Groom rocks a black dress at this glamorous backyard wedding that’s actually a LOVE CELEBRATION!

Jax (she/her) and Alex (he/they/them) are proof that weddings, at their core, are celebrations. You don't need all the common trimmings of a wedding to celebrate your union. Heck, you don't even have to call it a “wedding.” Jax and Alex didn't, so while this might look like a DIY backyard wedding, we all know it's a LOVE CELEBRATION!

The TL;DR explanation for this is using the term “wedding” in this post allows other queer soonlyweds to find Jax and Alex's love party and be inspired to celebrate their own way, too. And wait till you see Alex's outfit change from a vintage suit to a sequined mini black wedding dress!

Offbeat Wed vendor Adrienne Catanese Photography had the honor of shooting Jax and Alex's civil union ceremony and backyard love celebration. We'll let them share all the uh-mazing details from this special day:

Let's see this glamorous backyard wedding that was actually a love celebration

Jax and Alex (JALEX) held a small Civil Union self-uniting ceremony in Philadelphia. A few months later, they threw a “Love Celebration” backyard party for all their friends and family in Long Island, NY. Their theme was “Garden Glam,” think colorful florals in thrifted bottles, a rose gold disco ball, pale champagne tablecloths, a self-serve beer and wine wall, and tissue paper puffs for days…all under a cool and comfy white tent.

We're loving the florals in this backyard wedding

Who needs a fancy florist: their friends arranged all the florals (purchased at Whole Foods) on the morning of the event! Jax + Alex thrifted all their cloth napkins and silverware, then cleaned and re-donated these items to fight waste.

Now let's see what Jax and Alex wore to their backyard wedding

Both partners got ready together, with styling help from their friends (or “chosen family”; their favorite phrase during our planning meetings), and from each other. Jax (she/her) wore a sparkly bronze gown (Calvin Klein), and Alex (he/them) wore a vintage suit decorated by Jax with a lace wing applique.

Are you ready to see this stunning sequined black wedding dress?

Later in the evening, Alex re-emerged in a short black sequined mini-dress and purple tights (and looked amazing). It's proof that any dress can be considered a “wedding dress,” a dress that you wear on your wedding day, or a dress for your Love Celebration. Adrienne says:

On the mornings of both their Civil Union ceremony, and their backyard Love Celebration, Jax applied blush and mascara on her partner Alex; these quiet, gender-expression-affirming moments were some of my favorite to photograph.

Adrienne Catanese Photography

Ultimately this backyard wedding is a love celebration

The whole celebration reminded photographer Adrienne Catanese of the “cool wedding” Portlandia sketch, in all the best ways. Not that Jax or Alex EVER used the “W” word…no, this was not a “wedding,” and Jax and Alex were not “bride and groom.” This was simply two best friends self-uniting after 10 years together and then partying with all their favorite humans.

Vendors behind this DIY backyard wedding (aka Love Celebration):

• Photography: Adrienne Catanese
• Invitations: Minted
• Music: Silver Arrow Band
• Serving Staff: Hostess with the Mostess
• Rentals: Long Island Tents
• Meteorite Rings: Manly Junction
• Vegan Cake (Philly PA): CRUST Vegan Bakery
• Vegan Dinner (Long Island NY): 3 Brothers Pizza Cafe
• Beer: Superstar
• Wine: Bridge Lane
• Fancy Sh*tters: Mobile Throne
• Florals: Whole Foods Market

Glamorous backyard wedding gallery: