’s intimate elopement took place on a cool day in May, up in the mountains of Malibu.

The couple expressed to me their desire to have completely candid coverage during their elegant and intimate Backyard Elopement.

We started the day at their beautiful mountain home that overlooked the ocean. The mist was just beginning to settle across the shore as the couple got ready.

A man in a tan linen suit leans casually on a balcony railing overlooking sunlit green hills and a hazy sky in Malibu, California.
A bride sits on a bed in a softly lit room, smiling as she puts on her gold heels, wearing a sleek white dress and delicate veil with floral details.

The Ceremony

Kate and Ben’s ceremony took place on the balcony of their friends beautiful canyon home. They brought in tables and chairs, and strung beautiful lights that added a touch of whimsy. Their friends even played live music!

K&B walked each other down the aisle and B’s father officiated the wedding. They said their vows as the cool fog flooded the canyon and their friends tossed petals as they finalized their ceremony with their first kiss.

An intimate wedding ceremony takes place on a wooden deck surrounded by trees, with guests seated in wooden chairs and string lights overhead.
A female musician in a black dress and boots performs at an outdoor wedding, singing into a microphone and playing acoustic guitar beside an amplifier.
Two men dressed in suits chat and smile on a wooden deck during a backyard elopement celebration, one holding a champagne flute.
Bride and groom joyfully walk hand-in-hand down outdoor steps, surrounded by lush greenery, during their intimate backyard elopement celebration.
Bride and groom walk hand-in-hand down an aisle lined with rose petals toward their officiant during an intimate outdoor elopement ceremony on a wooden deck.
Bride in a white gown gazes lovingly at her groom during their intimate outdoor wedding ceremony surrounded by lush greenery.
Bride and groom share their first kiss as a married couple on a forested deck, surrounded by petals and tall trees.

Hand-Picked Details for their Backyard Elopement

Kate and her friends went to LA’s flower district that morning and hand selected the blooms they would use for the elopement. Their extremely talented friend, Mary Wakefield, arranged the flowers.

Every single detail was put together by K&B’s friends and family.

Silver ice bucket filled with champagne and white wine bottles, surrounded by floral ice cubes, with a pastel flower arrangement in the background.
Wedding hydration station with iced tea dispenser, orange juice carafe, blue napkins, “Cheers!” napkins, and pastel floral arrangement in the background.
Close-up of a chilled bottle of Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio in a metal ice bucket with floral ice cubes, with soft peach and cream flowers in the background.
Wedding welcome table with framed photos of the couple, a “Welcome Kate and Ben” sign, an open guestbook with floral pencils, and a white envelope with a blue heart seal.
Bride in a white dress arranging a gold candlestick on a wedding reception table adorned with pastel floral arrangements and elegant table settings.
Elegant wedding place setting with a white and gold charger plate, white dinner plate, gray knotted napkin, and printed menu card, accented by a floral centerpiece.
Elegant wedding drink station with champagne, wine, juices, iced tea, floral arrangements, glassware, and a “Hydration Station” sign on a white tablecloth.
Champagne flutes with bubbly on a marble tray adorned with white flowers, next to a blush and cream rose floral arrangement at an elegant outdoor wedding.
Elegant outdoor wedding reception table with pastel floral centerpiece, crystal glassware, gold flatware, and blue table runner, with guests mingling in the blurred background under string lights.
Elegant wedding table centerpiece with pastel roses, white peonies, chamomile flowers, and greenery in a stone vase, surrounded by crystal glassware, gold flatware, blue table runner, and candle votives.

A Twinkling Reception

After the ceremony, the balcony was transformed into an elegant reception area. Warmers were rolled in, blankets were handed out, candles were lit, and a beautiful dinner was served. Everyone gave a toast to the beautiful couple as the night came to a close.

At the end of the reception, K&B brought out their beautiful cake,
baked and decorated by Kate herself!

Long outdoor wedding reception table set with white linens, blue table runner, gold flatware, crystal glassware, and pastel floral centerpieces, surrounded by guests mingling in the background.
Bride and groom embrace during an intimate outdoor reception under string lights, surrounded by guests in cozy attire and blankets on a cool evening.
Man in a checkered suit lights a blue taper candle at an elegantly set table, with crystal glassware, gold accents, and a smiling woman in the background.
Large white serving bowl filled with a fresh salad of greens, berries, and edible flowers, garnished with pink roses, set on an elegantly decorated table with blue fabric runner, gold flatware, crystal glassware, and lit candles.
Black-and-white photo of wedding guests seated at a long outdoor dinner table under string lights, with patio heaters and fur shawls keeping guests warm on a cool evening.
Bride and groom stand together during an evening wedding reception, the bride holding a glass of red wine and smiling while the groom speaks, with guests seated around them under string lights and patio heaters.
A small blue frosted wedding cake topped with white and blush flowers and a gold script cake topper reading "The McDonalds," displayed on a white cake stand.
 

Hair & Makeup | Michelle Vanderhule

Florals | Mary Wakefield

Photography | Megan W Photography

Gown | Made With Love

Man in a beige suit sits cross-legged in a wooden chair, smiling and relaxed, in a modern living room with a tiled fireplace and woven rug.
Bride in a white gown smiles while standing beside the groom, who is seated in a wooden chair wearing a beige suit, in a bright modern room with a tiled fireplace.
Bride in a white gown leans over to embrace the groom, who is seated in a wooden chair wearing a beige suit, inside a bright room with a tiled fireplace.
Black and white photo of a bride in a white gown and veil sitting by a window, adjusting her shoe with a focused expression.
Bride in a white gown and veil stands in a doorway holding a champagne flute, smiling as a bridesmaid in a light green dress reacts with surprise and joy.
Bride in a white gown and veil embraces a bridesmaid in a light green dress, smiling warmly while holding a champagne glass.
Wedding guests sit and chat on an outdoor deck decorated with string lights, surrounded by lush greenery and a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
Two men in suits share a conversation on a wooden deck during a wedding reception, one holding a champagne glass, surrounded by trees in the background.
Smiling man in a beige double-breasted suit stands on a wooden deck during an outdoor wedding, with string lights overhead and green trees in the background.
Bride in a white gown and groom in a beige suit walk hand-in-hand down outdoor wooden steps, smiling at each other, surrounded by lush greenery.
Smiling bride in a white gown holding a pastel bouquet walks hand-in-hand with groom in a beige suit down a wooden deck, surrounded by lush greenery.
Close-up of a bride’s hand holding a pastel wedding bouquet with white, peach, and blush flowers accented by soft greenery and light blue blooms.
Black and white photo of a bride in a fitted gown and veil hugging an older man during an outdoor wedding ceremony, with rose petals scattered on the wooden deck.
Wedding guests seated outdoors on a wooden deck surrounded by greenery, watching the couple and officiant during an intimate backyard ceremony under string lights.
Bride and groom stand facing each other, smiling, with the officiant between them during an intimate outdoor wedding ceremony on a wooden deck surrounded by greenery.
Close-up of the bride and groom holding hands during their wedding ceremony, with the bride clutching handwritten vows and wearing delicate gold chain jewelry.
Black-and-white close-up of a bride placing a wedding ring on the groom’s finger during their ceremony, with the officiant holding a book in the background.
Bride and groom share their first kiss as a married couple during an outdoor ceremony, framed by lush green trees and soft falling flower petals.
Bride and groom walk back down the aisle after their outdoor ceremony, smiling as guests cheer and toss rose petals in celebration.
Groom embraces the officiant in a heartfelt hug after the ceremony, while guests nearby clap and smile in celebration.
Groom in a beige suit smiles warmly while holding a fluffy brown dog during an outdoor wedding celebration.
Bride and bridesmaid, both in elegant gowns with fur jackets, smile while mingling at an outdoor wedding reception under string lights.
Bride in a faux fur jacket smiles while looking at a card with a guest in a floral dress during an outdoor wedding reception.
Wedding guests gather for an intimate outdoor dinner at a long candlelit table decorated with flowers and string lights under the evening sky.
Woman in a cream coat and taupe scarf smiles while seated at a beautifully set wedding reception table with candles and elegant place settings.
Two women, one in a white dress and the other in a light yellow dress, sit close together smiling as someone takes their photo at an outdoor candlelit wedding reception.
Black and white photo of a bride in a white dress smiling and leaning close to the groom with curly hair and a beard, sharing a tender moment during their wedding reception surrounded by guests.
Bride in a white dress and groom in a beige suit standing hand in hand, smiling and addressing guests during an outdoor nighttime wedding reception under string lights.
Smiling bride in a sleeveless white gown and groom in a light-colored suit holding hands and speaking during an intimate outdoor wedding reception at night.
Bride and groom laughing joyfully with friends around a candlelit outdoor dinner table during an intimate nighttime wedding celebration.
Bride and groom cutting a small blue wedding cake topped with white flowers during an intimate outdoor nighttime reception.
Bride and groom cut into their small blue wedding cake adorned with white flowers during an intimate nighttime celebration.
Bride and groom share a kiss while cutting their small blue wedding cake topped with white flowers during an intimate nighttime celebration.

Interested in a Backyard Elopement?

A picture of the photographer, Megan W Photography, holding a Nikon mirrorless camera while standing in front of the ocean on a foggy day.
 

About Megan W Photography

Megan is a Fine Art Maternity, Couples, and Family photographer who was born, raised, and is still living in Malibu, CA. She is here to capture you and your loved ones in images that you will want to cherish, and pass down to future generations.

Not only is she a photographer, but she is a mother, wife, daughter, and sister.

Maternity, family, and couples hold a special place in her heart because she knows how quickly time flies by. Megan W Photography wants to help you preserve those sweet little smiles, those tender, affectionate moments, and the love you share with each other.

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The image shows the photographer, Megan W Photography, standing in front of the ocean on a cloudy day. She is holding a Nikon mirrorless camera and smiling.

Hi! I’m Megan

I’m a luxury, Malibu, CA based photographer who specializes in Maternity, Couples, and families. I serve Los Angeles and Ventura County, as well as all of California. I value tangible, heirloom art pieces versus digital and I focus on quality over quantity.

Megan Moore https://meganwphotography.org
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