What I love most about my job, getting to photograph weddings, is not even the actual “wedding,” but getting to capture the beauty and commitment of a marriage. I think it’s really common for us to get caught up in the wedding, focusing more on details, decorations, music, food, invitations, the set up, the dress, etc…. that sometimes, in the midst of the chaos and stress, we forget what it’s truly all about: Marriage. Vowing together, forming a union, and committing yourself and your faithfulness to the person you love. I always tell my brides that, “things will go wrong.” Because really, they will. At my own wedding, one of my bridesmaids broke her zipper, another one of my bridesmaids burnt her arm while trying to help set up food (badly, too), my photographer was 40 minutes late, it rained all day, up until moments before we walked down the aisle, and I’m sure SO much more than my friends and family spared to tell me. But here we are, a few years later, and those are all just memories that make up our day. When I think back on our wedding day, I remember cracking up as each bridesmaid tried to fix my girlfriend’s zipper and making jokes about the situation, I remember that those same serving platters that burnt my friend, are the ones my husband’s late grandfather used in his catering business, and I remember feeling so blessed when the clouds parted and the rain stopped. I felt like God had heard all my prayers and it made the day that much more beautiful. And you know what, at the end of the day, I got in my car with my best friend, and we drove away a MARRIED couple. It didn’t matter what went wrong, because I married the man I was going to spend my life with.
So, what’s the point of all of that? Well, the point is, the wedding isn’t meant to be a show or a performance. Weddings are beautiful and amazing, and meant to be a joyful celebration of love, but to some, those things really don’t matter as long as they get to marry the person they love. And thus, I introduce you to Evan and Emma.
Emma emailed me inquiring about an elopement style back yard wedding. She told me they were getting married in their officiant’s back yard, with only their parents to witness. It would be on a Friday afternoon, and the two of them would be leaving immediately for a central Oregon getaway. Evan and Emma are both strong Christians, and wanted a “wedding” more focused on their faith and commitment, than anything else. As a photographer, a Christian, and a person enamored by love, I was so humbled and grateful that she had asked me to capture this intimate ceremony. It was so refreshing and beautiful, to see two people, madly in love, so genuinely focused on each other and God, vowing their love to one another. If I said I didn’t cry, I would be lying.
Emma’s sister, Joanna, is also co-owner of Good Seed Floral, and so she made a really special bouquet for the ceremony (as well as bouquets surrounding the backyard set up).
Everything about this wedding was perfect. I left feeling overwhelmed with happiness and joy. It was such a beautiful experience, and I can never really express how thankful I feel to have been a part of it.
Dress // The White Dress
PS. To celebrate their marriage, Evan and Emma are having a fun reception next month, and I can’t wait to photograph that as well!
Intimate Backyard Wedding // Elopement // Eugene, Oregon // Good Seed Floral // Monique Serra Photography