Backyard Wedding in Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah | Fine Art Wedding Photography

Tai Lee Photography | Salt Lake City, Utah Destination Wedding Photographer

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE MINIMALIST, EDITORIAL COUPLE

Something I love about wedding photography is that you get to design your day. There is no perfect way, and what suits one couple will be totally different than what suits another. This small, intimate backyard Utah wedding was so beautiful, so intentional, and so meaningful. Amanda and Devin were so down to earth, and so real about exactly what they were wanting their wedding day to look like. They were all about having their most cherished family members to celebrate with them (including their dog babies) and you can really see the deep connection they have with one another. Amanda and Devin has recently lost a grandfather which really played a role in the importance of a simple micro wedding without all the fluff. They also brought in a killer officiant who spoke beautiful words over them in love and support. This summer wedding was hot as hell, but we all got through it and the memories created will last forever.

You’ll find 8 million backyard wedding ideas and small wedding ideas, and while those little details can be a beautiful addition to your day, they are not necessary. Sometimes it just takes stripping it all away, not over thinking things, and just exchanging vows with your person alongside your loved ones. It also doesn’t mean you can’t have beautiful wedding photos with a fine-art feel. Fine art wedding photography isn’t just for luxury weddings, and isn’t something you can only get from the “best”, top, celebrity status wedding photographers. The best photographer for brides and/or grooms is the one that is going to honor their couple and create beautiful, storytelling images of their day. The human story is beautiful and deserves to be documented as such.

Wedding Location | Backyard in Salt Lake City, Utah

Officiant | Jenn Brook of Wilde Heart Weddings

As a bonus to this blog post, I wanted to share some helpful information from a Q & A with Utah Wedding Officiant Jenn Brook of Wilde Heart Weddings:

How Do You Personalize The Ceremony For Each Couple?

Several meetings with the couple - along with a comprehensive love story / getting to know you questionnaire that I have each partner fill out separately (keeping answers secret) and then share my writing about what they have shared with each of them separately, so it is a surprise during the ceremony - for example, I share the details I write from what Tom shared about Sally, only with Tom to approve beforehand, so it is an authentic moment and surprise during the ceremony for Sally.

How Long Does The Ceremony Typically Last?

I tell couples to plan for 30-45 minutes for a full traditional ceremony (that includes everyone walking down the aisle and the big kiss, and signing the marriage license).

Elopements are about the same, but there is a lot more flexibility in the timeline. Usually after meeting with a couple and discussing what they want, and if they are including vows, I can give a good guesstimate of the amount of time of the actual ceremony within a few minutes (for example 16-18 minutes of me speaking).

Any Tips For Couples Writing Their Own Vows?

The #1 thing that I tell my couples is to start taking notes NOW! Send yourself a text (or put a note in your notes app on your phone) when you think of something you love about your partner, or notice something they do that you love. Things come to us at the most inopportune times (I get all my best ideas while driving or in the shower) so just find a way to bring things together over time.

I do have a whole blog post about this!

https://www.wildeheartweddings.com/post/write-your-own-vows

What Makes You Unique As A Wedding Officiant? Things That Set You Apart, How You Go Above & Beyond, Etc?

My #1 goal is for the guests at the wedding to think I am a friend or family member (or even a closet spiritual advisor) that has known the couple forever.

So what sets me apart is the connection that I make with my couples.

I also feel like I set the intention that the couples that find me will be in alignment with my morals, values etc. and they will want what I offer... even when they are only aware that they need "someone" to officiate their ceremony.

I also have been told that I have a calming presence or just a vibe about me that makes even the most stressed or awkward people feel at ease. I don't necessarily see this about myself (we are always our worst critics) but I have been told this SO often, I feel like it comes from my spiritual connection and beliefs, and that I relate very closely with Buddhist principles and ideals. I am a reiki master (a form of energy healing) and I like to exude (or call on) that energy when I am performing ceremonies. Not lets not get too crazy with all the calm and patience, I am still a real human, that talks like a sailor most of the time ;) (just not at weddings)

What Types Of Weddings Do You Specialize In?

Intentional - Spiritual - Nontraditional - Alternative - Pegan - Handfasting - Symbolic Unions

Let's just say, there is nothing that will scare me away, the weirder and more woo-woo the better :)

However, I also LOVE a good, old fashion, a romantic traditional ceremony that celebrates a couple's love story, and plans for the future. (not everything has to be spiritual, I am just really good at that)

What Advice Would You Give Couples Planning Their Wedding or Elopement?

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER!! and videographer if it is in your budget!

If you want to have a friend or family member perform the ceremony, ask to read the ceremony beforehand, or ask to give input. See if they are TRULY comfortably in front of people if you are having a traditional wedding.

Schedule time alone with your partner right after the ceremony, after signing the license - even if it is just 10 minutes to take off your shoes and sit for a minute

Do it YOUR WAY - Fuck tradition if you don't want to have a big family wedding, make it your own. If YOU and your partner want a big traditional wedding, still stand your ground and don't invite the aunt you never met (just because grama says so) have the square cake (even though mother in law thinks that is tacky) don't have your cousin in the bridal party if you don't want to!! Just always keep in mind - this is you day!!

bridal couple black and white film with prism effect

bride hugging dad crying at wedding black and white

groom hugging dad at wedding black and white

male female couple in bridal attire industrial buildings in background

male female couple standing in bridal attire in front of shed sunlight

black and white photo bride with tattoos on arms

male female couple standing behind white curtains on patio

husband and wife sitting on couch in wedding dress next to dog

husband and wife sitting on couch next to dog in wedding dress and suit

Next Steps

Let me guess—you’ve google searched a few phrases. Maybe “top wedding photographers in Utah”, “best wedding photographers near me”, “destination wedding photographer”, or possibly “fine art wedding photography”. Or maybe you’ve been searching for Utah wedding photographers on instagram or wedding instagram photography. It can be overwhelming to know where to start and to find someone that you know is going to go above and beyond in the images they create for you. Let me help you. Let’s create something beautiful and magic together. CLICK HERE TO CONTACT ME ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING WEDDING OR ELOPEMENT or click the inquire button below.