Rivard | Backyard Wedding

It started with a phone call on a Wednesday night. "Yes I'm free on Friday night! A last minute backyard wedding? I'm in!" Some family friends were hosting a wedding for their niece and her husband to be at their home, and I was so excited!

It was crazy and fun and loud and so incredibly refreshing as I walked into the house as people were preparing for the ceremony. Everything had seemed to fall into place flawlessly. The bride had found a dress that fit her perfectly right off the rack, the weather was perfect, the sky was clear, and friends and family were able to make it just in time for the celebration. Except two very important people.

One of the bride's sisters was unable to attend, so they found a solution that was probably my favorite bridesmaid story ever- they got a broomstick, zip ties, some cardboard, and a tablet, and made a stand in bridesmaid; one that could watch the whole ceremony. I glanced over a few times to see her sister watching with tears streaming down her face. What an incredible thing to watch!

The second person unable to attend was someone who has fought hard for his time here on earth. The bride and groom have a beautiful baby boy who was born premature and is still in the hospital. Instead of the flower girl bringing flower petals down the isle, she held a tablet that played a live feed of baby Rivard so he could be a part of his parents wedding day.

The sun set as the ceremony ended, and we scrambled to get some photos before we lost all the light. We did it. It was beautiful. I cried. I laughed. I went home with so much joy in my heart and even more love for my job. It was a good day, to say the least.