I just couldn’t wait to share this sweet couple’s unique wedding story with you! Rachel and Jim were married in the loveliest backyard ceremony yesterday. But this was not just an ordinary backyard ceremony – everything was done with such intentionality and heart! You could see the love and support for these two in every single detail of their day. Rachel and Jim are a little unconventional in the most beautiful way possible, and I had a wonderful time capturing their personality as a couple. It’s safe to say they were meant to be!

Surrounded by Love

Rachel and Jim are Jewish, and although they opted for an outdoor ceremony, they honored many of the Jewish wedding traditions. But instead of having vendors put together their wedding day, their friends and family helped them orchestrate and design every piece of it. In lieu of musicians, their friends and family sang as they walked down the aisle to stand under an heirloom chuppah that represented both families coming together to form their new home. It was such a unique experience, and it gave me goosebumps to hear all of their voices together. As everyone in attendance crowed in to give the couple their blessings on a long and happy life together, you could feel the love rising in the fall breeze. It was a perfect day.

Their aunt gifted them with a beautiful ketubah based on the same design that both the bride’s mother and grandmother used. Watching them sign it was so touching – a legacy passed down. After exchanging intimate vows, seven blessings were read by seven guests. And of course, they concluded the ceremony with the glass breaking. It was incredible to see the deep symbolism showcased in these special traditions.

After the ceremony, they all gathered under a tent for a lively reception. It was refreshingly chilly on their wedding day, but there certainly wasn’t a shortage of warmth during the celebration. My favorite thing about shooting this wedding was capturing all of the genuine expressions throughout the day. Here’s a peek at their incredible day:

April Mae Creative is owned by April Thomason, based in Austin, Texas and available for travel worldwide. April is a full-time wedding photographer who loves travel adventures and her rescue dog Wilson – and is always up for a cocktail and a pizza! She believes that every love story is worth shouting from the rooftops and puts her entire heart and soul into every wedding she photographs and couple she works with. Her greatest hope is to create timeless photos full of emotion that show the love surrounding a couple on their wedding day and leave them with a legacy to pass down through generations.