If you really squint, you can pretend that this blog post about Bella + Forrest’s bohemian backyard wedding is a celebration of their first anniversary, and not that we’re literally a year behind on blog posts. Part of the reason we’re so behind is that we’re slammed with work, but part of it is that there were so many original and touching details at this wedding that it was hard to know where to start.

At our first meeting, Bella and Forrest (maybe the sweetest High School Sweethearts we’ve ever met) described their wedding vision as a “Mumford and Sons music video.” The groom and groomsmen wore mismatched blue suits and suspenders and vintage floral ties, the bride wore a cream dress with crochet lace details and her bridesmaids were in shades of blue with even more lace. The couple, who are just as over-the-moon for each other as these photos suggest, were married under a giant oak tree in Bella’s mother’s backyard, surrounded by their closest family and friends, who danced and laughed and ate wood-fired pizza into the night.

The most touching parts of the day, though, were the small moments of ceremony. Bella and Forrest bought a vintage rug to be married on. They placed it on the dirt that day, then took it home as a functional and romantic remembrance of the wedding. During their vows, they had a ring-warming ceremony, where their blue-ribbon-wrapped rings were passed guest-to-guest so that everyone in attendance could bless them (the rings and the couple) with love. In place of rice or confetti, Bella and Forrest opted for sachets of lavender, the contents of which their guests showered them with during the recessional.

It’s just impossible to capture everything wonderful about that day in one post. Other highlights included a Celtic hand-fasting, the bride and groom performing an Adele song for their guests, a subtle Harry Potter nod, huge amethyst crystals, a bridal bouquet full of berries and dark blooms, dreamy French braids and moody, dramatic portraits. It was pure magic to be a part of this wedding. Thank you, Bella and Forrest, for having us!