Jordan & Kevin’s Wildly Joyful, Sentimental Summer Camp Celebration

Jordan and Kevin’s backyard wedding in Moodus, Connecticut was the kind of day that makes you want to grab people by the shoulders and say, THIS. This is why weddings are amazing.

This wasn’t just a backyard. This was Jordan’s grandfather’s property, a place that used to be a summer camp decades ago, complete with a pond, a rowboat, a bridge, and towering pine trees that made the entire day feel like its own little world. From the moment I arrived, it felt less like a wedding venue and more like a love-soaked retreat built entirely around joy, family, and meaning.

As their photographer, I was obsessed immediately.

Getting Ready with Trust, Tenderness, and a Little Rule-Bending

One of my favorite moments of the entire day happened before the ceremony even began. Jordan is the only person who can do Kevin’s hair. However, Kevin was fully committed to not seeing her before the ceremony. Solution? His mom led him into the room, Kevin shut his eyes, and Jordan did his hair while he stood there completely trusting her.

I mean… come on. If that doesn’t tell you everything about their relationship, I don’t know what does.

Right after, they shared a private first touch where they read their vows to each other without seeing one another. It was quiet, emotional, and incredibly powerful. You could feel how wildly in love they are. The kind of moment that makes your chest ache in the best way.

A Backyard Wedding Ceremony in Moodus, Connecticut That Had Everyone Crying

The ceremony took place right by the pond, with the arch perfectly framing the fountain behind it. Jordan’s grandfather officiated, which somehow made everything even more emotional than it already was.

They included a traditional hand-fasting ceremony, and then Kevin did something that completely shattered everyone in attendance. During the ceremony, he gave necklaces to Jordan’s two daughters to symbolize officially adopting them. There was not a dry eye anywhere. It was profound, tender, and so full of love it felt like the air shifted.

Family Photos, Three Dogs, and The Best Kinda Chaos

Immediately after the ceremony, Jordan and Kevin’s three dogs joined family photos, including Beemo, their one-eyed pup and absolute icon. The energy? Pure chaos. Dogs everywhere. Kids laughing. People shouting names. Zero stiffness. Zero perfection. Just real, joyful family energy exploding in every direction.

These are some of my favorite family photos I’ve ever taken.

Rain, Running, and Choosing Joy Anyway

As the afternoon went on, the sky got darker and darker. We squeezed in a few quick couple portraits before the skies opened up with the heaviest rainfall of the year. Everyone ran. Kevin pulled Jordan under his jacket. They laughed the entire time.

They spent most of the night under cover, but later, once the dance floor was already popping, I asked if they’d be down for a few more photos under the floodlights and string lights. Almost immediately, the rain came back even harder.

This time? They didn’t run.

They danced in it. Spun in it. Soaked it in. Fully embraced the moment, completely unbothered, completely in love. It was electric.

A Reception That Felt Like a Summer Camp Fever Dream

The reception felt like a summer camp reunion thrown by people who really know how to throw a party. Two tents were set up, one for dining and chatting, another for dancing with a live band. There was a separate kids’ tent with a projector playing movies and classic theater snacks. A fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs glowed as night fell, and string lights wrapped the entire property.

The decor leaned woodland and witchy, with spell jars on every table filled with elements meant to manifest things like prosperity, laughter, happiness, luck, and intimacy. It felt intentional, magical, and so deeply them.

And then… Kevin took the stage.

Kevin, who is a musician, played with members of his band alongside The Sulls, and suddenly this wedding turned into a full-blown emo and rock concert. People kicked off their shoes. People were headbanging. There was moshing. I am not exaggerating when I say this was one of the best wedding dance floors I have ever witnessed.

Why Backyard Weddings in Moodus, Connecticut Are Pure Magic

Jordan and Kevin’s wedding was living proof that backyard weddings aren’t a “lesser” option. They are a bold, intentional, joy-forward choice.

This day was sentimental, family-centered, wildly fun, and completely unapologetic about what mattered most. Love. Connection. Presence. Joy in all its messy, loud, beautiful forms.

If you’re dreaming of a backyard wedding in Moodus, Connecticut, especially on family property, let this be your permission slip. You don’t need a traditional venue to create something unforgettable. You need intention, people you love, and the courage to do it your way.

As a Connecticut wedding photographer, backyard weddings like Jordan and Kevin’s are the ones I think about long after the gallery is delivered

This wedding was one of many I’ve photographed across New England! Check out my complete list of New England wedding venues I’ve shot at for more ideas.

Wanna check out more Connecticut venues? Here’s a blog post featuring a bunch that I’ve worked at!

Vendors

Photographer: Andrea Van Orsouw Photography
Florist: Ballek’s Garden Center
Hair & Makeup: Blissful Beauty
Catering: The Home Kitchen Catering
Live Band: The Sull’s

Frequently Asked Questions About Backyard Weddings in Connecticut

Are backyard weddings a good idea in Connecticut? When done with intention, backyard weddings, especially on family property, can be some of the most meaningful celebrations I’ve ever photographed. You’re not renting someone else’s space, you’re bringing your people into a place that already holds history and meaning. Jordan and Kevin’s wedding on her grandfather’s former summer camp property in Moodus, Connecticut is living proof of what that kind of connection adds to a day.

What do you need to plan a backyard wedding in Connecticut? The essentials: tenting for weather coverage (Connecticut summers can shift fast), a reliable catering setup, portable restrooms if needed, a solid sound system, and good lighting for the evening. Having a separate space for kids — like Jordan and Kevin’s movie tent — is a detail that guests with children will genuinely appreciate and remember.

What happens if it rains at a backyard wedding? You lean into it. Jordan and Kevin got hit with the heaviest rainfall of the year on their wedding day. They ran, they laughed, and later, when the dance floor was already packed, they went back outside and danced in it anyway. Rain doesn’t ruin a wedding. How you respond to it becomes part of the story.

Can you do a hand-fasting ceremony at a backyard wedding in Connecticut? Absolutely, and it’s one of the most beautiful ceremony additions I’ve seen. A backyard setting is actually perfect for it. There’s no venue coordinator rushing you through a timeline, which means you can let the ceremony breathe and include meaningful rituals without feeling squeezed.

Do you photograph backyard weddings in Connecticut? Yes! they’re some of my favorites. The intimacy, the personal details, the freedom to do exactly what you want… it all adds up to a day that feels completely true. Let’s talk about yours!