By now you all know that we had our wedding right here at Casa Petersik, but we actually booked a real venue right after we got engaged (before we ever laid eyes on our brick ranch). Of course as soon as we saw our future home we desperately begged for our deposit back (since it was still over a year in advance) and the venue generously handed back every last cent. We were super excited to take on an at-home wedding (you know we love a good DIY project) but we must admit that our first planned wedding location was pretty sweet too. So we stopped by two years later to take a walk down memory lane (and snag some photos to share with you guys). Without further ado we bring you the place where we almost got married: Stony Point School.
It’s a lovely little private school housed in a historic tudor mansion complete with amazing herringbone-patterned bricks, a slate roof and even a charming little breezeway.
Around back, just beyond that sweet little breezeway is a gorgeous green expanse of lush lawn to accommodate an outdoor ceremony, a tented reception, a patio for a swanky little cocktail hour and even some charming old brick walkways and other delicious details that had us at hello.
Here’s one of those sweet brick walkways that leads from the patio area down to the grassy lawn.
And look at this amazing brick archway covered in creeping ivy. Can you imagine the wedding pictures we could have taken with this backdrop?
Probably the most magical feature was this tree-lined path that ran parallel to the lush lawn. We pictured setting up a few “attractions” in this area just left of the reception tent (maybe our photo clothesline and a yellow & green themed candy bar could have made an appearance?).
And just look at this brick & slate birdhouse atop one of the brick walls that ran along the side of the yard. Have you ever seen such fabulous digs for a bird? It was details like this that made us fall fast and hard for this one-of-a-kind location.
Here’s another spot that would have been a killer photo backdrop. Who wouldn’t want to pose in front of that iron ivy-riddled gate? So green and gorgeous!
And here’s that amazing tree-lined path from the other direction. This really was our favorite feature of the entire venue. See that light steaming through the trees? It really is a magical little spot.
But even without the brick birdhouse and the rest of the amazing private school scenery, we still think our backyard wedding was the bee’s knees (and of course we saved some money by having it at home instead):
Everything happens for a reason, right? And maybe sharing this little Stony Point School shout-out will help a few engaged locals find the wedding location of their dreams!
What about you guys. Any almost-wedding locations that you pulled out of way ahead of time (or just days before?). Is there anyone else who has considered getting married at a school or a private home? Do tell.
p.s. Remember our BIIIIIIG ANNOUNCEMENT? Well, we’re dropping the bomb no later than Monday so stay tuned…
Lauren says
Hey there!
First off, your wedding was GORGEOUS! I just got engaged, and am trying to plan my own backyard wedding for under $5000. I was a little worried about pulling off the reception part, BUT you’ve totally inspired me! I guess the main thing I wanted to know is if you all had a backup plan in case of bad weather? Maybe a tent on reserve or a plan to bring everyone inside? I’m just looking for a budget-friendly idea that will work, just in case. Any help you can provide would be appreciated! Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, our summers are actually super dry out here so we didn’t worry too much but we did plan to check the 10-day forecast. If rain was predicted, we planned to either rent a huge tent or move the whole group to a restaurant at the last minute (which would have cost a lot more but if it was raining too hard a tent would hardly cut it). Luckily the forecast was clear!
xo,
s
Bethany says
I am a big fan of your website! Love all the great ideas you have provided. Your wedding looked great! Looking at having a wedding in my backyard, but am concerned about parking. Not sure where everyone is going to park. Since you had your wedding at your house, what did you do about parking for all of your guest. Thanks for your help!
YoungHouseLove says
We just used curbside parking (many of our 70-ish guests came at least 2-3 people per car). So there were only about 25-30 cards.
xo,
s
Julie says
Thank you so much for putting all of this on the web! I can’t tell you how helpful it has been. Kyle and I have been looking for venues in Colorado for over a month now and nothing fits our personality. At a family birthday party last week, I was noticing how beautiful my parent’s backyard is when I realized that it would be perfect for a wedding! I didn’t really know if it was truly doable until I found your page! We are both completely in love with the idea now! Thank you so much!
How was the bathroom situation? Any complaints from anyone? Did you serve any alcohol?
YoungHouseLove says
We have two bathrooms in our house that we allowed people to use throughout the evening and that seemed to work out really well. And we served white and red wine (purchased in bulk from a local wine outlet). Good luck with your wedding!
xo,
s
becky says
We are just days away from our 80 people, backyard reception,(we are already married) and well being an ‘over-thinker’ I was wondering how much soda, water you bought for your guests? And how much ice? Did you just place all of the water and soda etc in buckets with the ice and let it be? Or did you have to keep refilling it?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Becky,
We hardly remember the details (sadly) but I think we calculated it out per person (assuming each guest would drink a glass of wine, a glass of water, and a glass or soda or sweet tea). It was some basic math and we ended up with more than enough. As for keeping things cool, we just used ice in the tubs where the soda bottles sat and our “refillers” (the people who we designated to run inside and refill the wine bottles on the table with water and sweet tea) added ice to those bottles each time they refilled them. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Maureen says
Just taking a sweet little walk down YHL memory lane. Sherry, out of curiosity, what was your the initial pick for your wedding dress like? Just wondering if it was similar to the adorably chic number you donned on the big day!
YoungHouseLove says
It was kind of the opposite. Really boho and sort of layered. It reminded me of Sienna Miller when she was doing the whole layers of lace thing. I loved it, but I’m so glad I found “the one” at the last minute, because looking back it might have been dated (I love the timeless appeal of the dress I chose since it’s hard to go wrong with something simple and clean).
xo,
s
Paige says
How on earth did you narrow your guest list down to 70-something people?! My fiance’s MOTHER’s guest list for our wedding is already at 80 people!! And those are just HER invites! Lol – Please share any tips you may have! Thank you!
YoungHouseLove says
We were lucky that we were able to really cut down on friends (we have huge families and lots of “buddies” but we selected just really close friends who we’d invite to a huge party with lots of family members in the backyard… because that’s what our wedding was! So we didn’t invited 30 high school & college friends each (and everyone who didn’t come understood it was a small backyard gathering). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Laura says
Hi guys! If you don’t mind my asking, what was the general price range for renting out the stony point school? And who did you contact to begin the process? Can’t seem to find any information about hosting an event on their website! :-/ Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man that was so long ago I really don’t remember at all. Maybe around 2K just for the venue (not including food). As for who to contact I’m not sure. Maybe just google around for a main number there and call to inquire? Good luck!
xo,
s
Stephanie B says
Love your backyard wedding, but I also love the Stony Point School too. Being a new(ish) transplant, I had no idea that it even existed. Making a mental note since we have two daughters and two sons.. so far!
cate says
We are currently planning our wedding – ceremony in a par near by and reception in my parents’ backyard. Obviously I knew to look at your stunning wedding for some inspiration here n there.
Big question is – did you have any dancing? We are torn about it – we are not big dancers, and we can’t see too many people on our guest list being the dancing type. But a sentimental side of me would like a first dance with my husband. how did you guys handle that??
we are thinking of backyard games for entertainment – bag toss, croquet, horse shoes but worry our guests would think it’s strange to not dance??
thanks!!!
YoungHouseLove says
We had music playing on an ipod with some speakers hidden in the sunroom, etc – so it was nice to have music for ambiance, but our family isn’t really full of dancers either so we didn’t have a dance floor or any formal dancing :)
xo
s
Kristen Holmes says
My goodness, what a gorgeous, very special reception! How big is your yard? Everything looked so perfect. I am looking at alternatives for myself, because I am really not too sure about the idea of spending even a “smart budget” elegant wedding at $10,000. I mean, all of that for one day sounds outrageous to me, even if the average cost is $20,000, which I just cannot justify (hello, new house!). I think you guys made the best decision and you did an amazing job! Thanks for sharing!
YoungHouseLove says
I’m not really sure how big our yard is at all. I mean the property was almost an acre but so much of that was wooded so maybe the grassy area with the chairs was 50 ft by 50 ft? That’s a really rough guess though!
xo
s
Emily says
Love reading your blog. Thinking of doing a DIY backyard wedding, but worried about weather. What was your weather Plan B???
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Emily! We planned to check the forecast 10 days out and rent a tent or make other arrangements if rain was in the forecast. Thankfully it’s really dry in Richmond in the summer, so it was dry all week long and we didn’t have to worry or scramble to make secondary plans.
xo
s
Allison says
I love your Wedding…my fiance and I have been going back and forth between doing the food ourselves or hiring a caterer…can you elaborate on your experience and what was needed to do it on your own…how was the actual timeframe of cooking and eating? Did you rent plates/silverware? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s a giant page full of details for ya! https://www.younghouselove.com/wedding-album/
xo
s