Bridget and Griffin. A Montgomery County Backyard Wedding.

Oh man...this wedding. I've talked about it a good bit on social media, so I apologize if you already know the story but it's one that I really connected with so I am going to tell it again. 

I knew this was going to be a good one from the start.  I'm always drawn to backyard weddings as they are typically intimate and incredibly personal events that make for some really great storytelling.  I had this in the back of my head when I went to meet Bridget and Griffin for the first time at the home in Harleysville where the wedding would be held. I was going to scope the location out and get an idea of what we were going to be working with.  First, as soon as we all met I knew we were going to be a great fit.  Bridget and Griffin are the type of people who you instantly feel comfortable with, the conversation is never forced or awkward...it just flows as easily as it would if you had known them for years rather than just a few minutes.  It is always so refreshing when you have a connection with someone like that. 

We walked around the yard for a bit and talked about where the ceremony would be held and where the tent would be placed and then went inside for some coffee.  I then learned that Bridget's family had lived in this house for the past 30 or so years and that her parents had decided to sell the house shortly after the wedding...a decision that wasn't being taken lightly by Bridget or her sisters.  I immediately knew what they were feeling, having left a childhood home that was so deeply rooted in me, that left such a distinct mark on my childhood.  I know that not all homes have the ability to instill themselves in us like this...and it can be an incredibly powerful thing when it happens.  The home itself was beautiful, overflowing with historic character and was surrounded by a gorgeous property with a field, stream and an old barn...it was easy to see how one could fall in love with this place.

So I left that meeting knowing that there would be two distinct stories to document on this day.  The love of two people and their families coming together on one of the biggest days of their lives but also the final chapter at a house that was so much more than a home to Bridget and her family.  

So, the day arrives and it is wet...like, really really wet.  The rain started early and only broke for a few brief moments throughout the day.  All the plans that had been laid out over the months leading up to this day had to be changed.  The ceremony was moved into the barn at the last minute (which ended up being one of my favorite ceremony locations ever) and everyone grabbed umbrellas and rain boots and pretty much planned for the inevitable possibility that we were all going to be pretty soaked by the end.  I have to say, not once throughout the entire course of the day did I see one ounce of concern on anyone's face.  They embraced the weather with everything they had, rolled with it and proved that just because it rains on your wedding day doesn't mean that you can't still have an amazing event, have a wonderful time and get some awesome photos.  While I can't say that working with cameras in weather like this was particularly easy...I do think that it made for some pretty interesting moments and gave the entire day and really unique coziness that I like a lot...and looking back now, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way...except maybe that I need to invest in a much larger umbrella.   

I really really really loved shooting this wedding...so much.  The couple, their families and their love for each other and this place were all so real and genuine that I couldn't help but be sucked in.  I can only hope that I captured the day the way that they saw it and that I was able to do some justice to both of their stories. 

Bridget and Griffin, thank you so much for trusting me to document this day for you.  I wish you nothing but the absolute best together and hope that you and your children can one day have a home that means as much to you as this place does.

Also, I just wanted to extend a huge thank you to Amanda from  Diamonds and Details  for not only referring this wedding to me in the first place...but also for owning the rain and helping to keep everything organized and moving smoothly.