A Portland Wedding Photographer at Backyard Social

Weddings
Written By Stephanie Bilinsky

As a Portland wedding photographer, I live for intimate weddings that feel like the couple getting married. Kelly and Nick are thoughtful people who really value relaxing in their home with their closest people. Their backyard wedding and reception at their favorite bar was the perfect way to celebrate their relationship. 

A Portland wedding photographer documents a bride and groom walking through a hilly park.

A Candid Portland Wedding Photographer

Kelly and Nick’s wedding was exactly the kind of intimate celebration that works so well with my photography style. I focus on candid, unposed moments so that you end up with photos that feel like that moment. For their backyard wedding ceremony, Kelly and Nick skipped the first look and family formals. Instead, they wanted organic moments throughout the day. They quite literally had organic foliage and food, and their day was filled with great moments.

A wedding dress hangs on a painting in a Portland home.
A small wedding flower arrangement sits on an end table.
A dining table sits in the middle of a sunny Portland kitchen.
Two dogs stand in a doorway.
A Portland bride wears a flower crown matching her bridal bouquet.

I also love that Kelly and Nick got married in their backyard. They wanted to buy a home before getting married, which is why their backyard ceremony was extra meaningful for them. As a Portland wedding photographer, I love documenting people in the places that mean the most to them.

A bride looks over her shoulder at a Portland wedding photographer during a backyard ceremony.
Wedding guests sit on rows of benches to watch a backyard wedding ceremony.
A groom wipes away a tear while a bride reads wedding vows at a Portland wedding.
A groom puts his arm around a bride's waist as they walk away from a Portland wedding photographer.

A Laid-back Wedding Reception at Backyard Social

Nick and Kelly didn’t just get married in their backyard. They had their reception at their favorite bar down the road! First, though, we headed to the Dog Bowl. This is seriously a hidden gem in Portland. We got such organic, nature-filled portraits of the Kelly and Nick in their post-ceremony glow.

A bride and groom embrace in a Portland park.
A bride and groom hold hands in a park and laugh at a Portland wedding photographer.
A colorful charcuterie sits out for a wedding cocktail hour.
A server sets a pasta dish in front of a wedding guest.
A bride and groom talk with wedding guests at a dinner table on the patio of Backyard Social.

Once we got to Backyard Social, the party really kicked off. This bar serves charcuterie boards to burgers and everything in between. It was the perfect vibe for Nick and Kelly’s relaxed wedding celebration.

A wedding guest embraces a groom at a reception table at Backyard Social.
A wedding guest stands to take a cell phone photo.
Guests sit at long tables for a Backyard Social wedding reception.
A Portland bride twirls her wedding dress on the dance floor.
Wedding guests raise a bride and groom in chairs for the hora at a Portland wedding.

Would you like me to be your Portland wedding photographer? I can’t wait to document your day with art that imitates life. Reach out to me here!






Thanks to the vendors who contributed to this rad wedding:

Photographer: Sara Welch Photo 

Florist: Alana at Amarie Flora

Reception Venue and Catering: Backyard Social 

Stephanie Bilinsky
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