Ben & Alexis — Intimate Backyard Wedding in McMinnville, Oregon

Some weddings remind you what it’s really all about. Ben and Alexis chose to get married on a warm summer afternoon in McMinnville, Oregon—surrounded by just 20 of their closest friends and family. No venue, no strict timeline, no pressure. Just love, laughter, and a backyard that’s been part of Alexis’s life since she was a kid.

There was something incredibly grounding about the way the day unfolded. Alexis got ready in her childhood bedroom, with her mom and best friend by her side—zipping up her dress, laughing through nerves, and helping her step into a new chapter. Down the hall, Ben was getting ready with his two sons, who helped him into his suit with a kind of quiet pride that only deep family love can bring.

The entire day took place in her parents’ backyard—an open, green space that held the ceremony, dinner, and dancing all in one. With no rush and no noise, it felt like the kind of day you don’t just witness, but feel in your bones. Everyone was barefoot in the grass at some point. The wind was soft. The light kept shifting just right.

As a wedding photographer based in Oregon, these are the kinds of celebrations that leave a mark. Laid-back, full of soul, and centered on the people who matter most.

My husband and I photographed their wedding together, documenting the day on both 35mm film and digital. Film gave us those timeless, tactile frames that hold feeling in their grain—like the way Ben looked at Alexis during the vows. Digital helped us catch every glance and in-between moment—the toasts, the quiet smiles, the group hug that broke out after dinner.

From ceremony in the grass to the family-style dinner under the open sky, the entire day felt like a reflection of who they are: simple, intentional, and full of love. It was the kind of wedding that didn’t need anything extra—just the right people, in the right place, at the right time.

If you’re planning your own backyard wedding, looking for something small and heartfelt, or in need of a McMinnville wedding photographer who works with both digital and 35mm film—I’d love to be there.