Gena and Jordan: Intimate Backyard Wedding in Woodbridge, Connecticut

What a stunning evening this was. Gena and Jordan decided to marry in a quiet, intimate family ceremony in Gena’s parents’ backyard and have a bigger wedding post-vaccine. I’m the lucky one who was called upon to document it!

From the moment I arrived at the family home, I felt welcomed by both sets of families. The energy in the house was warm, familiar, busy…for someone who lives far away from family and whose originally large family has shrunk considerably over the years, I felt a little like I was returning home, walking into this bustling wedding day household. 

Gena was stunning in her simple but elegant wrap dress, and Jordan was handsome in his suit as he waited outside with his brother for his fiancee to emerge. They had a sweet, silly, romantic first look with just me there to document it, and then they proceeded to have an insanely tender ceremony under the stunning Sukkah their families had erected and garlanded with greenery and lights. Everyone was laughing and crying. Everyone hugged joyously afterwards. This was clearly not just two people joining lives–this was two families coming together with a level of love and comradery I’ve rarely witnessed between in-laws. There was an ease between them all that completed the image I had felt when I first walked one: this was one, big, extended family celebrating a fully supported union.

This night was magical, the people were truly wonderful, and I hope the photos convey what a special moment in time this was.