Carlie + Joe’s Moody Fall Backyard Wedding
Carlie and Joe opted for a backyard wedding, and the rustic wedding details were out in full force. This moody, romantic fall wedding was everything they envisioned, including tons of love and laughter with family and friends, plus all the small touches that made it such a special day.
When we arrived for the wedding, Carlie and her bridal party were inside getting ready. The joy and anticipation were plentiful, especially for their daughter, who couldn’t wait to see her parents get married. Joe and his crew sauntered in shortly before the ceremony, just in time to crack open some beers and have Joe’s mom pin on the boutonnieres.
The ceremony took place overlooking the pond, with a wall of trees on the other side creating a beautiful backdrop. The space was decorated with dried floral arrangements and adorable rattan chairs. The pond was calm enough to see the reflection of the entire ceremony from the other side, and I love how those photos turned out! The sun was peaking over the top of the trees, which just accentuated the magical feel of the wedding.
Carlie and Joe did a wine unity ceremony, where they mixed together two carafes of wine and took a drink. Ever the wine conservationist, Joe went ahead and chugged the rest of the glass, which made everybody laugh. Right after their first kiss, they invited their daughter up and Joe presented her with a necklace. It was such a sweet moment and one I know they’ll remember forever!
The wedding party took a moment after the ceremony to share a bottle of champagne, but not before Carlie shook it up and sprayed it all over in celebration. We spent some time grabbing family photos, then got ready for the reception.
Carlie and Joe shared their first dance, then invited the rest of the wedding party to join them. I love that they opted for a clear tent for the reception. It let in so much light and meant I didn’t have to break out my flash until later in the evening! All the guests enjoyed a delicious dinner, then we did speeches and parent dances, followed by the shoe game. The reception included dancing, a cake cutting, and bouquet toss. One of my favorite moments was when Carlie jumped behind the bar to mix some drinks for her guests. She’s a total natural!
It was such a fun night overall, and a great setting for a backyard wedding. Thank you, Carlie and Joe, for having me, and I wish your marriage the absolute best!
Catering: Kristen’s Catering
Bar: Nikki’s Mobile Bartending
DJ: DJ Bandit
Dress: Lulus
Hair: Hair by Natasha
