In honor of these long, sunny days we are featuring Lauren and Garrett’s August 2019 wedding on the blog today.

We love this wedding for so many reasons. But our favorite part is the unique photography. As you’ll see shortly, Jo Julia Photography captures the couple portraits in unexpected ways. We can’t get enough of the outdoor shots with the tall field grasses in the foreground!

Lauren and Garrett had their first look in the open space behind the guest house. Afterwards, the couple shared personal vows with each other.

“It was nice to have some alone time to reflect on our marriage and lives together and soak it all in before the evening got started,” Lauren tells us.

If you like the idea of writing your own vows but you’re not crazy about reading them aloud during the ceremony, the first look is the solution. All the romance. No stage fright.

We hope you enjoy this wedding as much as we have!

Venue, Culinary: The Manor House | Photography: Jo Julia Photography | Videography: Mikaela Antonelli | Dress: Theia Couture purchased at a&bé bridal shop | Gents’ attire: Generation Tux | Floral: Lehrer’s Flowers | Cake: Whole Foods | Ring: Sarah O. | Bridesmaids: AZAZIE | Hair & Makeup: Wisp Salon & Spa | Invitations / Save the Dates: Chicken Little Hand Made Goods, Etsy

Lauren gifted her mother a customized handkerchief on the wedding day. So sweet!

Pro tip: The ‘Save the Date’ does not have to match the invitation (or the wedding) and it definitely doesn’t have to feel formal. After all, you’re sending a Save the Date at the beginning of your planning process and you probably won’t have the design of the wedding figured out until much later. Use your Save the Date as an opportunity to share an engagement photo or some fun facts about your journey together as a couple. Your guests will eat up the details!