“You are loved just for being who you are, just for existing. You don't have to do anything to earn it.” — Ram Dass
An Intimate Minneapolis Backyard Wedding: Documentary Photography at Lyndale & Lake
Hola Almitas Bellas!
After 17 years as a Minneapolis wedding photographer, I thought I had seen it all. In an industry where itineraries can sometimes feel cut-and-paste, you learn to expect a certain rhythm. Then came Debra and Colin.
During our initial consultation, they emphasized how laid-back their wedding day would be. As a highly detail-oriented photographer, my internal reaction was an affectionate, "Yeah, right."
But when I tell you this was THE most laid-back wedding I have ever captured in my career, believe me. It truly was.
The Non-Traditional Wedding Timeline
"We really just want photos of our family and friends hanging out. Nothing crazy," they mentioned more than once.
Even for a candid celebration, my approach is always to build a solid wedding day timeline. We mapped out the important moments they wanted captured outside of the obvious ceremony shots.
As a documentary wedding photographer, three specific photo requests had me jumping for joy:
- A portrait in front of their home.
- A photo in front of the local neighborhood murals.
- A portrait inside a city bus stop shelter at Lyndale Avenue and Lake Street.
That last one almost had me cashing in my life insurance policy. More on that in a moment.
A Whimsical Backyard Ceremony & Handfasting
Debra and Colin celebrated their wedding in their own backyard, surrounded by their closest friends and family members. Their handwritten wedding vows were incredibly genuine.
During the vows, Debra mentioned how Colin excels at making people feel truly seen and heard. I can attest to that personally. Colin stands at 6'something, and he gives you his absolute, undivided attention when he speaks to you.
As a photographer who is 5'nothing (and shrinking!), I am usually the shortest person in any room. Yet, I didn't feel my height at all. I felt completely seen and safe.
The sweet, intimate ceremony was officiated by Colin’s brother. It featured a touching moment where their kids sang them a song, followed by a traditional wedding handfasting ceremony.
While many wedding ceremonies carry a heavy gravitas, this one felt:
- Whimsical
- Witty
- Heartfelt
- Genuine
- Intimate
- Joyous
The quiet moments were punctuated by tears and sniffles, which quickly transitioned into chuckles, giggles, and full-blown belly laughs. It was the absolute soul of the day.
Urban Couple Portraits in Downtown Minneapolis
My dear friend Anna Silverthorn from Silverthorn Photography came along to second shoot. Beyond helping with lighting equipment, she served as my designated safety coordinator.
Because I have no sense of depth perception, Anna literally kept me from getting hit by a city bus during our stroll through downtown Minneapolis! Navigating traffic at Lyndale and Lake was an adventure, but the results were entirely worth it.
As we walked the city streets, complete strangers greeted and congratulated the couple. They looked stunning against the urban backdrop:
- The Bride: Debra wore a gorgeous, flowing gown perfect for the summer heat.
- The Groom: Colin wore a dapper velvet suit with black trim.
The dichotomy of their elegant wedding finery against the gritty, texturized urban cityscape was a sight to behold. We wrapped up the session with snapshots of them escaping to their reception site in a vintage Cadillac getaway car provided by a friend.
Why I Love Documentary Wedding Photography
If I could fill my calendar with short, intimate wedding days focused on documentary-style storytelling over rigid posing, I would be in heaven. I don't mind the posing as some couples genuinely need and appreciate it. But, sometimes the Fly-on-the-wall approach can be more effective in documenting the day as it naturally occurs.
We focused entirely on quality over quantity, capturing authentic moments exactly as they unfolded naturally. This beautiful day was the quiet beginning before the hectic storm of our summer wedding season. Oh, what a start it was!
Thank you so much, Debra and Colin, for trusting me with your incredible memories.
If you are planning an intimate, backyard, or non-traditional Minneapolis wedding and want your day captured authentically, I would love to chat. Send me a message! Feel free to follow me on tiktok and instagram for more inspo as well as to see our BTS of REAL weddings and events.
