Gus and Caitlyn’s day began with an Elko Courthouse wedding, and from the very start, it felt perfectly calm. They arrived together, excited and ready, and that was enough—sometimes that’s all a wedding day really needs.

One of the first things I noticed was how present they both were. They weren’t distracted or nervous; they were fully focused on the moment and each other.

The ceremony itself was short, but it didn’t feel rushed or empty. That’s something people don’t always expect, but an Elko Courthouse Wedding has a way of stripping everything down to what matters. You notice the quiet, you notice the looks they exchange and you notice how the room shifts once it’s official. And at the end, that moment where it finally hits — we’re married.

After the Elko Courthouse Wedding – The Backyard

After the Elko Courthouse Wedding we headed to their backyard celebration, people were spread out, grabbed drinks, and started talking and eating.

Their backyard wedding ended up being one of my favorites of the year. It was small and intimate, but it had so much life to it. They had yard games set up, and everyone actually played. Lasso turned competitive fast, and darts had people laughing and cheering each other on. No one was standing around wondering what to do. Everyone was involved.

Pairing a backyard celebration gave a perfect balance I don’t see all the time. The courthouse part gave it meaning and structure. The backyard gave it warmth and fun.

The Dancing

Later on, more people joined that were not at the Elko courthouse wedding. We got everyone dancing, and this was one of my favorite parts. At first, there was that brief hesitation — totally normal. Once I talked to them about having fun with it and getting good photos, they jumped right in. And once they started, they didn’t stop. Even after I was done shooting, they kept dancing, laughing, and pulling more people in.

We also did pro selfies, which everyone loved. Friends grabbed friends. Couples leaned in close. People didn’t overthink it. They genuinely loved that part.

Dinner was another highlight. They served a homemade meal, and it was delicious. People went back for seconds, stayed seated longer than usual, and just talked. Nothing felt rushed. It felt like people sharing a meal because they wanted to be there.

Then came the toasts. Some were emotional, some were funny and some had everyone laughing through tears. A lot of inside jokes, a lot of love. Those moments are always some of my favorites to photograph because they’re completely unscripted.

Photography Tips for an Elko Courthouse Wedding+ Backyard

What stood out to me most was how refreshing this day felt. I photograph a lot of weddings at venues where everything is planned down to the minute. This felt different. Photographing a backyard reception pushed me creatively, and I loved that challenge. It made me slow down and pay attention in a different way.

Some of my favorite images from the entire year came from this wedding. I really think that’s because it was something new for me, and because the day stayed true to who Gus and Caitlyn are.

Elko Courthouse Wedding Info

This Elko Courthouse Wedding and backyard celebration is one I’ll remember for a long time — not because it was elaborate, but because it was real. If you want to read more about this wedding, especially check out the Courthouse specific blog, chick out this link – https://www.bethkellumphotography.com/a-stunning-outdo…urthouse-wedding/