Rustic Backyard Wedding | Seymour Wedding Photographer

August 18, 2020

With the statewide mask mandate, cutting down on guest lists, and potential cancelations or reschedules, weddings are not easy these days. Needless to say, we here at Sara June feel that tightness in our chests just as much you do. Despite these challenges, weddings are still happening (thank goodness!), and every bride and groom deserves their special day. Angela and Sam made the best of their COVID reschedule, turning their wedding day into a lively celebration to remember!

Originally planning a church ceremony and reception to follow, Angela and Sam quickly found out their large group of family and friends would not be able to follow the guidelines and restrictions put in place by the church. Shifting gears, Angela and Sam knew the perfect place to say I do: Sam’s parents’ house in Seymour. Highlander cows, chickens, and even peacocks included, the giant piece of land would work perfectly for a gorgeous ceremony.

Less than two weeks before their wedding, the pandemic threw another curveball for the health of their guests: the mask mandate. Angela and Sam’s first concern was for all of their guests’ health but they wanted to see the faces of their friends and family as well. They decided to cancel their reception at Eddie Whipps, and opted for a grand party after the ceremony all in one location: Sam’s parents’ beautiful yard. Everyone would have the opportunity to spread out on the property, staying safe and wearing a mask if they choose. Being outside with family and friends was perfect for Angela and Sam’s love of camping and the outdoors.

Utilizing their family’s land, Angela and Sam set to work making this the coziest, rustic-chic outdoor wedding full of fun and of course love. They had a ton of help before and during the wedding. Their parents are very sweet and set to work putting up several large tents and setting all the little details into place. Gorgeous flowers decorated the space, bringing pops of color from Green Bay Floral. A close friend took a pig to market the week of their wedding and had it roasted and ready to go for the festivities on Saturday (delicious!). Their friend, Ashley, took care of everything the day-of, making sure the big day went smoothly and any little fires were quickly put out. Angela, who is a phenomenal baker, made her own two-layered gorgeous cake with their favorite flavors as each layer: almond and pumpkin. The cake was topped with a giant loop of flowers and a Mr. and Mrs. Leisgang cake topper.

It was a really fun day! Stormy, cold, and absolutely pouring (just a yucky morning all together) turned into a clear, dry afternoon for their quick ceremony. The bridesmaids wore stunning David’s Bridal peony colored dresses. The groomsmen looked handsome and Sam was really dashing in his Du Bois suit. His mother placed his boutonniere herself, making for a very sweet pre-wedding moment. Sam finished off his look with wrestling shoes saying, “Just Married” on his heels—his incredibly cute idea!

Sam saw Angela for the first time in her dress from Tie the Knot when she walked down the aisle, and immediately teared up with all the emotion of the day. Angela was chic and elegant as she walked under the tent and into her unplugged wedding ceremony. All of the outfits perfectly complemented their rustic hexagon arch backdrop. There wasn’t a single dry eye in the audience. Even the chickens from the hobby farm were full of emotion!

Moving the beautiful arch with us, we took stunning family photos in the grassy area beyond the tent after the ceremony. The sky was blue by that point and couldn’t have made for a lovelier session of photos. I brought Angela and Sam by the Highlander cows for more photos, full of sweet kisses and smiles. We even took photos with best bus Stormy (the horse) and Wally (the goat).

Right before dinner, we played the “Mission Impossible Photo Game,” speeding around each table so everyone could get a picture with the bride and groom. Angela and Sam plan to use these photos for thank you cards! Dinner included pulled pork with barbeque sauce, as well as deep-fried chicken, mac n’ cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes, and coleslaw brought in by Isaar Inn. Guests played a giant dice game to see Angela and Sam kiss, matching their love for board games and friendly competition.

Before the dancing began, the entire wedding party changed for the grand march: the bridesmaids coming out in aprons to embody Angela’s baking business and the groomsmen proudly donning skin-tight spandex wrestling uniforms to honor Sam’s wrestling career and coaching. It was hilarious and so fun!

Ending the night with epic sunset photos, Sam and Angela cozied up as we played with Angela’s five-pound bag of sprinkles! Tossing the glittery pieces into the air and drizzling them in front of my camera lens created such a dramatic effect of celebration and fun. Check out all the rustic-chic details in these pictures from the day!