Michelle & Matt Intimate Backyard Wedding
Michelle and Matt dreamed about an intimate backyard wedding to celebrate their union. If you know me, you know I cry at all my couples’ wedding. I just hide behind my camera but I happened to sob a couple of times at Michelle and Matt’s wedding. When Michelle walked down the aisle at her Father’s arm, when the couple exchanged their authentic and heartfelt vows, during the toasts when the Best Man talked about love and marriage. It happened that the Best Man was… The Groom’s brother and also… My husband!… Yes, I should mention that this wedding was especially emotional for me, because I was photographing my brother-in-law finally marrying the love of his life!
Matt’s parents hosted the ceremony and the reception in their backyard in Orange, California. The couple invited a handful of their best friends and close family members to witness their “I do” and party with them. It was important for them to mix both of their parents’s cultures into the decor and during the day.
Michelle was wearing a beautiful white dress and a set of peal necklace and earrings, and was honoring her Taiwanese heritage by wearing a jade bracelet. She also changed into her Aunt’s traditional outfit, a superbe red jacket and skirt embroidered with gold dragons, before cutting the cake and to dance the night away. Another homage to the Michelle’s Taiwanese side of the family was the green lanterns hanging from the patio ceiling. The decors was a perfect mix of traditional American wedding and Taiwanese. These little details made their day at their image, so special!
Michelle got ready with her best friend Stephanie and her Mom, while Matt put on the last bit of his outfit with his brother, his Dad and Michelle’s brother. They were both anxiously waiting to reveal themself to each other during a first look.
We decided to do their first look in front of their incredibly beautiful altar, a wooden triangular arch, filled with peach, cream and old pink roses and greenery, created by La Boheme Botanicals. The green background made the photos look like they were taken in an enchanted forest rather than in a backyard! Don’t you think? Matt was so touched by the beauty of his wife, I might have captured one or two tears… Look closely!
We then took a couple of beautiful portraits of them and all their close family photos as it was important for them to have enough time to enjoy the cocktail hour with their guests after the ceremony.
Even if Matt already saw Michelle a little while ago, he was still emotional when Michelle walked down the aisle with her father. After exchanging their vows, their rings and a kiss, their friend officiant who was wearing his traditional Scottish kilt, announced them as newly wed and the guests popped their confetti. It was magical to see them walk out the aisle under this cloud of pink. It felt like their family was showering them with love!
After the last family portraits, we then drove to the neighborhood park to capture some sunset portraits. I have one word for these photos: stunning! After a couple of poses in the golden light, it was time to come back and get some cocktails and food. Well deserved!
The reception dinner was filled with toasts from both Dads, Matt’s brother and Michelle’s best friend, good food and wine. The couple danced slowly together for the first time in front of everybody and with their parents. This part is always touching me as there is so much love in the Mom or Dad’s eyes and even the most emotionally-secretive parents can get teary at this time!
The night ended with the cut of the cake, a bouquet toss and of course, the best dance floor you could imagine as Good Mood was djing!
Fabulous Vendors Team:
Photography: La Petite Photo @lapetitephoto.la
Dj : Good Mood @thisisgoodmood
Florals: La Boheme Botanicals @laboheme_botanicals
Cake: @Vanessssa_renee
Graze boxes boards Elysian Eats @Elysian.eats
Cookies @Extremelyogini
Rentals: Big Tent Rentals
