Not too big and not too small, everything about this wedding day was the perfect size. From the bride getting ready in the quaint church parsonage to a reduced wedding party–everything fit just right. I feel that the smaller the wedding event, the more I’m able to document the sweetest and most tender moments. I’m grateful to have captured many of these instances starting with an intimate church wedding and closing at a backyard wedding reception.
Spots that Showcase What’s Meaningful to You
On your wedding day, it’s OK to move slowly. As we move through your wedding event timeline it’s easy to feel rushed. The day can pass by in a flash and there are moments that you may even miss fully experiencing. As your Ohio wedding photographer, I’m here to help prevent that!
One of my favorite ways to add to the slowness is through the inclusion of vintage Polaroids in your wedding photography package. These photos weave a slowness and tenderness into the day in a way that only analog photos can! I love capturing instances where I can disappear into the background. This allows me the ability to witness special touches such as Cassandra’s aunt doing the bride’s hair during the getting-ready portion of the day.
That’s why it’s also important to carefully select the intimate wedding locations that are most meaningful to the two of you. Matthew and Cassandra split their day into three parts starting with an intimate church wedding ceremony. It was a small country church in Butler, Ohio that had lovely windows, darling pews and a dated but vintage aesthetic. The simplicity matched the entire mood of the couple’s day.
From Portraits in the Outdoors to A Backyard Wedding Reception
Showcasing their great enjoyment of the outdoors, we took Matthew and Cassandra along with their wedding party for wedding portraits at the nearby Gatton Rocks. This was my favorite of the day’s locations, a wooded spot along the Clear Fork River between Bellville and Butler, Ohio. Many congregate here to enjoy the stunning rock formations along the creek that is great for jumping off of rocks, swimming and tanning.
Following these outdoor wedding adventures, we captured sunset bridal portraits along the grounds of their backyard wedding reception location. This backyard wedding venue was actually Cassandra’s grandparent’s working horse farm. A patio adjacent to the barn (that her grandpa built himself) was able to host their 150 friends and family present.
Choosing the farm highlighted the bride’s family heritage of being horse riders. During the couple’s bridal photography session the horses tried to steal the show! I rode horses growing up and seeing these beauties made me miss it more than I can say! Once I knew that a working horse farm was part of Cassandra and Matthew’s wedding day timeline, it made me grow in anticipation of this sweet time.
I just can’t get over this spot, this couple, those horses and the overall sweetness of the entire day. The grandparents’ farm was such an intimate setting and the inclusion of the horses made the photos beyond stunning. It was just an additional bonus that hosting their reception there saved on wedding costs too. It’s a location that would be sought after as an actual Ohio wedding venue.
A wedding at a small country church, followed by a reception at a family farm was truly such a lovely day to photograph!
If you’re in the beginning stages of your own backyard wedding reception, I would be delighted to hear more about your plans!
Wedding Vendors
Ceremony | North Bend Church
Photographer | Amy Smant Photography
Portraits | Gatton Rocks
Reception | Family Home
Dress | Kuhn’s Bridal
Cake | Kallie’s Konfections
Tux | Kennedy Blue
Catering | Road Hog Willy’s Real-Pit BBQ
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