When you plan a backyard wedding, you get to customize the day to your unique preferences, celebrate in a setting that has meaning to both you and your partner, and shed any pre-conceived expectations that may have come with a traditional venue (such as formal dances, speeches, etc). While you can do these things, guests often expect that backyard weddings will be a bit different… Which means you can do exactly what you want, and plan the event with a completely new level of intention. I can think of no better example of this than Ali and Alyson’s summer solstice wedding. Every corner of the day was light, breezy, and filled with thoughtfulness. I’ve never met a couple that was quite as intentional as these two brides, and I can genuinely say it was an honor to even know them.

Sweet, chic, and lowkey AF. Gabriella and Justin started with a rooftop first look at Kimpton Canary, walked to the courthouse for a few portraits, had a brief and beautiful ceremony on the lawn outside the courthouse, and then went back to the hotel to grab the real star of the show…. Bernie the standard poodle.

Their day was super relaxed, but also incredibly heartfelt. There was laughter, there were tears, there was a round of shotgunning beers…. All in all, the perfect tiny midwest wedding.