There is just so special about watching someone you know get married—AND photograph the wedding, it’s the dream. In October of 2021, I had the honor of photographing one of my friends, who just so happens to also be a wedding photographer AND my business partner! How special is that?! Morgan and Bradyn’s Northern Wisconsin Backyard Wedding was full of so much love, intentionality, and Fall tones. 

Morgan and Bradyn tied the knot at Morgan’s childhood home near Duluth, Minnesota. The morning of the wedding, Morgan let me in on a secret… She was going to chop her hair off and surprise literally everyone – *on her wedding day*. Morgan’s mom had the second best reaction to her haircut… The bridesmaids and Morgan’s dad were all shocked not only to see her in her beautiful wedding dress but also to see her haircut. But Bradyn’s reaction was the best. 

As the time rolled around for the first look between the bride and groom, we were waiting for rains to start falling at any moment. So Morgan and Bradyn got ready for their first look. As soon as Morgan tapped Bradyn’s shoulder, his jaw dropped as he turned to see her haircut. She loves to tell people that she had to ask Bradyn what he thought of her dress because he just kept staring at her hair! 

Moments before Morgan prepared to walk down the aisle, it started to pour. The ceremony space was a sea full of umbrellas as Morgan and Bradyn’s closest friends and family watched them commit to a lifetime of loving one another. Once they said, “I do”, everyone rushed to the tent to get a warm cup of coffee from the Minneapolis Coffee Cart (highly recommend). We all had so much fun dancing the night away in the mud puddles, eating some late night pizza, and loving on the newly weds. Our virtual assistant, Courtney, even attended which was so much fun! (Check her out @cpproductivity)

I am so incredibly thankful for this job I have. And as funny as it sounds, I am so thankful to Instagram for introducing me to one of my favorite people. Morgan and Bradyn’s Northern Wisconsin Backyard Wedding was so perfectly “them” – which is exactly what a wedding should be. If you’re recently engaged, be sure to head over to my Wedding Planning Tips for more resources. As always, I’d love to be friends over on Instagram @sarahyatesphoto.

A huge thank you to the incredible vendors that made the Watson Wedding as wonderful as it was:

Photography – Sarah Yates Photo
Hair & Makeup – Mosst Love Hair
Florals – Pansy Floral
Dress – David’s Bridal
Suit – Generation Tux
Coffee Cart – Coffee Cart MPLS
Music – Dave Birk Music + Anna Marie Carey
Bakery – Maplewood Bakery