Last September I met up with Amy and Jeff who were married back home in Colorado but held a backyard wedding reception here in Ohio to celebrate their wedding with their loved ones.

Their reception was basically my dream reception.  Super casual with lots of friends, family, love and great food.  There was a tent set up along with a fire pit, tons of yard games and spots through the backyard set up for cozy chats.   It was just an absolute perfect night!  Picture a warm and cozy blanket and make it into an event and that was their reception!

Oak & Honey Events set up a lovely evening – enjoy the photos!

While everyone was finishing getting ready for the event I captured all the large and small details that were set up in Amy’s Mom’s gorgeous backyard in Kent.

There were signs leading everyone down to the backyard from the parking area off the street.

The whole backyard looked amazing!

Sweetwater Caravan was there and ready to go!  How fun is this? It’s such a great way to bring a mobile bar to an outdoor event!

There was a bonfire pit ready to go once the sun set.

This Connect 4 game was hopping all night long!  Huge hit!

Inside the tent the decorations were minimal but perfect for a backyard wedding.  I loved all of the wildflowers!

Everyone was ready so we took some informal family portraits beneath one of the beautiful trees near the pond before everyone arrived.  I started off with Amy and Jeff and their adorable son.

Of course we had to do a complete family portrait with their dog!

There were a ton of family photos but I wanted to show one with Amy’s Mom and Stepdad to show off why I always do a dance when we can do family formals outside in the shade.  Gorgeous light (and people)!

Once we got through all the families we finished up with a few of just Amy and Jeff.

I’m obsessed with her dress!  Perfect for a casual bride for a backyard wedding AND it can be worn again!  It looked so comfy too!

People started to arrive and EVERYONE was smiling!

The bar was an immediate hit!

I may have taken a lot of photos of their dog.  #sorrynotsorry

Cousins all had a blast playing cornhole (or trying to play) together!

While the kids played and giggled, the parents laughed and caught up with one another.

Seriously, their son is too darn cute for words.  THOSE EYES!

I had to include another photo of their dog.  Again, not sorry.

As the evening light started to change into sunset, more and more people kept arriving and gathering.  The mood was nothing but smiles and love.  There was NO stress, no agenda.  Just food (TACOS!) and fun.

Throughout the evening there were a few casual toasts, nothing formal but just loved ones talking about how much love they had for Amy and Jeff and wishing them the best.

While there weren’t a ton of formalities they still did sneak a few in – including cutting the cake.

They also ended up doing a first dance and it was sweet and perfect (and Amy has AMAZING hair).

Evening light grew and people kept playing with the yard games including the jenga which was falling and creating laughs all night long.

One last photo under the stars before I left!