If you are searching for heartfelt, story driven Eau Claire Wedding Photography, Sydney and Shea’s wedding at Burlap and Bells in Black River Falls is the kind of day that reminds you why weddings matter.

These two are middle school sweethearts. They met young, grew up together, and never let go. Their wedding was not just a celebration of one day. It was the honoring of years of choosing each other.

Set in the pine forests of western Wisconsin, their wedding blended Pagan ritual, bohemian textures, family involvement, and a community that showed up in a big way. Most of their guests traveled from the East Coast to witness this moment. That alone says everything.

First Look Along the Pine Path

Before the ceremony, Shea waited along a quiet forest path in a cinnamon brown suit with a deep red tie and dried floral boutonniere. Sydney approached in a flowing gown with delicate sleeve ties and a botanical crown woven into her hair.

Because they have known each other since middle school, their first look felt steady and familiar. There was excitement, yes, but more than that there was comfort. The kind that only comes from years of history.

The earthy palette of rust, burgundy, sage, and cream echoed their bohemian aesthetic and blended beautifully into the pine forest surroundings.

Moments like this are why couples invest in Eau Claire Wedding Photography. The quiet space allows genuine emotion to unfold naturally.

A Sacred Forest Ceremony at Burlap and Bells

Burlap and Bells offers towering pines, open meadows, and a warm wooden barn that feels tucked away from the world. Sydney and Shea chose a secluded forest clearing for their ceremony, allowing nature to be both backdrop and participant.

Before guests arrived, they saged the ceremony space. Smoke drifted softly between the trees as they cleansed the area with intention. It felt grounding and peaceful, setting the tone for what was to come.

Their ceremony embraced Pagan and bohemian themes. A wooden arbor draped in deep red fabric framed their vows. Earth toned florals and natural textures blended seamlessly with the forest floor.

During the ceremony, they participated in a handfasting ritual. Braided cords wrapped around their joined hands symbolized unity and devotion. It was intimate, symbolic, and deeply personal.

This is what makes Eau Claire Wedding Photography so powerful. Western Wisconsin landscapes allow couples to create ceremonies that feel spiritual, intentional, and rooted in nature.

Golden Hour Meadow Portraits

As the sun lowered, we stepped into a nearby meadow where tall grasses glowed gold against the darker tree line. The early fall light wrapped around them in warmth.

They walked hand in hand. They laughed easily. Shea lifted Sydney into the air and the movement felt effortless and joyful.

Golden hour in western Wisconsin creates a softness that feels cinematic without being staged. When couples build space into their timeline, Eau Claire Wedding Photography becomes layered with atmosphere and emotion.

A Cake Made by Mom

One of the most meaningful details of the day was their wedding cake, lovingly made by Sydney’s mom.

The cake was adorned with dried orange slices and natural textures that matched the woodland aesthetic perfectly. It was beautiful not only visually, but emotionally. A mother baking her daughter’s wedding cake adds a depth of love that no trend can replicate.

Details like this are what storytelling photography is about. Capturing the layers behind the design.

An Open Mic Filled With Love

As guests gathered inside the candlelit barn at Burlap and Bells, the energy shifted into something incredibly heartfelt.

Sydney and Shea opened the microphone to anyone who wanted to speak. There was no strict timeline. No limit. Just an invitation.

And people came forward.

Friends. Family. Childhood connections. So many of their loved ones had traveled from the East Coast to be there, and they took the opportunity to share story after story about the couple’s love.

Time stopped in the most beautiful way. Laughter. Tears. Memories from middle school and throughout the years. Reflections on how their relationship has always felt steady and true.

The room glowed with candlelight, amber glassware, dried florals, and warmth. But what truly filled the space was community.

This is what makes Wedding Photography more than just images. It is about preserving the voices, the reactions, the emotion in the room when people stand up to say, We have watched this love grow.

Dancing Under the Night Sky

As darkness settled over the pines, string lights glowed overhead and the dance floor moved outside into the night.

Guests formed circles. They danced in groups. They hugged tightly. One quiet embrace between Sydney and a family member under a single bright light felt like a moment suspended in time.

From sacred ceremony to joyful celebration, the day flowed naturally and intentionally.

Planning a Wedding Near Eau Claire or Black River Falls

Venues like Burlap and Bells in Black River Falls offer couples the chance to blend forest ceremony spaces, open meadows, and candlelit barn receptions in one cohesive setting.

If you are planning a Pagan inspired wedding, incorporating spiritual rituals, inviting guests to travel in from afar, or dreaming of a woodland celebration near Eau Claire, your story deserves to be documented with care.

If you are searching for Eau Claire Wedding Photography that captures not only how your wedding looks but how it feels, I would love to tell your story. Fill out my contact form and let the wedding day planning magic begin!

If You’re Dreaming of a Wedding Like Sydney and Shea’s

Sydney and Shea’s wedding day felt deeply personal. From the Pagan rituals in the forest to the candlelit barn reception and the open mic speeches that seemed to go on forever (in the best way), every part of their celebration reflected intention and community.

If you are planning a nature inspired or bohemian wedding near Eau Claire, choosing thoughtful vendors can make all the difference. These talented people and businesses helped bring Sydney and Shea’s vision to life at Burlap and Bells in Black River Falls.

Vendors That Made Sydney and Shea’s Wedding Day Immaculate

Photography
Cree La Vie Studios
@creelaviestudios

Venue
Burlap and Bells
IG @burlapandbells

Wedding Coordination
Zane Weddings Co.
IG @zane.weddings.co

Dress
Celtic Fusion Design
IG @celticfusiondesign

Suit
Indochino
IG @indochino

Rings
The Diamond Center
IG @thediamondcenterinc

Floral
Dried Flowers Forever
IG @driedflowersforever

Hair
Pine Grove Beauty Co.
IG @pinegrovebeautyco

Makeup
Willamette Valley Winks
IG @willamettevalleywinks

Catering
Revolution Coffee in Black River Falls
IG @revbrf

Note: Several meaningful elements of the day were created by the couple and their loved ones. The décor, music, and wedding cake were all DIY, with the cake lovingly made by the bride’s mom. Their ceremony was officiated by Parker, a close friend of the couple, which made the moment even more personal and heartfelt.