Kate and Jordan met on the Appalachian Trail. So when it came time to plan their wedding, a ballroom was never really in the mix.
They had a heartfelt backyard wedding on Kate’s parents’ farm in the Shenandoah Valley, just outside the National Park, on a clear October afternoon with the Blue Ridge rolling out behind them. The ceremony arch standing in the grove? They built it. The clearing where they said their vows? They cleared it themselves. The officiant was a close friend. Every element of the day had a hand in it — literally, in most cases — and that showed from the first moment to the last.
The details that made this day what it was weren’t sourced from a wedding planning guide. They came from paying attention to their own story and trusting that it was enough. It was more than enough.
Getting Ready on the Farm
Both spent the morning getting ready in different parts of the house where Kate grew up. Kate was having a relaxed morning popping champagne and playing cards on the living room couch, while Jordan was getting ready and playing pool with his friends.
Before the first look with Jordan, Kate shared separate moments with her brothers and then her dad. Then it was time for them to see each other for the first time. Kate and Jordan also chose to exchange private vows before the ceremony. This gave them time to settle into the day together before everything unfolded around them.
Most of the portraits happened before the ceremony, which gave us the afternoon light and the luxury of time. We moved through the farm and out to the overlook, where a field of flowers still bloomed against the ridgeline. The Shenandoah Valley spread out in every direction. October in this part of Virginia is truly something else.
The Backyard Wedding Ceremony
The grove they’d cleared sits a short walk from the main house, close enough that guests could hear the laughter from lawn games and pre-ceremony drinks before they settled into their seats. The wooden arch framed the ceremony against a backdrop of tall trees in full fall color.
Kate’s dad drove her to the ceremony in his vintage car, and both her parents walked her down the aisle. Their ceremony was sweet and emotional, with their close friend officiating and Kate’s older brother giving a reading. There was no dry eye in sight!
For their ceremony exit, their guests showered them with flower petals handed out by the flower guys ahead of the ceremony. Every moment of this day was full of love and so much joy!
Cocktail Hour & Reception Under the Tent
After the ceremony, the guests gathered under the elegant tent. As the sun dipped behind the hills, the warm glow inside contrasted softly with the cool blue of the evening sky settling over the fields.
Long tables stretched across the space, lined with candles, fall florals, and wine bottles brought out for guests to share. Speeches wove humor with nostalgia. Kate and Jordan sat side by side, leaning into one another as stories sparked laughter across the tent.
It didn’t take long before jackets came off, sunglasses appeared, and the tent lights flickered across a packed, joyful crowd ready to dance the night away.
Testimonial
“My husband and I worked with Lindsay and Greg for both our engagement photos and our wedding photos, and cannot say enough good things! As people who are *not* models or familiar being photographed, we were nervous about how things would turn out, and Lindsay and Greg made it incredibly easy and natural. They went out of their way to get to know us beforehand and put us at ease, which certainly came through in our engagement pictures!
We knew we wanted wedding photos that felt candid and captured the day itself as opposed to a ton of posed portraits, and they did a spectacular job helping bring our vision to life. All of our friends and family who have seen our photos have remarked that they are joyful and bring them back to our wedding day–exactly as we’d hoped!!
In addition to being great at their job, they are really lovely people to work with and were a very calming presence on our chaotic wedding day! Highly recommend for anyone looking for a photographer for their special day!”
Planning Your Own Backyard Wedding in Virginia?
If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels personal and reflective of your story, I’d love to help you document it. Hi, I’m Lindsay, and I’m a wedding photographer based in Virginia. My approach centers on atmosphere, connection, and the small moments that shape a day. Reach out and let’s plan your wedding day together!
