Grace and Lakota had the softest, sweetest, sweatiest backyard summer wedding in Ridgewood, Queens. These two lovebirds— passionate about the history of their area— rejected wedding industry norms to usher in an organic, casual, an intimate “backyard summer party” vibe, and let me tell you: they nailed it. To keep things classic and raw, I photographed their day both digitally and on 35mm film (Kodak Portra 400 on my Canon Ftb).

A Wedding Without Frills; Just Love

From the jump, Grace and Lakota knew they didn’t want the big traditional wedding day. Their focus instead was on bringing together the people they love to celebrate their relationship in the city they love. They knew they wanted to completely bypass any commercial pressures of things like useless goodie bags or centerpieces that go in the garbage the next day. Instead of a day centered around stuff, they centered their day around ~vibes. And y’all… let me tell you, the vibes were immaculate.

Like all of the couples I work with, it was important to Grace + Lakota to create a truly bespoke wedding day. They wanted it to feel like them from start to finish. Something casual, simple and laid back, with really good food, their favorite desserts, and plenty of time and space for talking to everyone… but still intimate enough that there’s no stress about talking to everyone. Nothing that could cultivate any pressure to be the center of attention, and no traditions that would require commanding a room. Somewhere special, but also familiar. And please absolutely none of the typical headaches of a traditional wedding day 🙏  Just a chill backyard party where they also happen to be getting married!

They found their way by paying close attention to the things that mattered the most to them and remaining true when faced with decisions. It made sense to get married in Queens, the borough that held so much of their story. When they first started dating, Lakota lived in Ridgewood. They would take long walks through the neighborhood and past the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, a quaint Dutch Colonial home-turned-museum where Grace had never been, but Lakota promised to take her. 

Name a better time to take her there than on your wedding day.

The Onderdonk House was not only a special part of their story, but it cultivated the perfect laid back, come as you are, one-big-family vibe that Grace + Lakota were seeking to achieve. The museum is situated on a large backyard with short fences surrounding the perimeter, so you feel very much a part of Queens, like when you lie on your back in Central Park and feel very much all of New York City canopying over you. Unlike many traditional wedding venues, there’s no aisle to walk down, no dance floor, and no established parameters for where or how the day should unfold. A blank canvas for Grace and Lakota to truly make their own.

They started their day by getting ready apart from one another so that they could later have a private first look in the garden behind the museum (pinch me!). But fancy hotel rooms in difficult-to-get-to parts of the city were not even considered; it just was not a priority and didn’t make sense for the way these two wanted their day to feel: stress free and intentional. Grace’s sister helped secure jewelry while children chased each other up and down the stairs, and Lakota cracked beers in the backyard with longtime pals. Saturdays are for the boys 😎 

Intimate Ceremony + Celebration, Easy on the Social Anxiety

Grace and Lakota mingled with guests as they trickled in, rejecting the common notion that nobody should see the bride before she walks down the aisle. I guess it’s an easy notion to reject when there is no aisle to walk down. Technically, G+L had given guests a ceremony start time, but when that time arrived, Lakota and a friend (who was doubling as an officiant) wandered to a shaded corner of the garden where a few chairs had been placed haphazardly in a semi-circle. They told guests to follow them on their way over, and slowly but surely, a crowd began to form. Without any grand announcement, Grace’s father walked with her to meet Lakota, and the two shared the most casual and effortlessly cool ceremony I have ever photographed. 

So many of my couples feel immense anxiety about standing in front of a crowd of friends and family and professing their love for each other. I get it. That’s a lot of unnecessary added pressure if all you’re doing is trying to spend the rest of your life with somebody 😭 I really admired the way that Grace and Lakota chose to remain true to their own realistic boundaries, while also acknowledging how meaningful a ceremony can be— not just for themselves, but also for their families. It’s a tricky balance to strike, but this quasi-casual ceremony beautifully married structure with whimsy, intimacy with community, and also… Grace with Lakota.

Food Truck Palooza

Part of the beauty in choosing to structure your day in a way that makes sense for you is that it gives room for you to set your own priorities. A huge priority for Grace and Lakota was food. I oftentimes refer to food as the ultimate love language and my favorite way to share in community with others. Grace and Lakota wanted to share some of their favorite foods with the people in their lives— many of whom were traveling in from out of town. They brought in food trucks from their favorite restaurants, including some of my personal faves: Ras Plant Based for the vegan and vegetarian guests (Mable’s Smokehouse for the omnivores) and a Van Leeuwen ice cream truck as dessert. 

MAKE YOUR WEDDING WHAT YOU WANT

Grace and Lakota’s wedding is a testament to making your wedding what you want it to be. Whether you’re in New York City or anywhere else, you can create a day that’s uniquely yours. Don’t feel pressured by what’s trending in the wedding industry. Focus on what makes you and your partner happy, and let your wedding be a true reflection of your love story!

If you’re considering an intimate wedding in NYC, think about the treasures hidden in your own story and the special places that mean the world to you. As an NYC wedding and elopement photographer, it’s a privilege to capture these unforgettable moments. Also, check out my Pinterest profile for more inspiration and follow me on Instagram!