Hannah & Paul's Handmade Allendale Backyard Wedding with Bass Lake Portraits

Fall WeddingsWest Michigan WeddingsBackyard Weddings

Oct 20

On October 3rd, Hannah and Paul said "I do" at a friend's home in Allendale, Michigan. It was intimate and colorful, and Hannah's creativity was in every detail. This Allendale backyard wedding was surrounded by their favorite people and a whole crew of kids, and it felt completely them.

A Bouquet Unlike Any Other

Let's start with the florals, because WOW. Hannah crocheted every bouquet and boutonniere herself. Her bouquet had coral and blush blooms with deep red centers, fluffy ivory clusters, tiny dusty blue forget-me-nots, and sage leaves, all stitched by hand. Strands of pearls wove through it. Her bridesmaids carried smaller versions in the same soft palette. Paul and his groomsmen wore crocheted lavender rosebuds on their lapels. These flowers will never wilt, and Hannah and Paul get to keep them forever.

The Look

Hannah's gown from Becker's Bridal was simple and elegant. It was a fitted crepe silhouette with a deep open back and a long line of pearl buttons running down to the train. Kassidy Noyes-Steenwyk styled her hair in a soft, curled low updo finished with a pearl hair comb and did a fresh, natural makeup look. Her bridesmaids wore mismatched lilac Birdy Grey gowns. Paul and his guys wore charcoal suits from Men's Wearhouse with lavender ties that matched perfectly.

A First Look Under the Willow

Hannah and Paul shared their first look under a huge weeping willow. When Paul turned around, his arms opened and the BIGGEST grin took over his face. It was pure joy, and it set the tone for the whole day.

An Intimate Allendale Backyard Ceremony

The ceremony took place in front of a gold frame filled with hanging blooms in peach, blush, white, and blue. The flowers seemed to float against the backyard trees. With a smaller guest list, everyone there truly knew and loved them. I loved seeing so many kids in the crowd!

Hannah and Paul's vows were so amazing and so emotional. As Hannah read hers, you could see Paul trying to hold it together. You could feel the love between them. Then came the kiss, and Paul dipped Hannah back while the whole backyard cheered.

The Truth Comes Out

The day had plenty of laughs too. Paul is a brand guy, and Hannah used the wedding day to confess something. All this time, she had been secretly swapping his Listerine for generic mouthwash. The truth had to come out sometime, so why not on the wedding day?! It was the perfect glimpse into the playful relationship these two share.

Portraits at Beautiful Bass Lake

Next we headed to nearby Bass Lake. The water was bright blue, and the trees along the shore were just starting to turn gold and orange. The wedding party linked arms and walked the shoreline, laughing the whole way. Then Hannah and Paul had some time to themselves. Paul twirled her down a wooded path and scooped her up into his arms. At golden hour, he dipped her into a sunlit kiss, which is one of my favorite photos of the year.

A Backyard Party Under the Tent

Back in Allendale, the celebration moved under a Baker Tent Rental tent. A backyard sport court became the dance floor, lined with a white picket fence and twinkle lights. Guests feasted on Condado Tacos, and DJ Dan Hill kept the party going all night. After the first dance, the kids completely took over the floor, busting out their best moves while guests danced in light-up headbands.

An Allendale backyard wedding like this proves you don't need a huge venue for an unforgettable day. You just need your people, a lot of heart, and a couple who knows exactly who they are.

To the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Jorgensen,

Thank you so much for inviting me into such a personal and creative day. Your backyard wedding was full of love, family, kids, and so much heart. I felt lucky to be part of it.

Hannah, your creativity amazed me all day. You crocheted every single bouquet and boutonniere, and every photo shows how much love you poured into this day. I hope those flowers sit somewhere special in your home forever.

Paul, your face at the first look and during Hannah's vows said everything. And thank you for being such a good sport about the great Listerine confession. I'm still laughing!

My favorite part of the day was how intimate it felt. You were surrounded by your closest people, with kids running everywhere, and it was exactly what a wedding should feel like.

Wishing you both a lifetime of love, laughter, and only name-brand mouthwash from here on out.