SEPTEMBER 20, 2025
Intimate backyard wedding
Audrey + Alex
Audrey and Alex’s intimate backyard wedding was so quaint and relaxed — I was absolutely charmed. Their 10 closest family members were present for the small ceremony at a family property, followed by a larger reception the following day at Mother Handsome in Oak Park, MI. It was truly a family effort, because everyone played a part in this special day.
MORE ABOUT THEIR intimate outdoor wedding
When I arrived to the property, I was immediately greeted by Alex’s family and shown around the yard. Alex was finishing up getting ready with his brother Zach, who also officiated their union. Alex wore a special matching necklace with his brother for the celebration, keeping a piece of his family close.
Audrey put all her love and care into planning her and Alex’s backyard wedding. She thrifted and curated all of the tableware, including the glass goblets, plates and bud vases. Earlier in the week, she and her family made all of the bud vase arrangements themselves. And she even created a museum-like art installation of photos of her and Alex throughout the years of their relationship, all nailed into the trees lining their ceremony site.
Backyard wedding ceremony
The future Mr. and Mrs. chose to have a backyard wedding to focus on what mattered most to them — their family. Everyone got to play a role in organizing, setting up and running the day. Alex’s Aunt Robin was the flower girl. His brother officiated. Audrey’s dad walked her down the aisle. Alex’s mother made their wedding cake. Audrey’s mom hand-made a cross-stitch sign for their reception.
This is what love is all about. Doing things for each other out of love, and being together.
Nature wedding portraits
After signing their marriage license, with their mothers witnessing, we made our way to Douglas Evans Nature Preserve for a brief window of bride and groom portraits. The weather and season couldn’t have been more perfect — a warm sunshine, colorful leaves on the trees, and a gorgeous backdrop for the portrait that commemorate the day of Audrey and Alex’s wedding.
A HOME-COOKED WEDDING DINNER + RECEPTION AT MOTHER HANDSOME (OAK PARK)
When we were done with portraits, we headed back to their private residence and the couple was greeted with a bubble entrance! Then we enjoyed a home-cooked dinner, grilled by Zach (a jack of all trades!). The hospitality of Audrey, Alex, and their families is something I will never forget.
One of my favorite moments of the evening was when Alex’s mom brought out the wedding cake she baked for them, topped with a pair of bear figurines. After the cake was cut, I said my goodbyes for the night and returned the next day to Mother Handsome, a local pizza joint in Oak Park, MI, to capture candid moments of celebration with the newly-weds’ friends and family.
Every wedding is different from the next, but one thing always remains consistent. When there is love present, everyone works together to create an intentional, calm atmosphere to celebrate. This was absolutely the case with everyone involved in Audrey and Alex’s wedding.
If you are planning an intimate backyard wedding and want to hire a photographer with experience working so closely with you and your family, I would be honored to chat with you on a Discovery Call to see if we’d make a great team for your dream wedding day.
michigan wedding Photography package
You want a photographer who understand the legacy behind your wedding day — all of the expected and unexpected moments that tell the story of your love.
You want a photographer who understands the intention behind every elegant detail curated for your day — because atmosphere, presence, and nostalgia all play a roll in your day.
Both of you want an experience that feels effortless. With a clear plan and gentle guidance, you’ll feel taken care of - not timed and nothing forced - just intentional guidance when needed and space for real moments to breathe. If this sounds like what you’ve been longing for, you’re in the right place.
Detroit Wedding Photography Package – starting at $3,500
Continuous coverage
partial, full day, and weekend coverageHigh-resolution photos
for printing + framing all your favorite photosWeb-sized images
for sharing online + social mediaAccess to professional-grade print labs
right within your gallery, so printing is easyOnline gallery delivery in 6-8 weeks
so you can relive the best day of your lives
50+ pg. Welcome & Planning Guide
to help your wedding planning go smoothlyTimeline planning
for a wedding day rooted in presenceVendor recommendations
to take the endless searching out of planningPlanning Questionnaires + Unlimited meetings
to ensure we capture you in a truthful wayOne roll of 35mm film photography
because film captures nostalgia perfectly
Michigan Wedding Vendor Team:
Photographer: Alaina Miller Photography
Reception Venue: Mother Handsome
Officiant: Groom’s Brother (Zach Gregorich)
Cake: Groom’s Mother
