Emily + Jeff

Backyard weddings are always my favorite. There’s something so special about getting married in a place that feels personal. And when that place is your childhood home? Even better.

Jeff and I actually go way back. We met in high school and reconnected years later through fencing. (He’s now an Olympic sabre fencing trainer and gives me and my best friend lessons.) He and Emily met on Tinder, though it took a while for their romance to get rolling. She left his message unread for four months before finally deciding to give him a chance.

Jeff was surprised, and beyond thrilled, when Emily wrote back and agreed to a date. From the moment they met, everything just clicked. They’re both teachers: He works with kids through fencing, and she teaches middle school English Language Arts. They also share a love of cats, books, and travel. No wonder they wound up talking for six hours straight! 

Their wedding day perfectly matched their vibe as a couple: charming, intentional, and warm. Emily’s childhood home was the perfect setting… familiar and full of handmade touches. Guests played lawn games, wandered through the gardens, and sat at long tables under the trees. Everyone felt relaxed, connected, and genuinely happy to be there.

Speaking of handmade touches, Emily’s dad (who loves building things) put great care into preparing the landscape. He even built the car and lighthouse that live in the backyard. When I suggested we take portraits with his creations in the background, he teared up and told me how much it meant to him. It was one of those intimate, heartfelt moments I was honored to witness and capture… one that will likely be passed down and retold for generations. 

Like Emily’s dad, she and Jeff also have a knack for creating cozy, intentional spaces. Their next big project? Turning the basement of their new home into a speakeasy. It’s the perfect reflection of who they are: two old souls with a deep appreciation for history and atmosphere. That rich, nostalgic energy was woven throughout their wedding day, from the ceremony playlist (featuring a song by Iron & Wine and a piece from the Pride & Prejudice score) to the way guests lingered under the trees, fully present and soaking it all in.

Wishing Emily and Jeff a lifetime of good books, hidden nooks, cat snuggles, plenty of adventures, and the kind of love that’s built… and rebuilt, together.

Vendors: Dress @brides_for_a_cause • Alterations @behindtheseamsbridal • Wedding Day Coordinating @jackandloevents • Catering @ristorantedipompello • Hair Joy Bush and Trisha Vasquez