I’m gonna bet that you’ve never been to a wedding like Heather and Nic’s. Family camp in the “middle of nowhere” in West Virginia, homemade “Johnny Houses”, side-by-side rides for guests, and rain. Lots and lots of rain.

Everything took place in Stoney Bottom, WV. A very small town in the far eastern part of the state. Residents sometimes travel an hour and a half to get to “civilization”…or to go shopping. They enjoy the quiet, the relaxation and the river. They don’t have access to a lot, but they sure know how to throw a wedding. Ceremony, reception, food and decorations…it was all there…in the woods…in the “middle of nowhere.” And it was awesome!

My second shooter Callie and I drove two and a half hours to meet Heather and Nic for their wedding day and it was so worth it. Their wedding was so different, so unique, so “them.” Nic is a handy outdoors guy and Heather is an English professor. Both of their hobbies and loves were so perfectly represented throughout their wedding and I felt so inspired because of it. Reception tables covered in colorful linens underneath a canopy of forest trees? Yes! Guests in jeans, rain boots and camping attire? Yes! Beautiful, thought-out decor in the midst of nature? Yes! It was all so wonderful, and nothing like I’ve ever seen before. Definitely a photographer’s dream to me!

Heather and her maids got ready at a friend’s house not far from the ceremony and reception spot. It was nice to have running water and indoor amenities for part of the day. 🙂

How about her dress? Not your typical wedding gown, right? When a bride goes against the norm and wears something totally different, it gets an A+ in my book. Your wedding day is an opportunity to really be you, and express who you are!

Heather’s bouquet was handmade by Nic! Broaches galore!!

To stick with her Lord of the Rings inspiration, Heather wore these…

I hadn’t had a chance to photograph a broach bouquet until their wedding. I was so excited!

Heather’s mom braided her hair.

More Lord of the Rings influence in her headpiece.

Callie captured this one! Love the angle and the light. 🙂

One of my favorite pictures from the whole day!

Then we were off to the ceremony and reception spot! Side-by-side rides were the only way down…

Aren’t these guys the cutest!?! So ready and willing for pictures!

Their “man band picture.” It’s a JFP must.

And now for the wedding site! It’s amazing how they transformed this space! It did rain almost the entire time, so some things were rearranged. Thankfully, the tree cover kept us from getting completely drenched…

Nic made the bath tub sofa! Told you he was a handy man. 🙂

Another one of my favorites from the day! So wonderfully shows off the space, and what a beautiful job Heather and Nic’s team did! And yes, those are campers in the background. Guests were encouraged to camp out before, during and after the wedding!

And let me just tell you about these! Yes, they’re technically port-o-potties. But not just any port-o-potties. They are “Johnny Houses” handmade by Nic with an accompanying sink with running water! I was so impressed! And so was everyone else! No one minded the bathroom facilities for this wedding. 🙂

The guys hung out in a camper in the final moments before the ceremony. What a great way to just “be guys” on a wedding day!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many umbrellas in one place! I love how everything went on despite the weather conditions!

What a wedding party! They were wet, a little chilly and a little unsure of how the rest of the day would go. But they stood in the forest for pictures anyways!

Thanks for this casual, candid capture, Callie!

MORE reception details! Here’s their cake stand! Homemade, of course.

And see this building…it’s a cabin…built by Heather and Nic. Goodness they’re impressive!

The rain stopped in time for pictures by the river! It wasn’t the easiest hike, but we made it. 🙂

Not many couples have pictures like this from their wedding day!

A most favorite from their day! The black and white, her hair, the trail…love it!!!

This wedding and this couple, they just inspired me! They inspired me to shoot a little differently, a little more “moody” and creative. I love weddings and couples like this! 🙂

And what’s a wedding at the family camp without a campfire? 🙂

Quite a wedding, right!?! It was like a Fourth of July, music festival and backyard wedding all tied into one…and like I said above, it was awesome! Thanks a million, Heather and Nic, for such a wonderful experience! And for not letting the rain get you down! You put together a beautiful event with so much creativity and I’m so glad I was able to capture that for you. I think you gave all your guests a very special day to remember for years to come!