The couple walked blindfolded down the aisle at their backyard wedding

Offbeat Couple: Leah and Michelle

Date and Location of this backyard wedding: 05/14/2022 in Woodland Hills, California

Leah and Michelle were set to be married on May 14th, 2020… but like so many couples, the pandemic changed their plans. The couple decided to have a surprise drive-by wedding in 2020. As Michelle explains:

Our 2020 wedding was a private backyard wedding with the family only and our close friend officiated. The drive-by wedding was actually a surprise for Leah! We orchestrated the whole thing timed to perfection with a friend who witnessed the wedding giving the go signal to the front of the line of the drive by line. They all started honking like crazy once we kissed after finishing our vows and were pronounced married. Leah had no idea — I led her to the front of the house where everyone started to drive by. People came from near and far. It was emotional and a really great surprise. 

Fast-forward two years: they were finally able to have their dreamy, whimsical Jewish backyard wedding on May 14th, 2022, surrounded by their friends and family! And you've got to see why they walked down the aisle blindfolded…

We love that the couple DIY'd so much of their special day: Leah built the bar, chuppah, and welcome sign…

…while Michelle, a floral designer (Something’s Blooming Los Angeles) created the bouquet, the lovely table flora, and the flowers on the cake! As she explains:

Our 2020 wedding had basically illuminated the fact that I was gifted at floral design. It was the first time I had designed flowers in that capacity.

By the 2022 ceremony, I was educated, experienced and eager to design my very own dream garden-inspired wedding for me and my wife.

I made the wearables in advance: corsages for our daughters, hair pieces for me and my youngest daughter, boutonnieres for my wife, Leah and son as well as the unique and most talked about piece of the evening, the flower tattoo I wore!

I designed & made the centerpieces and all other vased arrangements two days in advance of the wedding and got up early the morning of the wedding to design the chuppah. I gave myself a cut off time to shower and switch into bride mode! I passed off the flowers hanging from the trees to someone else LOL

Now let's have a look at the fabulous backyard wedding dress and suit

UGH, we could just eat these two up. SO MUCH LOVE

Now, let's talk about the blindfolded aisle walk at this backyard wedding…

We've seen blindfolded first looks, but this is the first time we've seen a couple walk down the aisle blindfolded! Each bride walked down their backyard wedding aisle blindfolded, having their children lead them down the aisle and stand with them during the ceremony, to signify the blending of the two families.

The couple walked down the aisle without seeing each other (or anyone else!) until they reached the chuppah, making for a suspenseful treat… and their guests got to see their reactions when the blindfolds were removed!

A quick look at the phenomenal rings at this backyard wedding

Michelle shared the story of the rings with us:

When I was a young child, I remember playing with my mommy’s wedding band from when she was married to my dad. It was a beautiful Tiffany and Co. Flexible Diamond Platinum Eternity Band exactly like this:

My father passed away in 2007. Over time, my mother took the ring a part into links to make other memorable pieces of jewelry. She gave me a link and a half to create a wedding band for myself when she knew Leah and I would be getting married. Having part of my mom and dad in my wedding band meant so much to me. Especially to keep part of my dad close to me.

My parents jeweler, Rick Leigh, came over during the pandemic and helped me design the ring into something truly unique and one-of-kind. He also sourced Leah’s wedding band. He brought 3 over for her to choose from and said which two are your favorite? And he let her keep them both. He wouldn’t let us pay for any of our rings. They were all given as gifts to us from him.  Rick is now retired and lives in Nashville, TN. 

Later in the ceremony, Leah and Michelle had their guests join hands and circle around them to do community vows. What a sweet way to involve their guests in a renewal of their vows from two years prior!

This backyard wedding was full of love, intention and gratitude – we’re so glad this couple was able to celebrate their marriage with friends and family — finally!

The photography by Monica Linda was spot-on, like this shot of Leah and Michelle listening to their beloveds sharing anecdotes and well wishes:

You can tell this guest is a natural-born comedian:

Ok how adorable are these two:

Backyard wedding cake time!

Always make time to dance at your backyard wedding

The perfect end to a beautiful day. Stay awesome, you crazy kids!

Backyard wedding vendors:

• Coordination: The Gay Agenda Collective IG: @thegayagenda.co
• Florist: Something’s Blooming IG: @somethingsbloomingla
• Photographer: Monica Linda Photography IG: @monicalindaphotography
• Rentals: All Valley Party Rentals

Are there more amazing pics of this backyard wedding awesomeness? Heck yes: