Aurora Backyard Wedding | Lauren and Ersan

Lauren and Ersan’s backyard wedding in Aurora was a small, intimate affair that featured their closest family. Everyone was warm and friendly and immediately welcomed me in as part of the celebration.

Lauren’s parents hosted the wedding in the back yard of the house that Lauren had grown up in and it was a beautiful way to honor their family history and the new family that they were creating together.

Shortly after I arrived, a few additional family members showed up and together they helped put the finishing touches on the wedding preparations. At one point a large group of them were steaming table cloths together. And in a beautiful circle, it was noted later during toasts that this kind of relationship was really special, because not not many families could see a group of people who had never met come together around a common goal.

Soon it was time for Ersan to get dressed, followed shortly after by Lauren. It was important to Lauren that all the women in the family were there to help her get dressed.

We did a first look in the beautifully decorated backyard followed by a few photos of Lauren and Ersan.

Then we all headed inside to prepare for the ceremony.

The nine guests were seated on the back patio while Ersan‘s parents walked him down the aisle. Lauren followed with her parents. Lauren sister-in-law Marisol officiated the ceremony.

Both Lauren and Ersan wrote their own individual vows, but finished with a joint vow to each other. Their niece was the ring bearer, and she carried their rose gold rings in an ancient China bowl decorated with bluebirds and cherry blossoms (if you don’t remember why cherry blossoms were so important, go back and read their engagement story!).

After their first kiss as husband and wife Lauren and Ersan decided to share their first dance on the patio in front of their altar. They wrapped each other up, taking in the moment of solidifying their marriage and were surrounded by tears and love from their family.

While we wandered the property for a couple photos, the family jumped into action and re-stage the patio for their casual, yet elegant, lunch celebration. Once the tables were completely set, the space felt intimate and connected and allowed all of the guests to easily share conversation stories and toasts with one another.

In typical Colorado fashion, the storm clouds rolled in right as lunch was beginning and the temperature dropped. But the rain stayed at bay, and each family member took turns standing up to share a story a tribute, or some advice with Lauren and Ersan. Almost every moving toast included some tears, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude that these two found each other at the point in their life when they did.

After lunch ( which highlighted some Turkish food from Ersan‘s family culture), Lauren and Ersan casually cut their wedding cake. Then the family changed into comfortable shoes and lost their suit jackets so they could hit the backyard for some lawn games. Right as they brought out the games the afternoon sunshine returned. 

I finished the day watching Lauren and Ersan and their family toss bean bags during corn hole and throw frisbees around the yard. The day ended with hugs.

I can’t tell you how good it felt to be able to hug couples again. It was a beautiful way to kick off my 2021 wedding season and I am honored to have been able to tell Lauren and Ersan’s beautiful story!

Vendors:
Catering: Maggiano’s and Bosphorus
Florals: Wood and silk flowers from Etsy
Attire: Cocomelody and Indochino
Hair and Make-up: Kiss and Makeup + Tangles Hair by Stacy
Bakery: Nothing Bundt Cakes

Planning your own backyard wedding? I love connected and intimate family weddings. Let’s chat about your backyard wedding vision!