Backyard Wedding – Fairview Oregon

Alex & Alexa’s backyard wedding at her parents home in Fairview, Oregon was what we like to call “right up our alley”. Even if you have 100 guests in your backyard for a wedding, it somehow still feels intimate like a family affair. Which is exactly how Daniel felt during the entire day he spent with this fun loving and laid back couple. I (Lindsay) hate when I miss out on these low key fun weddings! But alas, sometimes we do shoot separately and in this case, Daniel was the one for the job. He began by photographing Alex and Alexa (ok let’s get it out of the way, they have the cutest almost identical names!) getting ready with their best friends and family in private homes. Alexa was a classic, throwback to the old elegance of weddings, type of bride. She wore a long sleeved lace dress with a perfectly simple yet beautiful flower crown. Alexa could do the half smile, half sultry look at the camera like no other. She feels like an old soul, and Alex is her perfect counterpart.

Alex’s smile lights up his whole face and of course, on the day he was going to marry Alexa, he was caught smiling wide in a whole bunch of photos. Alex also dressed the part in a blue understated suit, which paired so well with Alexa’s elegance.

Alex and Alexa exchanged vows in her parent’s backyard. I don’t know what your parents backyard looks like but it just so happens that Alexa’s parents live in a stunning lakeside community. The ceremony was just like the couple themselves, so sweet and so full of laughter.  Afterwards, Daniel, Alex and Alexa ventured to a nearby park in Interlochen (a small hidden gem of a community in NE Portland) for portraits and Alex had a little surprise for Alexa. These two share a love of mixology and cocktails so it was a fun and completely natural surprise that Alex brought a cocktail shaker, two glasses and all the fixings for their favorite drink. There he stood on a bridge in a beautifully lush garden area, mixing drinks and making Alexa laugh and smile. They poured a drink for Daniel and went on to take some romantic garden portraits.

Back at the wedding reception, speeches, dancing and enjoyment between the couple and their guests got underway. Any wedding vendor can attest that this is where your wedding starts to fly by. All the waiting builds up a flurry of an evening and pretty soon you are sad that it’s over. Alex and Alexa’s wedding was probably no exception, but I must say, this wedding was less like a traditional wedding where you just checked off the events and more like a backyard summer BBQ. The kind where you linger for hours, not noticing how many times you filled your glass of rosé and not once checking the time or worrying about what is happening next.

Everyone was just so relaxed and happy at this wedding. Imagine donning your best summer clothes, grabbing a drink, listening to music and chatting with all your favorite people while overlooking a lake in the summertime. It’s magic right? Yet in this scenario, two of the people you love most are also getting married. Like I said, magical.

Thank you Alex & Alexa (A squared? ;) ) for inviting us into the dreamiest and most fun backyard party we could possibly imagine. Congratulations once more!