Julia and John's Microwedding in Northampton, Massachusetts

I met Julia in person for the first time only a week before her and John’s wedding. We met at her parents’ house to take a walk through her new ceremony site. We had emailed and called one another so many times before their event, and of course the phone calls and emails picked up after Covid hit. Like all of the couples I had booked for this year, I really felt for them. They had an amazing outdoor wedding planned on their friend’s property in western Massachusetts this summer but had to scale back when the pandemic hit.

I was so happy when they told me they decided to move their large event to next year and still celebrate small on their original date. They organized a beautiful Microwedding in Julia’s parent’s backyard in Northampton, Massachusetts.

They invited their closest friends and family and really thought carefully about ways to maintain distance at their celebration. Their ceremony was a thoughtful and beautiful reflection of who Julia and John are as individuals and as a couple. John’s sister officiated and live music was provided by their friends. Before exchanging their vows, they took a moment of silence to reflect on the lives that were lost this year in the pandemic and on the lives lost to racial injustice.

Local talent was strong at this event. Julia’s dress, their rings, the flowers, and the food were all provided by western Massachusetts based vendors. The flowers for her bouquet were grown and arranged into beautiful bouquets by Julia’s friends at Wingate Farm in Hinsdale, Massachusetts. Wheelhouse Catering parked a food truck right in her parent’s driveway and had an amazing menu of locally sourced food. Of course I was local too. With so many weddings in the city this year it felt extra sweet to capture one right in Northampton.

I have loved photographing all of the backyard weddings this year. I think it is so meaningful to be married right outside of the home you grew up in. It feels extra special. I think everyone was feeling that energy on this day.

Thank you to Julia and John for sharing your celebration and your kind hearts with me.