Josh & Lisa’s backyard winter wedding

What’s intimate and maybe a little bit cold but full of love? A winter wedding in a backyard!!

Remember these two from their engagement session with the adorable Josie last year? They tied the knot this weekend for wedding celebrations part 1. They’re still planning on having a big party at The Bradford next year, but didn’t want to wait forever for the marriage part. And so, like so many of us in the time of Covid, they pivoted. <insert Friends gif here>

Lisa’s dad’s backyard in Apex, NC was the perfect venue for part 1 of celebrations. He has a gorgeous outdoor fireplace that gave off the perfect winter wedding vibes, and they even had some of those awesome heaters that you see at restaurant patios. There were bedazzled masks and elbow bumps to go with the cake and champagne (and Duck Donuts!) and to top it all off, Donovan’s Dish knocked it out of the park (as usual) with dinner.

A little peek at this perfect intimate wedding celebration:

By the time we arrived, Lisa was finished with everything but putting on her dress, so she just hung around playing Animal Crossing while looking super glam. She had changed her Villager into a wedding dress too. Perfection!

Meanwhile, Josh put on his best socks, which just so happen to feature the couple’s dog Josie.

Lisa & Josh wrote each other letters to read before the ceremony, and there were some tears and laughter both upstairs and downstairs.

Josie didn’t get to come to the wedding, but Lisa’s dad & stepmom have two dogs of their own, so they made sure everyone got plenty of puppy snuggle time.

Everyone say hi to past Kivus & Camera bride Claire, who face-timed in for pre-putting on the dress love and encouragement. It majorly sucks to not be able to have all your favorite people at your wedding because of a pandemic, but at least we’ve got stuff like face-time.

A first look with your dad is always a great idea!

And then it was time to head out for the ceremony. Look at how happy everyone looks – the emotion at these intimate weddings is turned up to 11.

Even though it was a bit chilly, the weather was gorgeous! Just a couple puffy white clouds in an otherwise sunny sky.

I say it all the time, but I love these moments right after the ceremony. Even the calmest people get a little bit anxious before the ceremony because it’s the main event and all eyes are on you, but once you’re through it and you’re married to your person, you can’t help but smile your broadest smile.

“What? You said ‘all of Lisa’s family’ and I am definitely part of this family”

After some group portraits, we headed to a nearby park for some golden hour portraits of the newlyweds.

I love this next one.

Back at the house, everyone was getting ready for Lisa & Josh’s return and entrance.

After dinner, there were a couple toasts, and then a few dances. That fireplace made the best backdrop.

And then cake and donuts because why limit yourself to just one sweet treat?

And bubbly, because it is a celebration, no matter how small the guest list.

Sparklers & a goodnight kiss by the fire are the perfect nightcap.

Thanks & congrats y’all!!

We believe that love is bright and colorful, and your wedding photographs should be bright and colorful too.

Kivus & Camera are Raleigh Wedding photographers who create bold, colorful, magical memories of your wedding day with beautiful, artistic portraits AND enthusiastic, genuine moments. Your unique love story deserves to be told through unforgettable, breath-taking photographs that stand out from the crowd. Kivus & Camera love creating that magic. After all, as past bride Courtney says, we’re photography sorcerers.

And though we call ourselves Raleigh wedding photographers, we definitely photograph Durham weddings, Chapel Hill weddings, Cary weddings, etc. We’re all over the Triangle area, and we’re happy to head to the beach or mountains and even to places outside of North Carolina! Just let us know where your love story is headed.

Want to know more? Check out more of our images or learn more about our nerdy selves or just send us a note! Can’t wait to hear from you.