Intimate Queer Backyard Wedding Celebration in Bedford Hills, NY
Landon + Lauren
Golden August light filtered through towering trees as guests arrived at a cottage-style estate in Bedford Hills for Lauren and Landon's celebration. The couple had already exchanged vows at NYC City Hall in January 2025, and this gorgeous summer evening was about something different—gathering their closest friends and family for an afternoon of pure joy, laughter, and connection on Lauren's sister's sprawling property. This wasn't your traditional wedding reception. There was no formal ceremony, no structured timeline demanding everyone's attention at specific moments. Instead, Lauren and Landon created something that felt more like the best backyard party you've ever attended, where the focus was entirely on celebrating love and bringing people together in the most relaxed way possible.
The day started casually—so casually, in fact, that I arrived to find the couple still getting ready. True to form (and thanks to my event planner mom preparing me for moments like these), I rolled up my sleeves and helped Lauren's aunt finish setting up decorations around the property. There's something special about those pre-celebration moments when everything is still coming together, and the anticipation builds with every string light hung and every table arranged. Once Lauren and Landon emerged ready for their day, we began with couples portraits around the estate. But these weren't stiff, posed photos. Instead, we captured them being completely themselves—spinning each other around, dissolving into laughter between shots, and radiating the kind of easy joy that comes from two people who genuinely bring out the best in each other. The rolling hills and tree-lined property provided endless beautiful backdrops, though honestly, their energy would have made a parking lot look magical.
As guests began arriving for the celebration, the estate transformed into the perfect space for mingling and play. Cornhole boards, ring toss, giant checkers, and giant beer pong were scattered across the lawn, giving everyone—from kids to adults—something fun to engage with. Children explored the property's hills and discovered a tiny cottage that looked straight out of a fairytale, while adults settled into conversations under the shade of ancient trees. The weather blessed the celebration with that perfect late-summer magic: golden light, cool air, and not a cloud in sight. Everything about the setting felt intimate and personal, from the cottage-style main house to the way the landscape seemed to embrace everyone gathered there.
As evening approached, a violet purple food truck called El Gallo Negro rolled up the driveway, and the casual vibe remained as guests lined up for delicious bowls, tacos, and quesadillas. No formal dinner service, no assigned seating—just great food enjoyed wherever people felt comfortable gathering. The celebration wound down and Lauren and Landon raised their glasses to thank everyone for joining them, with special gratitude to Lauren's sister and brother-in-law for opening their beautiful home for this special day. We ended the evening with one massive group portrait—every single guest gathered together, a perfect snapshot of the community that came together to celebrate this couple's love.
What made Lauren and Landon's celebration truly special wasn't elaborate details or traditional wedding elements. It was their willingness to create a day that felt authentically like them—relaxed, joyful, and focused entirely on bringing people together. Their backyard reception proved that the best celebrations aren't about following a formula but about creating space for genuine connection, laughter, and love to unfold naturally under the trees.
