Charlottesville, VA

Haley & Christian’s Charlottesville Backyard Wedding: A Day Full of Heart, Family, and Timeless Emotion

Some wedding days feel instantly like home, warm, personal, overflowing with meaning, and Haley and Christian’s Charlottesville backyard wedding was exactly that. Set on Christian’s family property, their day blended tenderness, heritage, and lighthearted joy in the most beautiful way. Their only requests? Make it personal, light, and loving. And that’s exactly how every moment unfolded.

One thing I loved most about photographing their day was how unhurried it felt. Weddings on private property move with a different rhythm. They create quiet pockets of emotion and familiar spaces full of memories, and a sense that you’re documenting not just a wedding day, but the story of a family.

A Ceremony on the Little Bridge

Friends and family gathered on the lawn as Haley and Christian met on the wooden bridge, surrounded by soft florals and fall color just beginning to peek through. Meanwhile, the light filtered through the trees as they exchanged vows. A moment Haley had been most excited for, and you could feel every guest leaning in as their faces lit up with emotion.

Their ceremony felt intimate in a way that only a family property can. While standing on a bridge Christian likely crossed a hundred times growing up, they created a new memory in a place already full of them.

The Beauty of “Capture It As It Happens” Wedding Photography

From the start, Haley and Christian shared that they preferred candids, real reactions, small interactions, and the quiet moments in between. This set the tone for the day, and it allowed us to document their wedding exactly as it unfolded: naturally, honestly, and without forcing things to look or feel perfect.

It’s a style I love because years from now, the photos will still feel like them. Not trendy. Not stiff. Just real.

Whether it was Christian’s smile softening every time he looked at Haley, or the way she instinctively reached for his hand during portraits, the most meaningful images came from simply letting them be fully present.

A Day Filled With Family, Laughter & Generations of Pettygroves

The backyard became a gathering place for generations—grandparents, siblings, in-laws, and nieces and nephews running under the trees. The wedding party of fourteen brought energy and joy, and every Pettygrove in attendance made sure Christian and Haley felt surrounded.

Inside the guest house and parlor, Haley got ready with her bridesmaids in oversized shirts, a mix of excitement and calm filling the space. Meanwhile, the reception tent was styled in peacock blue, gold, and white, rich tones that felt elevated yet classic.

And later as the sun dipped lower, the celebration only grew.

A Reception Full of Personality

From a pops-themed bottle moment to cutting the cake in silly glasses, the night was full of playful touches that made their reception authentically theirs. One of the most unforgettable moments came during the Hora—a nod to Haley’s Jewish heritage—as friends lifted her into the air on a chair inside the family barn. Laughter echoed off the wooden beams, and the joy was electric.

And because they wanted the sparkler moment without ending the party early, they chose a mock exit at 7:45 PM—one last glowing photo before jumping right back into the reception.

What Made This Wedding Truly Timeless

Haley and Christian hoped their photos wouldn’t feel trendy twenty years from now. And honestly that became my favorite part of documenting their day. From the classic color palette to the family-centered location, their wedding was built on the things that never go out of style:

• Love expressed in small moments
• Generations gathering in one place
• Emotional reactions and happy tears
• Family traditions old and new
• The comfort of being fully yourself

It’s proof that when a wedding day is rooted in connection, the photographs become an heirloom.

Your wedding photos should feel like your love—authentic, emotional, and forever worth remembering. If you’re planning a celebration that feels like “you,” I’d be honored to capture it.

Contact us here, and check out more of our wedding photography, whether you’re in Virginia, Florida, and beyond!

Vendor Team

Venue — Private family estate, Charlottesville, VA
Wedding Planner — Chloe Deal, @gooseeventsandco
Florals — Wild Wish Florals, @wild.wish.vb
Catering — 1933 Catering, @1933_catering
Hair & Makeup — Avenue 42 Salon, @ave42salon
Dress Designer — Guardiola Bridal, @guardiolabridal