Rustic Elegant DIY Backyard Wedding {S&J}

family first. but then we dance.

This wedding was joy. Pure and simple. They say it takes a village and when the village is like family, they show up, and then some. From the DIY decor (vintage and burlap and chandeliers in trees, twinkle lights, mason jars and wildflower table settings), to the homemade southern buffet (BBQ, corn bread, beans, corn salad, mashed potatoes that were AHmayzing, watermelon and did I mention dessert? Homemade peach pies that tasted as good as they looked and banana pudding that was melt in your mouth); start to finish this wedding was fueled by family and inspired by love.

The dance floor was hand-laid, custom made for the outdoor wedding, and when dinner was over, the foot-stomping, boot-wearing guests were led in line dance after line dance by two instructors brought in just for that purpose. As the lights twinkled and the house watched, the guests smiled and laughed and celebrated and loved on behalf of Laura and Josh. And then they packed it all up as quickly as they had set it up, and the quiet descended as another happily ever after began.

On a side note, I’ve spent a lot of my time honing my photography skills by working with other photographers – from being mentored in my early days, to second shooting weddings (which is how I learned). And even as a full time professional, there’s never a time I don’t jump at the chance to second shoot when I still can. Because I love connecting to and working with other professionals (guaranteed I’ll learn something) but also because there’s something beautiful for me in taking a back seat to a wedding and just having the chance to be the shadow that catches the moments in-between moments. This was one of those chances. When Mike Reed Photography out of Austin Texas contacted me (thank you google search) to see if I was interested in helping him with his Tucson wedding for an Austin couple, I happened to be available and readily agreed. And I was inspired by the day. So thanks, Mike, for finding me and trusting me to help capture this beautiful wedding.