Guest Count: 11
Location: Residence at Lake Wauconda
Katie & Tyler are those type of clients / human beings that I clicked with from our very first meeting over beers and have just been the most wonderful people to work with since. They were my first 2020 couple to keep me on board to document their entire wedding day despite so many changes due to the pandemic.
Also if I can just brag about how amazing these two are for another minute: they donated their catering deposit to Ravenswood Community Services to help provide meals and groceries to neighbors in need.
They were originally supposed to have a full sized wedding at the Joinery but opted to have a small wedding officiated by friends at Tyler’s parent’s home.
Katie and Tyler had their immediate family and closest friends get tested so that they could safely celebrate together. Their day started with a chill brunch in the front yard. From the get-go their laid back plans felt so perfect for them as a couple.
Even pre-pandemic, it was my favorite thing when couples get ready at home. It just creates a much more relaxed and comfortable environment. Katie got ready with her bff and parents in Tyler’s parent’s master bedroom. Some of these moments are my absolute favorites from the day.
I always tell couples that I’ll never tell them what to do on their wedding day. It’s your day - do you! That being said, I lovvvvvve a first look. Even for a very intimate wedding ceremony, it’s just so special for the almost newly weds to have that quiet moment together before the ceremony.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m a sucker for a small wedding. Especially a small ceremony. Let’s face it, your close family and friends are generally the people most engaged with your ceremony already so the energy of small weddings is just full of so much love.
After their short and sweet ceremony in the yard we walked around the neighborhood for some quick portraits.
Mini and micro weddings present some new scheduling options. For instance what do you do instead of a big cocktail hour or dancing? Well, that’s totally up to you!
Katie and Tyler’s families surprised them with some gifts and videos from friends and family who couldn’t be a part of their wedding day. A difficult thing to photograph but a wonderful thing to witness.
The best part of an at home wedding for some of you is that you have the option to: CHANGE INTO MORE COMFORTABLE CLOTHES!!!
I mean we all love a fancy get up but August in the midwest can be sticky and when your next big plans include yard games, comfy clothes is the way to go!
I love a wardrobe change, after lawn games everyone changed into something a bit more formal but still on the causal side for dinner. Before pizzas and salads were delivered, Katie’s best friend and Maid of Honor gave a toast. Followed up by Tyler’s brother and Best Man. Toasts were wrapped up by Katie’s dad who gave a real show stopper that honestly made me tear up as usual. Toast reactions are one of my favorite things to capture.
Just because it’s a small group doesn’t mean that you can’t have first dances. Katie and Tyler danced together on the patio, followed up by a father daughter and mother son dance!
Another sweet part of the small, at home wedding: homemade wedding cakes made with love by your mom.
Finally another thing to add to the list of ‘what to do instead of dancing’ is cigars! Personally, I’m not a cigar fan but I feel like people always love having nice cigars as a way to celebrate!
And that’s it! I headed back to the city and so did Katie and Tyler. They spent their wedding night at The Robey Hotel and then hit the road for a honeymoon road trip out west! I seriously have so much love and appreciation for this couple!
If you are ever looking for advice on how to throw a low key backyard wedding never hesitate to reach out!
