Shealyn and Charles: Beautiful DIY Backyard Wedding in Lebanon, Connecticut

It’s always special to me when I work with a couple who is raising a child together. Their level of commitment and responsibility is on a whole other level, and their bond as a family is incredibly strong long before the wedding day. I had the pleasure of photographing Shealyn, Charles, and Shea’s son Weston for a combination engagement/family session in a historic Connecticut town where Shealyn has deep roots and plenty of knowledge. We talked about the Revolutionary War as we walked along the old town green, and I grabbed photos mostly of the three of them, nabbing some candid moments of just her and Charles when Weston ran ahead.

Fast-forward to their wedding. They had to change their original date (like so many others, due to COVID), and they rescheduled for a beautiful October day. Charles’ mother hosted the event in her yard, and I have to say: it was one of the most stunning examples of a DIY wedding I’ve seen. There were so many special touches, so many personal, family details on display among the cozy, hospitable settings. Mums in an explosion of colors, wispy dried grasses, and twinkling Edison bulbs created an elegant, artful scene against the backdrop of stunning fall foliage and the home’s beautiful established gardens. Shealyn walked down the makeshift aisle with her son, and there were tears and smiles everywhere I turned. The party was made even more special by Charles’s band playing, and Charles even sang a song for his new bride and step-son.

My favorite things to capture at a wedding are candid moments between people who love each other: what happens when the couple, their family members and friends are able to gather and be together—especially during a pandemic! This wedding was rife with these kinds of moments, and it warmed my heart. Thank you both for allowing me to be a part of this gorgeous, thoughtful, love-filled event!