Rainy Intimate Backyard Wedding in Snohomish, WA

Wedding

Alex + Jordan had the perfect backyard ceremony set up when I first arrived, but little did we know that Mother Nature would soon be making her grand entrance with other plans. These two and their loved ones were ready to adapt at the drop of a hat, turning what could’ve been a disappointing change of plans into an even more beautiful celebration of love, joy, and community. What an honor to be invited to this intimate backyard wedding in Snohomish, and what a magical day it turned out to be!

Alex + Jordan’s Rainy Backyard Wedding in Snohomish

A moody fall day in the Pacific Northwest

As much as we’d love to think that Mother Nature is on our side, and would do everything in her power to ensure that every couple’s wedding ceremony went without a hitch, unfortunately our wish is not her command—and Alex + Jordan’s day was the perfect example of that. We were crossing our fingers for clear skies on this early autumn day in Snohomish, with a bit of sunshine if we were lucky. The forecast in the days leading up to their celebration was looking promising, predicting typical PNW clouds but a low chance of rain, which we knew would actually look oh-so-dreamy at their backyard venue, in the middle of a lush, green forest.

However, what was supposed to be a vibrant, carefully set up wedding ceremony on the lawn turned into a last-minute tented ceremony, thrown together with the help of all family and friends in attendance—and I swear I heard not one complaint! This wedding was the definition of dancing in the rain, of embracing the flow of your wedding no matter what comes your way, of allowing the day to flow as it may (and the clouds, for that matter). I hope that as you scroll through these images, you’re able to see the beauty this group managed to make out of a downpour that could’ve absolutely brought down the vibes, but instead only contributed to the beauty of the day.

Pro tip: Having clear umbrellas on hand (like these ones) will make photos in the rain a lot cuter!

I am a BIG believer that rain can be such a delight on your wedding day—you know what they say about it being a sign of luck! There are endless ways to make magic out of cloudy skies, overcast lighting, and drops of water falling onto greenery, onto blossoming flowers. . . it sets an entirely different and completely unique mood, creating a peaceful, quiet atmosphere that I simply adore. To see another example of just how dreamy rain can be, even when unexpected, take a peek at Chelsea and Dayton’s Stormy Engagement Photos at Alki Beach!

A classy, modern disco vibe

Alex and Jordan’s wedding theme was EVERYTHING, a seamless blend of classy elegance and vibrant, free-spirited energy. Guests were invited to dress semi-formally, but for their wedding party, it was a black-tie affair; each and every loved one standing by Alex + Jordan’s sides was dressed to the nines in either a classic black tux, or a black dress in the style of their choice. This was such a fabulous choice by the bride and groom, as the dark, black tones really popped in front of all the vibrant greenery of the property, and stood out against Alex’s white gown. Jordan opted for a slightly different look than his groomsmen, donning a light brown suit and a black undershirt, which paired perfectly with the black tuxedos of his groomsmen and the deep greens of his surroundings.

Loved how Alex + Jordan chose to elevate this classy vibe and add a bit of a bold, contemporary feel, with disco balls galore, colorful glassware, vibrant florals filling the garden, and pastel-colored macarons highlighted on the dessert table. This is a beautiful example of how you can combine a little bit of elegance, a little bit of class, with a few pops of color and modern touches, to create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere suited to your unique vision! Would you believe that the majority of this backyard wedding was DIY’d by the couple? I could not believe the talent!

A dreamy first look + vow exchange among the greenery

Rain may not have been in the original plans for this day, but boy did it bring out the lush foliage foliage and turn this backyard into an absolute haven of greenery! After getting ready alongside a select few of their loved ones, Alex and Jordan met for their first look in one of the most stunning spots on the property, surrounded by absolutely stunning greenery, towering trees, and adorable little garden decorations. The view in front of my camera was simply breathtaking; a beautiful couple so wildly in love, standing beneath an abundance of quintessential PNW greenery, seeing each other in their wedding attire for the first time. What an easy job I had in this moment; the scene practically documented itself! Alex and Jordan chose to exchange private vows before heading back to meet with their guests, craving a few moments of solitude in the midst of this serene, ever so romantic atmosphere for just the two of them. Always love when couples make the decision to do this, and it’s a fabulous way to share your private vows without an audience, if that’s something you’re feeling anxious about!

A last-minute collaboration, all hands on deck

We had been fortunate to only have a little bit of light rain up until this point of the day, but Mother Nature had other plans for Alex and Jordan’s backyard wedding ceremony. There was an absolute downpour just as they finished wrapping everything up in preparation for the ceremony, but their friends and family all banded together for a Plan B, making sure that every moment was fun and enjoyable rather than stressful or anxiety-inducing. It was so awesome to see this group jump into problem-solving mode and execute on a backup plan for Alex and Jordan; I’ll always love weddings like this where it’s clear that everyone the couple loves has chipped in in some way or form. Despite the last-minute change of plans that forced everybody to transition under the tent, this was such a special ceremony, with Alex and Jordan surrounded by folks who unquestionably loved, supported, and celebrated them every step of the way.

A joy-filled reception beneath the most epic sunset

The rain cleared up soon after the bride and groom said their I do’s, making way for a lovely autumn evening under the most epic sunset—the most incredible way to wrap up a somewhat wild, unpredictable day. Alex and Jordan relaxed at their sweetheart table in a set of oversized wicker chairs, listening to the voices of their loved ones as they delivered heartfelt speeches and endless bouts of laughter. The newlyweds had their first dance under a colorful sky bursting with shades of pink, blue, and purple, the dreamiest glow shining down on them as they breathed in all the emotions of the day. It felt so special being one of the only vendors invited into such an intimate space; endlessly thankful that I was able to capture a bit of rainy magic from Alex and Jordan’s beautiful day!

If you and your love are ready to dance in the rain just as Alex and Jordan did, we may be a beautiful fit—I’d be honored to document your one-of-a-kind day, whether it’s a backyard wedding just like this one in the suburbs of Seattle, or a luxury elopement downtown. Learn more about my approach to photographing weddings and elopements here, and get in touch here if you’d like to chat further about your special day!