A “Backyard Bash”: Michelle and Matt’s Petaluma Wedding at Home

You know it’s going to be a good one when the couple says their vision was “elegant camp” and somehow pulls it off with wildflowers, family-style dinner tables, custom typography, and a dance floor that didn’t stop all night. Michelle and Matt’s wedding at her family’s home in Petaluma had all the heart, color, and creativity you could imagine, wrapped up in a totally relaxed backyard setting that made everyone feel at home.

As film wedding photographers in the Bay Area, we couldn’t have asked for a more fun, heartfelt day to capture. We documented it all with a mix of classic digital coverage and black and white film (yes, the grainy, gorgeous kind that hits right in the feels).

The Vibe: Colorful Camp Wedding (But Make It Chic)

Michelle described the overall vibe as “elevated, elegant camp,” and honestly… that nails it. “The dining tables were meant to feel like a camp mess hall,” she said. “My friend Paige and I sewed the ‘Matty & Michelley’ banner ourselves. I just love the homemade, backyard, couple-of-kids-partying-at-camp vibe.”

And when it came to the color palette, Michelle didn’t try to narrow it down. “I couldn’t commit to any color scheme because I love every color,” she said. “So I just chose a tone for all the colors to be in and we went with that.”

Nothing too polished, everything just right.

Two Dresses and a Bolo Tie Moment

Michelle wore two different dresses, each with its own little story. “I actually bought the Fashion Brand Company dress I wore later in the night first, because it reminded me of my mom’s wedding dress from the 80s,” she said. “But I think my mom wanted me a bit more dressed up, so I got the Jenny Yoo dress for the ceremony.”

Both dresses had that timeless feel, simple and cool without being too trendy. “I like that both felt like classic cuts and wouldn’t make our wedding feel too dated in ten years,” she said.

Matt rocked a navy suit with a bolo tie that turned out to be a sweet little theme. “We gave all of our flower boys and fathers matching bolo ties as a gift,” Michelle shared. “Matt wore the same one too. We liked the relaxed feeling of the bolo tie over a ‘fancy’ tie look. Plus the bolo ties had mine and Matt’s favorite colors in them—yellow for me and blue for Matt. I know I said ‘I like every color!’ but I’m very partial to yellow 😏”

Hilltop Vows and Petal Tosses

The ceremony took place on a hilltop behind Michelle’s childhood home, where the views rolled on for days and the floral arch looked like something out of a Dutch painting. Michelle and Matt exchanged personal vows that they hadn’t shared beforehand, which made it all the more meaningful.

“Saying our personal vows to each other was so special,” Michelle told us. “We hadn’t shared them beforehand, and it was so fun to find out that we had referenced so many of the same things.”

After a tear-filled kiss and some major cheers, guests tossed petals as the newlyweds walked back down the aisle—pure magic.

Black and White Film for the Win

We always love incorporating black and white film into our coverage, and this was one of those weddings where it truly shined. There’s just something about film that brings a softness, a texture, and a sense of nostalgia that digital can’t quite replicate. We documented their story through a mix of digital images and black and white film, which added a rich, emotive quality to their gallery. That’s the magic of working with a film wedding photographer Bay Area couples can trust…those candid, cinematic frames that make the memories feel even more alive. Michelle and Matt’s day was full of those, and the film added a layer of magic to it all.

Florals, Fonts, and Throwback Table Numbers

Michelle has a thing for ranunculus, and the florals were wild in the best way. “I love wildflowers and the Dutch-painting style of flower arrangement,” she shared. “I find the stems of ranunculus both silly and timeless, so I definitely wanted those throughout.”

One of our favorite details? The table numbers. Instead of the usual digits, each table had a photo of Michelle or Matt at that age. “Our moms saw a Pinterest post with the table numbers being the age of the bride and groom, so we did that as a little gift to them,” Michelle said. “It was super fun to hunt through all of our old photo albums and go down memory lane with our parents.”

And since Michelle used to work in letterpress printing and hand-set type, she had some serious design opinions (in the best way). “I get very particular about fonts,” she laughed. “I found the template for our menus, seating charts, and welcome sign on Etsy. I loved the serif text and color combos, and we were so stoked with how it all blended together.”

So, of course all their designs were a joyful riot of color, texture, and energy. From the floral plates to the custom signage to the candid laughter spilling out of every frame, the whole day was alive with personality.

A Wedding That Felt Like Them

Michelle put it perfectly: “Dancing with everyone, hearing the speeches, taking shots at the bar… the whole day was my favorite moment.” You can pretty much feel that big, happy energy radiating from every single photo.

Michelle and Matt’s Vendor Team

Coordination: Katrina Reed

Florals: Gray Rabbit

Photography: Onelove Photo

Video: 1920 Video

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s personal, a little playful, and full of color and connection, we’d love to be part of it. I’m a film wedding photographer in the Bay Area who specializes in documentary-style storytelling, I love giving couples the option to add in stunning black and white film photography that makes everything feel a little extra timeless. Let’s create something that feels like you!