Couples from rock and roll DIY’ers and outdoor folk – my goodness, this backyard wedding is plenty to offer brides and grooms who appreciate all things old-fashioned and unique.
Weddings I photograph in all corners of the globe, I’ve amassed a wide range of clients. Although every wedding differs from the previous one, one thing remains constant: I’m spoiled by the most stylish couples. Every time they dance to their beat, my brides and grooms celebrate uniquely. Rachael & Nikolaus are the perfect examples of natural, self-confident, gorgeous, and coolness.
The couple first met during one of Nikolaus’s shows, where the singer sang a favorite Jenny Lewis song of Rachael’s. The couple was in love. Rachael soon joined the group, and they bought an apartment for a weekend in Upstate New York. Naturally, when it came time to tie the knot, the couple transformed their vacation house into an outdoor concert venue to entertain their closest and dearest, and let me tell you, it was an excellent performance.
The trendy and vintage-themed space complemented the folky music. The event was planned and decorated by the bride herself. Rachael got a hold of old church pews for the ceremony seating (so excellent!), and Nikolaus created a pathway through the forest to allow guests to arrive with Aperol cocktails in hand. Guests were pampered with fresh oysters and a delicious bar of berry pie. The flowers? They were all picked by themselves in the New York City flower market.
And, as is tradition, the couple wore the most stylish outfits. Nikolaus wore a fantastic light blue wool suit and a cool top hat. The rocker bride was dressed in a knee-length lace gown with the most stylish wedding boots to welcome her guests. After the wedding ceremony, the bride changed into a soft, airy strapless dress with stunning 3D flowers.
The photography of Rachael and Nikolaus and their friends’ wedding was an honor and complete fun, thanks to their clear grasp of what it takes to throw a great event.
Our Love Story
We met during a show Nikolaus was playing at an establishment in Brooklyn. The show was arranged by a mutual acquaintance who later officiated our wedding! Nikolaus’ band began playing this song, which I’ve always enjoyed when our eyes met, and we knew something was happening. One week later, we met for our first date. We soon began playing and performing together. It was the perfect match.
The Venue & Wedding Style
I (Rachael) was in charge of planning the wedding for nearly one year and collected items from vintage stores in WV, NY, and Etsy. Nikolaus and I decided that the venue for the wedding had to be in the backyard of our home in the upstate that we bought in the last few years. The yard is perfect for an inspiring gathering. I took many of my ideas from images I found at stylemepretty.com. It had the theme “Adult Summer Camp,” and I began to gather inspirational images that I felt were connected. The property was prepared in the springtime by laying out a stunning path through the woods, which Nikolaus had worked on for months.
The Events
The wedding day began with a meal and drinks at around 4:30, and the ceremony began at 7:15. A meal was a significant element of the night since it set the mood and provided guests with something to be focused on. Oysters were served separately, and the catering company did two bite-sized meals. Desserts were performed following the ceremony. The music performances, arranged by Nikolaus, continued until the last guests left for home.
Due to the timeframe of the event, I wore two dresses. An edgy and short-length dress in the beginning and then the show-stopper revealed after the ceremony. Nikolaus didn’t have his shoes on and wore his old Toms. The goal was to have the most fun possible and spend time with those who love and support us. This was pure perfection.
The Flowers
The flowers came from three vendors within the NYC market for flowers: Associated, Major, and G. Page Wholesalers. I went to meet a close colleague (and coworker) early (they start at 5:30, and that’s when the action happens) on Thursday, the day before the wedding, to choose and buy the bouquets, and Nikolaus and I loaded everything in the car and drove upstate during the downpour. We arrived at the house, and those preparing the tent waited outside to greet us. It was a day before – we jumped into preparing for the weekend. The flowers were able to stay in our garage, which was chilly, till the early morning hours of our big event and continued to bloom throughout the following week despite the hot weather on Sunday.
