Bride and groom embrace under shady trees in a backyard wedding.

A Summer Backyard Wedding in Connecticut: Diana & Cameron

July 5, 2025

Some weddings feel like a slow exhale—familiar, heartfelt, and full of meaning. Diana and Cameron grew up in Connecticut but now call Los Angeles home, and their summer backyard wedding was a beautiful reunion of past and present. Held at the Roger Sherman Inn in New Canaan, CT, this laid-back June celebration wove together garden blooms, vintage details, and lush pastel florals. It was nostalgic and elegant, soft and intentional—every moment infused with the kind of love that lingers. They’ve literally known each other since they were kids. As their extremely lucky wedding photographer, I got to hear the stories of the childhood crushes and the beautiful life they’re building now. It was a sweet and effortlessly cool tribute to their love, and a reminder that rom-com style love stories still exist in the wild. 🤍

A bride and groom kiss under string lights with champagne during an outdoor cocktail hour.

A bride in a wedding dress and veil stands outdoors holding a bouquet, with her back to the camera in black and white.

A white two-story house with black shutters, a brick chimney, and ivy growing up the front porch, surrounded by greenery on a sunny day.

A sunlit room with sheer curtains, a round table holding vases and bouquets, wooden floors, and a chair near the window.

Flat lay of white pointed-toe bridal shoes, a sheer veil with small flowers, a delicate necklace, and a perfume bottle arranged on a wooden floor.

Floral-themed wedding invitations and cards are arranged on a wooden floor, surrounded by pastel flowers and illustrated matchboxes.

An egagement ring is placed between the heels of two white slingback wedding shoes, which are positioned back to back on a windowsill in natural light.

A groom stands in front of a mirror adjusting his tie, wearing a dress shirt and trousers in a bedroom in a black and white image.

A bride in a puff-sleeved wedding dress stands in a bright, softly lit room with a bed, a round table, and flowers in the background.

A bride in a low-key white dress holds a bouquet facing her groom in a light suit, standing outdoors on grass.

A groom in a light blue suit with a pale pink tie stands next to a gray armchair, adjusting his jacket and looking to the side.

A married couple, dressed in formal attire, walks hand in hand on grass toward dense trees. The image is in black and white.

A bride stands indoors near a window, holding perfume bottle, with blurred flowers in the foreground.

Four white columns with flower arrangements stand on a grassy lawn, with a house and trees in the background. The image is in black and white.

A couple dressed in wedding attire stands facing each other and holding hands beneath a large tree in an outdoor setting.

A bride and groom kiss outdoors at a wedding ceremony, with guests seated in the background and greenery surrounding the area.

Wedding guests sit on wooden chairs arranged outdoors for an event, with greenery and trees in the background.

A couple stands facing each other, holding hands, during an outdoor wedding ceremony with an officiant and floral arrangements, surrounded by seated guests.

Connecticut summer backyard wedding stacey vandas photography 35

A bride and groom share a kiss outdoors during their wedding ceremony, surrounded by floral arrangements.

A couple embraces outdoors; the woman's face is partially hidden by a blurry bouquet of flowers she holds in front of them.

A couple dressed in formal attire stands on grass, embracing and kissing, with the woman holding a bouquet behind her back. The scene is outdoors and photographed in black and white.

A bride and groom walk hand in hand on grass; the bride holds a bouquet aloft. Empty chairs are arranged in rows outdoors, string lights are overhead.

An older man stands with a microphone giving a speech to a seated bride and groom at their wedding reception, while guests listen and smile.

A bride and her friend smile and hold drinks at an outdoor cocktail hour, with other guests socializing in the background.

A group of people in summer wedding attire stand outdoors on a stone patio, holding handheld fans and conversing in daylight.

Three people dressed formally play cornhole on a grassy lawn, with one person tossing a bean bag toward the board.

Round dining table set with plates, glasses, and candles beneath a modern chandelier, with a framed portrait on the beige wall in the background.

Two orange cocktails with ice and lime wedges sit on a table next to a stack of white napkins with a cat illustration.

A bride shows her ring to guests at an outdoor wedding reception, with the groom standing beside her and people gathered around.

A vinyl record and its sleeve for Talking Heads' "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" are displayed on a white mat with signatures for a unique wedding guestbook. The sleeve shows images of various hands.

A groom and bride in wedding attire stand outdoors, smiling and holding up their left hands to show rings, celebrating their wedding.

A maid of honor in a floral dress holds a pink cocktail while standing among other wedding guests at an outdoor cocktail hour.

Four light blue bean bags for a custom wedding cornhole lawn game are arranged on green grass next to the corner of a wooden cornhole board..

A bride in a white dress and veil walks up a spiral staircase behind a man in a suit, with a historical painting on the wall above them.

A blurred image of a round dining table set with plates, glasses, cutlery, woven chargers, and a floral centerpiece with a table number.

A round table set with glassware, candles, and small floral arrangements, creating a softly lit and elegant dinner setting.

A bride and groom dance together at their wedding reception while seated guests watch and smile in the background.

A round table covered with a white cloth, decorated with flowers and lit candles with light trails, sits in front of a window and two wooden chairs.

A pair of yellow sunglasses and a photo booth strip are on a white tablecloth next to a dessert plate with a gold spoon.

Bride and maid of honor dance together barefoot at the reception while others watch and smile.

A round table set with drinks, glassware, a fork and knife, a white clutch with pearls, sunglasses, and napkins under soft, warm lighting.

Three women pose together in front of a blurred, circular light background; one woman kisses another on the cheek while the third smiles and hugs them.

A table displays a bottle of Maker’s Mark, grenadine, pink and yellow sunglasses, a framed cocktail menu, and a floral arrangement.

A bride holds a drink and smiles while dancing at an indoor reception, with warm, blurred lights in the background.

Heart-shaped wedding cake with “Just Married!” written on top, a slice cut out and served on a plate with two forks, flowers and napkins nearby on a wooden table.

A round table set with glasses, cups, cutlery, menus, and floral centerpieces, with blurred yellow lights creating streaks across the image.

A bride in a white dress and blue sunglasses looks over her shoulder and smiles at a reception with tables, lights, and guests in the background.

People dressed in formal attire dance and socialize at an indoor reception with warm lighting and blurred motion from moving chandelier lights.

A round dinner table set with drinks, candles, glasses, flowers, and plates; some candles are blurred, indicating motion or a long exposure.

A couple embraces on a wooden deck at night under string lights, with empty chairs and a table nearby.

Scattered white flower petals are on a wooden floor around a dining table with wooden chairs; a plaid jacket hangs on one chair.

A couple in formal attire kisses on a dance floor surrounded by other people, with motion blur and warm lights creating a dynamic effect.

An Intimate Backyard Ceremony Beneath the Trees

D & C didn’t want anything too extravagant—just love, laughter, and the people who know them best. With handwritten vows, an open-air ceremony under string lights, and handcrafted lawn games, the day flowed as naturally as a summer evening should.

A bride and groom kiss on a porch with trees and golden light in the background.

Summer Wedding Details with Personality

As the sun dipped below the treetops and Diana and Cameron twirled through their first dance, the whole evening shimmered at this early summer backyard wedding. Every detail, from fun ’90s sunglasses as party favors for the dance floor, to hand-drawn illustrated invitations and menus, to West Coast cool-girl florals, told a story of love that bridges coasts and decades.

Documentary Wedding Photography for An Intimate Celebration

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels like a page from your own storybook—intimate, intentional, and full of heart—I’d be honored to capture it.

💌 Let’s document your day with soul. Inquire here!

xo, Stacey

Vendors

Photography – Stacey Vandas Photography, @staceyvandas on Instagram

Planning – A La Carte Events

Venue & Catering: @rogershermaninn.ct
Cake: @thecakeboxofct
Dress: @andforlove
Makeup & Hair: @kendall.bennewitz, @stylesonb
DJ & Photobooth: @lightscameradjs
Flowers: @freshflowerbar
Rentals: @gatherandlounge, @elitepbstentsevents
Paper Goods: @__likethebird
Second Shooter: @fatimaizzatphotography
Groom: @suitsupply
Wedding Boutique: @mae.bridal

Stacey Vandas

Stacey is a documentary film and digital wedding photographer creating timeless photography for intentional and artful couples, with a focus on storytelling, creative composition, and candid moments. She is based in the Midwest and travels worldwide to capture moments and memories that make you say, “I love this picture of us.”

staceyvandasphoto.com

stacey

meet

Stacey is a wedding and elopement photographer based in St. Louis, Missouri and traveling internationally to document heartfelt love stories for artful couples on film & digital. My favorite things include: Taylor Swift, a good cry, and pictures that make you feel timeless.

A Summer Backyard Wedding in Connecticut: Diana & Cameron

An Intimate Backyard Ceremony Beneath the Trees

Summer Wedding Details with Personality

Documentary Wedding Photography for An Intimate Celebration

Vendors

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