Today we get to share yet another beautiful Ohio backyard wedding with you all! We have had so many backyard weddings this year & we have to say that we are LOVING this trend in our photography business! This wedding was extremely special for so many reasons & we’re so excited to share the day with you from our perspective with our favorite photos! The number one reason this wedding day was so very special was that we absolutely love this couple! We’ve had the pleasure of knowing the bride Natalyn for years. She is an amazing person & will be such a wonderful wife to Joe! We love her for all of her quirkiness- the fact that she’s *cough* a couple *cough* years younger than we are, yet she is a self-proclaimed “old lady” who loves to read, knit, write, introvert, and enjoys long walks is so endearing & adorable. And she has loved on our baby girl Tenley ever since she was born; Tenley adores & looks up to Natalyn & we’re so grateful that Natalyn & Joe chose to include her as one of their flower girls! And then there’s Joe- a Naval officer and OSU Buckeye poised to do big things! He looks at Natalyn how everyone wishes their significant other would look at them. Just wait until you see photos. Insert contented & happy sigh here. Oh, Natalyn & Joe, we wish you all of the congratulations in the world & we’ll continue to pray for you as you embark on your marriage journey together & your move to Columbus together. Also, we’re really going to miss you hanging with our kiddos for a few hours a week so we can get a bit of uninterrupted work finished, Natalyn. You will never be replaced in our hearts & we’ll stay in touch often via cooky Snapchats & silly text messages. . . and, to honor your old lady ways, we’ll throw in a few snail mail goodies, too. hehe! We are so happy for you two & we’ll stop blabbing & get on with the pretty photos! 
I started off the morning with the ladies at Luxe Hair Salon & they were all in great moods & full of laughs.
We had to sneak a quick shot in with this sweet furchild Pippa! 
Josh was with Joe & the guys as they got ready for the day at Natalyn’s brother’s house nearby the ceremony site.
I absolutely loved her wedding footwear! These monogrammed sandals were so Natalyn & very practical & sweet for a backyard soiree. 
This bracelet was a gift from Joe that Natalyn got to wear on her wedding day. 
Natalyn & her mom Bonny are so close & are not only mother & daughter, but are best friends. Bonny and I bonded over & teared up a bit the morning of the wedding as we chatted about how we both prayed for our children’s future spouses from the time our children were babies. Bonny said Joe is the answer to many prayers.
Gosh, if Natty were any more beautiful I don’t know what would happen. Joe’s head would likely explode. lol. She’s definitely a natural beauty! 
And then it was time for their first look. Cue all the happiness & the brightest smiles in the world.
I’d be lying if I said my eyes were dry during their first look. . .which was just a few steps away from the spot where Joe proposed.
High school sweethearts. . . they’re the sweetest, am I right?!
Super huge thanks to Joe’s neighbor for the use of his Cadillac! 
One of the things we admire most about these two is that they strongly desire to have Jesus as the center of their marriage & that their marriage brings them each closer to Christ and, in turn, brings them closer to one another. It truly is a beautiful thing and they are wise beyond their years! 
After the first look, it was bridal party portrait time & the ladies were all looking so stunning in mint with their bouquets from Riverview Florist! Our daughter Tenley (you know her if you follow us on Instagram) & her fellow flower girls were ADORABLE! (Even though Tenley was slightly hangry at this point in the day. . . lol. Three year olds can be unpredictable).
And the guys were all smiles!
That little ring bearer had us all cracking up all day! He’s definitely a goofy little one with lots of personality. And we’re pretty sure he has a huge crush on the bride. 
Yes, Tenley is missing from this photo. . . when hanger calls, you gotta take care of it! Everyone else looked fabulous and if they were hungry, they didn’t complain. ha!
Natalyn, you were a gorgeous bride, which was not a surprise to anyone least of all Joe.
We had a few free moments before the ceremony started & she was much happier after eating some lunch so I snagged a quick photo of Tenley & her daddy. I hope she remembers being a flower girl for Natalyn, but if she doesn’t, she’ll at least have lots of photos to look back on.
Natalyn did a fantastic job with all of her DIY wedding day details!
The ceremony spot beside the lake was stunning. Joe’s parents’ backyard was such a great spot! And Natalyn’s dad did a fabulous job bringing a lot of Natalyn’s visions to life. This was definitely a group effort & lots of people helped. Natty & Joe were very grateful for everything everyone did to help! 
BRB. Crying! 
Still crying.
Okay, Pro Tip! Bonny put some Smarties in the bottom of the girls’ flower buckets & told them they could eat them once they made it down the aisle. Simple & genius! 
Their wedding ceremony was perfect & personal. Their vows were tear-invoking and I truly hope they frame them! 
They light each other up! Isn’t love grand?
Yay! They did it! The new Mr. & Mrs.! 
They got absolutely annihilated with birdseed as they walked back down the aisle together. Natalyn was still picking it out of her hair the next day lol! 
And then, like any good lakeside backyard wedding couple should, they sailed away in a boat for a little joyride as husband and wife.
And then they came back & their lovely guests had saved up some birdseed just for them. haha! P.S. Can you spot me? Always smiling behind my camera.
Like I said, Tenley really loves Natalyn & looks up to her so much. 
The classic truck was an adorable touch & served as the spot for reception place cards & the spot for guests to place their gifts & cards for the couple.
DIY backyard weddings are a lot of work & are not for the faint of heart! They are super fun & personal & wonderful. . . but be warned you may be getting yourself into something you don’t want to get into. . . so think hard before embarking on this journey. 
Frank’s Pastry Shop made their wedding cake.
Not to take away from the sweet moment Joe & Natalyn were having during their first dance here, but WOW, Natalyn’s hair looked great ALL day! The ladies at Luxe in Calcutta know what’s up for updos! 
And then we got to sneak them away during sunset for some Just Married photos in the most beautiful picturesque Ohio sunflower field! Those rolling hills! Those smiles! That light! My photographer heart was singing & I was singing literally. I knew something epic was happening as it was happening & I was giddy. So were Natalyn & Joe. . . those just married feels will get ya every time.
And, yes, we busted out the off-camera flash for some extra dynamic lighting fun.
And then they got to slow dance to some romantic tunes surrounded by their favorite people.
Sparkler sendoff for the win! 
What a lovely beginning to a lifelong adventure of love. We love you, Natalyn & Joe! We’re here for you no matter how far you travel together & we’re so grateful for your friendship. Thank you a million times for choosing us to photograph this day! It meant so much to us!
If you’re new to our blog, WELCOME & thanks for stopping by! We’re Josh & Danielle, a husband and wife wedding photography team based in Northeast Ohio & available for travel to destination weddings! We love wedding photography because we love people & we believe in the beauty of marriage! If you would like to chat with us, please fill out our contact form HERE. We’d love to hear from you about your big day & about anything else you want to share about you. We also share lots of wedding pretties & some fun personal stuff on our social media channels here:
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Natalyn & Joe’s Apple Orchard Fall Engagement Session
Romantic Outdoor Blush & Ivory Wedding Featuring a Horse & Carriage
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