Bellingham Wedding Photographer - Intimate Backyard Wedding

Weddings
Written By Sara Welch

Hillary and Cullen are grounded, genuine humans with a creative flair. I was so stoked when they chose me to be their Bellingham wedding photographer. Their film photography and Super 8 film show the warmth and openness that characterized their beautiful backyard wedding.

A dog runs past a bride and groom who are exchanging vows in a backyard wedding in Bellingham.

A Bellingham Wedding Photographer for Hillary and Cullen

The whole atmosphere for Hillary and Cullen’s backyard wedding couldn’t have been better. The weather was perfect. Everyone was welcoming, loving, and warm. The couple moved from Portland to Bellingham during the pandemic. Hillary loves collecting Mid-century Modern furniture and adopting dogs. Their wedding featured plenty of both. 

Polaroid photos sit on a shelf in front of a vintage mirror.
A bride sits on the edge of a bed wearing white sandals with her ankles crossed before her backyard wedding.
The bride's grandmother opens her arms in excitement when she sees the bride in her dress.
A Bellingham wedding photographer photographs a bride putting on her engagement ring.
The bride's mother holds her hand and smiles at the camera for the Bellingham wedding photographer.
A wedding guest holds a small black dog in her lap.

The whole day felt like all of their other favorite days together except with more loved ones and decadent food. Before their wedding, Hillary and Cullen told me that their version of the perfect day is laying around in their sunny backyard while they drink wine and throw balls for their dogs. As a Bellingham wedding photographer, I felt every bit of that hominess at this elevated backyard celebration. It had the ultimate classy garden party vibes.

The groom stands beside a flowering tree smiling when he sees the bride at the backyard wedding in Bellingham.
A bride's father kisses her cheek as he walks her up the aisle.
A groom holds a dog during a backyard wedding ceremony photographed by a Bellingham wedding photographer.
A bride wipes away a tear as she reads her vows beside a flowering tree in a backyard wedding.
Elderly wedding guests smile as they watch the backyard ceremony.
A couple embraces at the end of a backyard wedding ceremony in Bellingham.

Documenting the Wedding on Film and Super 8

Hillary and Cullen’s families worked hard to get the backyard prepped and looking beautiful for their wedding day. It was really important to Cullen and Hillary to get genuine photos with their family members, including Hillary’s grandmother. I got some incredible moments of them together on film and Super 8.

A bride and groom step onto their back porch with two small dogs following them.
A charcuterie plate sits on a table between a bride and groom at a backyard wedding photographed by a Bellingham wedding photographer.
Cullen stands behind the chair of an elderly family member.
Hillary embraces her grandmother beside a flowering tree after the backyard wedding.
A Bellingham wedding photographer takes a picture of a bride holding a bouquet to her face.
A laughing woman holds a toddler on her lap.

As a Bellingham wedding photographer, my favorite images from Hillary and Cullen’s wedding day are the ones we didn’t plan. Neighbors passing by stopped to chat over the fence. Their beloved pups lounged in the backyard like it was any other day. Everyone enjoyed the food, which was just SO GOOD. You can really feel these moments when you look at them on 35mm film and Super 8. You can see Hillary and Cullen’s Super 8 wedding film here.

Wedding guests gather around cocktail tables after a backyard wedding in Bellingham.
A wedding guest sips a cocktail.
A family member stands with hands on Cullen's shoulders during dinner.
A bride and groom listen to speeches after dinner in a white tent.
A bride and groom hold their dogs on their front porch and kiss after their backyard wedding in Bellingham.

Would you like me to be your Bellingham wedding photographer? I would love to document your day with artistic film photos. Inquire here!








Thank you to the vendors who made magic at Hillary and Cullen’s wedding:
Florist: Aziza Seykota at Maple Petal Design 
Cake: Saltadena Bakery 
Hair + Makeup: Tamara Cantu for Beauty by Elizabeth Marie
Hillary’s ring: VRAI 
Cullen’s ring: Fairhaven Gold 
Catering: A Taste of Elegance

Sara Welch http://www.sarawelchphoto.com/
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