By: lwebphoto
documentary

Celebrating Love and Nature: A West Virginia Wedding Story

If you’re dreaming of a laid-back, nature-inspired wedding filled with intention, connection, and real moments—this one’s for you.

Mollee and Jimmy hosted their intimate backyard wedding at Vandalia, their home in West Virginia, surrounded by the wild beauty they love so deeply. As a documentary wedding photographer, I had the joy of capturing not just their wedding day, but the feeling of the entire weekend: peaceful, personal, and full of meaning

The morning of their wedding, Mollee and Jimmy invited a small group of friends on a nature walk through the woods—a nod to their shared love of bird watching and wildlife photography. (Yes, binoculars were involved.) Mollee even runs an agency that creates conservation-focused travel experiences, so weaving in the natural world was more than a theme—it was a way of life.

That afternoon, I quietly documented them getting ready together in their home—laughing, helping each other, moving through the rhythm of the day without any pressure to perform. This is why I love documentary-style wedding photography: it’s about preserving the truth of the day, not just the Pinterest version of it.

Their wedding ceremony took place in an open field next to a massive rock—no arch, no aisle, just the land, their people, and their vows. Though the weather had been rainy and unseasonably cold all weekend, the skies cleared just in time. It was simple and powerful, grounded in love and rooted in place.

The reception was held in their woodshop—a space that had literally flooded the night before. But with the help of their community, it was transformed overnight into a cozy gathering spot, complete with string lights, homemade food, music, and storytelling. The kind of wedding where everyone truly shows up.

A close-up view of wild white daisies swaying in the breeze, set against a gray sky, evoking a sense of tranquility and connection to nature.
Mollee talking about their property to guests before heading out for a nature walk.
Mollee and friends walking through their field for a morning nature walk.
Mollee and Jimmy leading a nature walk the morning of their wedding.
Bride and groom hugging in the woods behind their house on a nature walk before their backyard wedding.
A person wearing grey patterned rain boots stands on a rock in a stream surrounded by ferns and greenery.
Bride and groom's dog the morning of their wedding drinking water from the creek behind their home.
Guests checking out a stream on a nature walk the morning before a west Virginia backyard wedding
Bride and groom stand inside their woodshop the morning before their backyard wedding.
Groom working on writing his vows before his backyard wedding.
Bride working on writing her vows in her bedroom before her backyard wedding.
Bride and groom getting ready together in their bedroom before their ceremony.
Bride's friend tying her dress before her backyard wedding.
Bride and groom walking from their home to their ceremony site hand in hand.
A panoramic view of a lush green landscape, featuring a large rock formation and rolling hills under a cloudy sky.
Outdoor wedding ceremony in a field next to a large rock in West Virginia
flower girl and ring bearer standing together during backyard wedding
Outdoor wedding ceremony in a field next to a large rock in West Virginia
Outdoor wedding ceremony in a field next to a large rock in West Virginia
groom kissing brides cheek next to ceremony site
An intimate wedding ceremony taking place in an open field, with the couple standing together, surrounded by family and friends in a relaxed outdoor setting.
A joyful couple standing in an open field, smiling at each other with a large rock in the background, surrounded by greenery under a partly cloudy sky.
Close-up of a couple embracing, showing their hands intertwined, wearing wedding rings, with a natural, outdoor setting in the background.
A couple sharing a loving kiss in a rustic indoor setting surrounded by wood materials and soft lighting.
A joyful moment at a wedding reception, featuring a woman holding a smiling young boy in a suit, both laughing together. Guests can be seen enjoying the celebration in the background, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere.
A couple enjoying a meal together at their wedding reception, laughing and sharing a moment at a rustic wooden table.
A joyful group of four women sharing an emotional moment during an outdoor wedding in West Virginia, surrounded by nature.
A couple walks hand in hand through a lush green field, surrounded by trees, dressed in casual wedding attire.
Close-up of lush green ferns in a forest setting, showcasing their intricate leaf patterns.
A couple walks hand-in-hand down a forest path, surrounded by lush greenery and fallen leaves, embodying a serene and intimate moment in nature.
A couple standing by a flowing stream in a forest, smiling at each other with the sun setting behind them, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere.