You know when a wedding involves a cake cutting sword, it’s going to be awesome, right?

Aaron and Kjersti’s wedding was simple and relaxed, and anything but boring! After a sweet backyard ceremony, these two let loose at their reception, showing off their moves on the dance floor, cutting their wedding cake with the above-mentioned sword, and laughing up a storm with their guests before making their exit with a sparkler send-off. We don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty awesome to us!

Thanks to Lady & Gent Photography for sharing all the beautiful and fun photos from their special day.

Intimate at home wedding

Kjersti, 26 & Aaron, 25

Redmond, WA

Wedding Date: August 31, 2013

Number of Guests: 35

Wedding Cost: $6,000

Wedding Ceremony Location: Groom’s parent’s home in Redmond

Wedding Reception Location: Groom’s parent’s home in Redmond

stamped wedding forks

yellow and white wedding bouquet

vintage diamond ring

bride and grandfather

bride and groom portrait

bride and groom backyard portrait

Why did you have an intimate wedding?

We wanted our wedding to be small, intimate, and as stress-free as possible. We wanted something simple that best represented who we are as a couple.

wedding dress hanging on tree

bride getting dressed

bride putting on necklace

groom and father getting ready

groomsman pining on boutonniere

groom pinning on boutoniere

What are some of the challenges that you faced planning an intimate wedding? 

A few relatives weren’t thrilled with our decision and the hardest part was telling friends who would have been invited to a larger wedding, that they wouldn’t be able to come. I also had to convince Kjersti that making our own food wouldn’t be a disaster.

wedding portrait in the backyard

backyard wedding portrait

bride and groom under chuppah

Was it difficult to pare down the guest list?

No. We invited our immediate families, and the friends who would have been in the wedding party if we had done a traditional wedding.

bride and groom on farm

embracing bride and groom

groom dipping bride

Did you have any ‘issues’ with the small guest list from friends and family? If so, how did you address them?

A few relatives were disappointed, but there wasn’t any real drama. Our extended family just decided that if they weren’t going to be able to be at the wedding, they would throw us a wedding shower earlier in the summer, which was very thoughtful and appreciated.

wooden wedding direction signs

backyard wedding ceremony set-up

bride walking with father

groom waiting for his bride at the altar

What were the highlights of the ceremony? 

The ceremony was officiated by a husband and wife pastor team who are old friends of Kjersti’s family. The tag-team approach worked great, and it was really meaningful to be married by two people who had known Kjersti for years.

backyard wedding ceremony

wedding prayer

bride looking up at her groom

groom smiling at his bride

backyard wedding ceremony

bride putting ring on groom's finger

bride and groom first kiss

bride and groom victory pose

What were the highlights of the reception?

Eating dinner at a table setting so small that it felt like we could talk with everyone.

backyard drink table

wedding dessert table

wedding cake with fresh flowers on top

wedding tarts

backyard wedding reception set-up

candle lantern on tablebride's place setting

tented backyard wedding set-up

What was the best thing about having an intimate wedding?

Celebrating the most important day of your life with the people who mean the absolute most to you. It felt like a relaxing weekend getaway.

bride and groom first dance

groom dipping bride

father of the bride speech

bride and groom listening to speeches

groom cutting cake with a sword

groom with cake cutting sword

bride dancing

groom dancing

bride and groom dancing

bride and groom running through sparkler send-off

sparkler send-off

What advice do you have for couples who are considering an intimate wedding? 

Just make the decision and do it. Your wedding should reflect who you are and what’s important to you as a couple. Having family and friends help was really wonderful as well.

bride and groom kissing under sparkler send-off

Vendors:

Photographer: Lady & Gent Photography

Rentals: Seattle Farm Tables

Invitations: Joel Daniel Phillips