A Rustic DIY Backyard Wedding at a Private Residence in DeLand, Florida

Taylor Bass (24 and a chef) and Justin Bass (28 and a firefighter) grew up together in DeLand, Florida and started dating just before Taylor moved to New York for culinary school. Justin popped the question on what turned out to be a 3-month visit to New York. “It’s safe to say that we met in a small town and fell in love in a huge city,” says Taylor. The couple worked with Events by Meg over the next 11 months to plan a rustic backyard wedding filled with pink and gray DIY accents. “We both love to be outdoors and love doing DIY projects,” says Taylor. Taylor and Justin accented their ceremony Taylor’s parent’s home with simple wooden folding chairs as well as low white hydrangea and pink rose arrangements made by the bridal party. The couple said “I do” under a lush baby’s breath covered arbor made by the groom before their 205 guests moved into the side yard for a cocktail hour. In the backyard, string lighting and lanterns were hung overhead as each family-style or round table was accented with wooden chairs, silver candelabras and low arrangements of white hydrangea, baby’s breath, and pink roses. Rather than a formal dinner, all enjoyed salad, tacos and barbecue from two food trucks. Taylor and Justin then treated their guests to a variety of pies, two single-tier cakes, a two tier naked wedding cake covered with strawberries and roses and another naked cake for dessert. For future couples, Taylor shares: “Do as much as you can yourself. It makes the wedding that much more special and also saves some money!”