MCKENZIE + JAMIE (A DIY, BOHEMIAN FARM WEDDING IN FINKSBURG, MARYLAND)

An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer

Every once in a while I receive an email that stops me in my tracks. So much so that no matter what time, what date (well, as long as I'm not booked), what location - I'm there, baby. A word to all potential clients, personality and individuality go a long way. Visual aids don't hurt either. Sweet miss McKenzie did both. 

An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer

McKenzie emailed me exactly one month before her wedding. Clearly last minute, her email was titled "a desperate plea". By her third sentence in she was telling me about her farm and the sheep, ducks, alpacas, chickens, and honeybees that live there. She also attached a photo of her wedding invitation (below) that she illustrated herself. Take me now, sailor! I needed to shoot this wedding.

An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer

Be sure to check out McKenzie's illustrations. She makes some beautiful work! I'm jealous of her skills.

GoetzWedding-40.jpg
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
GoetzWedding-160.jpg
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer

Did I mention the farm animals dressed pretty for the wedding too?

An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
GoetzWedding-223.jpg
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer

And thus began a most sincerely beautiful wedding day.

An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer

The ceremony was held just down the path from McKenzie & Jamie's house. It loved how everything took place on the farm but it felt like three entirely different locations. And wow, the ceremony site was a dream.

An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer

This is about where I lost my breath. Could you have asked for a more beautiful day? I think not.

An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
GoetzWedding-565.jpg
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer

I told McKenzie and Jamie to give me their best "Alpaca Face". It's not every day you can say that. I took advantage of it.

An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer

The highlight of the day for me was when McKenzie said "Let's get some pictures with the animals!" I thought "Cool!" imagining some dorky kneel-by-the-fence-and-smile! kind of shot. Before I knew it McKenzie had changed out of her wedding gown into a beautiful summer dress and was holding a trough. The below picture reminds me of something from the Dorothea Lange era. It's my favorite shot of the day.

An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer

How to end a post like this? With a sheep cake, of course!

An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer
An Artist and Farmer’s Boho, DIY Wedding | Maryland Wedding Photographer

MINDY + DANIEL (A VINTAGE BACKYARD WEDDING IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA)

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

"I don't deserve this girl next to me and I can't wait to marry her. I love her." My jaw hung open for a good two minutes. I'm pretty sure the waiter may have even been trying to collect my half-empty plate, but I didn't clearly didn't hear him. The lights dimmed and the slideshow began to play. I couldn't believe how "me" this couple was. Not only were the photos primarily polaroids, but they had an instrumental track off Imogen Heap's new album accompanying the photos as well. Geeeet out. I don't normally get to attend rehearsal dinners and man, was this one a treat. (quite literally, the Italian food was incredible)

Daniel and Mindy. Oooh goodness, you two. I can't believe we hadn't met before your wedding. You two pretty much define my brand. Young, artsy, casual, intimate - you name it, your wedding had it. So world, let me introduce you to Daniel and Mindy and their North Carolina love story. They met through mutual friends and Daniel knew pretty immediately she was the girl he was going to marry. :) I love that part of their story because it describes Daniel so well: genuine, heart on his sleeve, and completely in love with Mindy.

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

And seriously, there is not one thing not to love about Mindy. She is just about the sweetest, prettiest, most graceful, most thoughtful creature alive. From my very first email from her to hearing her friends rave on and on about her after picking me up from the airport - everybody loves Mindy. And boy, was she beautiful on her wedding day.

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

Here she is with the girls. I loved their dresses. Such a breath of fresh air!

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

Mmm and did I mention Daniel is a drummer? Most of the groomsmen were his band-mates too. And the best part: Daniel wrote the song she walked down the aisle to. Yes, that's incredible. And yes, I cried.

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

I can't begin to describe how lovely all the details were at this wedding. So vintage and so them. One of my favorites was the clothes pin picture display. Apparently Daniel and Mindy took a polaroid photo of them on every one of their dates. Amazing.

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

Ok, ready for the happiest thing you've ever seen? This is Daniel when she walked down the aisle. Holy goodness, it's adorable.

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

First kiss!

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

And these two could not stop kissing after. They'd be in the middle of a conversation with somebody and just go at it. Eventually their friends got the drift and just watched. Haha adorable.

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

The absolutely killer back-lit barn they got married in front of! Booyeah!

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

And now for the love. These photos brought to you by 1:30pm. Toughest lighting of my life, but Mindy chose the sweetest location - a local garden/produce stand!

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

LOVED this orange Volkswagen Beetle!!

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

One of my favorites of the day. I don't know what it is about it, it's just so happy to me.

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

:)

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

More happy details.

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

Major props for this awesome mother/daughter dance. It started out slow and broke into a line dance, at which point Mindy was dragged in. :)

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

And finally, of my favorite moments from the wedding. Daniel and Mindy had their first dance on the front porch while one of Daniel's groomsmen sang their first dance song. It was an incredibly beautiful moment.

A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.
A backyard barn wedding in North Carolina with vintage details and bright, colorful gerbera daisies. The bride wore an empire waist gown and the groom a casual vest. Photos by Lydia Jane.

Daniel + Mindy: YOU'RE MARRIED. Love you guys so much. Thank you and everyone in North Carolina who took care of me! You guys are the absolute best.