shelby + ben, an intimate backyard wedding in Southeast Michigan

It’s not too often I take on a wedding, so when I do, you know there has to be an extra special reason! Shelby and Ben contacted me about photographing their intimate backyard wedding in Southeast Michigan back in March of this year. In Shelby’s inquiry, she specifically acknowledged that she was aware weddings aren't my main focus. She said she loved my work though and that her and Ben preferred to hire wedding vendors that they already knew. Right then and there, it was obvious: Shelby and Ben were going to be great to work with. Anyone who shops small and local earns brownie points in my book!

I have only truly known Shelby a little while, but she has been one of my husband’s dearest friends since high school (another reason why I knew she would be great to work with)! We met briefly at mine and Estevan's own wedding, and then again on a video call where we went over her and Ben's wedding contract. It wasn’t until their engagement session at Kensington Metro Park that I was able to actually become a little more familiar with Shelby and Ben.

Since then, I have come to know Shelby as someone who cares deeply about those close to her. She is quiet but observant, calm, gentle, and driven. And in coming to know Shelby, I have also learned a bit about who Ben is as well. I love seeing how couples work together, interact, and balance each other out. You know that cliché of someone being your missing puzzle piece? That is exactly what Shelby and Ben are to each other. They fit together perfectly. Where Shelby is reserved, Ben is outgoing. He is talkative and friendly and just as caring as Shelby. It’s so clear when looking at or listening to Ben just how much he cares about Shelby. Seeing their love for each other, in person, has been such an honor.

the intimate backyard wedding

I am so, so happy I decided to take on Shelby and Ben’s micro-wedding. It was personal, cozy, warm, and a perfect send off to a busy summer! Their intimate backyard wedding was a true labor of love. From planting a mini sunflower patch to constructing a patio to transforming their yard into a romantic paradise, Shelby and Ben’s hard work paid off, and their wedding was everything a wedding should be. Quite honestly, anyone planning their own backyard wedding or DIY wedding should look to Shelby and Ben for advice: they know how to bring a vision to life!

Due to their wedding's small size, only Shelby and Ben's closest friends and family members were invited to share this special day with them. In fact, I would say that a major overarching theme to their wedding was just that: the closeness to and love for their family. When discussing what she hoped to see in their wedding gallery, Shelby emphasized the importance of photos focused on both her guests and of the little details that showed the warmth and comfort of their home.

ceremony

The ceremony itself took place toward the back of their property under a tree that arched beautifully over the yard. Sunlight sprinkled through the leaves bright and warm making the yard glow.

Guests sat on white folding chairs in short rows facing an arch that Shelby and Ben had covered in red and yellow silk flowers. Shelby and her bridesmaids held beautiful silk bouquets designed by Shelby’s mother. Behind the guests, stood a tall sunflower garden, handplanted especially for this wonderful day.

Ben’s father officiated the wedding and both Shelby and Ben’s mothers did readings. Their dogs acted as ring bearer and flower girl. Literally every ceremony detail screamed (in the most comforting and elegant of ways, of course) that family means everything to these two! Even their unity ceremony—a ceremony which typically focuses on two becoming an inseparable one—emphasized the importance of their families.

As someone who has been in the hospitality industry for ten years, I have been to a ton of weddings, and I have witnessed plenty of unity ceremonies. From candle ceremonies to sand ceremonies and from three cord ceremonies to reverse candle ceremonies and everything in between, it feels like I have seen all of the unity ceremonies out there. I always end up surprised though! For their wedding, Shelby and Ben did a water ceremony. Together, they each took a wine glass filled with water and, at the same time, poured their glasses into a watering can: creating a mixture of water that will never be separated again. After their ceremony, Shelby and Ben took the little watering can and, holding it together, poured it slowly over a small tree they transplanted from Shelby’s childhood home. It was an action I found to be quite powerful, moving, and meaningful.

reception

Shelby and Ben's wedding reception was just as sweet as their micro-ceremony and just as intimate. For the reception, guests moved into an area of the backyard filled with glowing string lights. The tables, covered in burgundy cloths, were filled with flowers made from book pages, small wooden hearts, and lush centerpieces. Friends and family sat together talking and laughing. Their dinner was catered by Shelby’s sister and brother-in-law’s BBQ catering company Burning River BBQ, and their cake and cupcakes were provided by Shelby’s mother.

Shelby and Ben's wedding night ended with romantic dances under the glowing lights on their newly constructed stone patio. Slow dancing was followed by faster dancing and a lot of laughing. And all the while, the dogs—exhausted from their duties as ring bearer and flower girl—slept in the grass.

Shelby and Ben--

Thank you for everything.

Thank you for allowing me this experience. Thank you for trusting me to illustrate your special day in a way that you will cherish forever. Thank you for letting me be a part of your story. It was such a beautiful night. The vibes were light and joyous.

Thank you for loving each other so thoroughly.

Congratulations again! I wish you both a lifetime of smiles, laughter, hugs, and kisses. I can't wait to see where life takes you.

Thank you, my sweet cousin Kelly Bojanowski, for working by my side and for helping make these photos possible for Shelby and Ben. You're incredibly talented, and I am so grateful for your constant support.

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A few of my typical side notes:

• I am currently booking all of the sessions! Contact me to learn more, or check out my services to learn more about what session types I offer.

• I am currently working on compiling this year's annual calendar series. Make sure to follow along on Facebook or Instagram for updates. The series is expected to be announced mid- to late-October.

• Download your list of my 10 Date Ideas for Guaranteed Fun in Michigan.

• NEW for 2022's holiday season: gift cards and a print shop for my nature + landscape photos. Contact me to purchase a gift card, and visit my print shop here.

• Pábitel Photography is now on Society6! Visit my shop where you can find almost all of my nature + landscape work across a variety of great items for your home!