Some weddings just feel like the couple, like you walk in and immediately know, “Yep, this is so them.” Mckenna and Chloe’s backyard lesbian jewish wedding was exactly that kind of day. It was cozy, intentional, filled with Jewish tradition, queer joy, and just enough silliness (carved pumpkin centerpieces!) to keep everyone grinning.
They got married in Mckenna’s parents’ backyard in Fresno on a crisp October day surrounded by about 100 of their favorite humans. And while there was no sweeping mountaintop or big wedding venue, every single inch of that backyard was full of heart. I honestly can’t imagine it happening anywhere else.
A Queer Jewish Wedding That Felt Like Home
Mckenna and Chloe wanted to celebrate meaningful traditions but with a queer, affirming twist. This wasn’t about checking boxes or pleasing anyone else, it was about creating a ceremony that felt true. They included
- The Ketubah: They signed their ketubah just before the ceremony, surrounded by a tight circle of loved ones. There was something so grounding about starting the day with that ritual, it set the tone for everything that followed.
- The Chuppah: They stood beneath a chuppah that framed the whole ceremony in love and tradition. The light filtered through the fabric and the trees above—it felt sacred and soft and just right.
- Hakafot: Before stepping under the chuppah, they each circled the other seven times. It symbolizes creating a sacred space around your partner, drawing them close, and binding your lives together. Watching them mirror each other in this moment? Utterly moving.
- Breaking of the Glass: A classic! They stomped on the glass together and were met with a chorus of “Mazel Tov!” and big cheers. That’s the kind of joy you can feel in your chest.
- The Hora: Yep—they went up on the chairs, and everyone danced around them in a whirlwind of laughter, curls, and flying napkins. Truly iconic.
- Yichud: After the ceremony, they slipped away for a few private moments of yichud—a sweet pause to just breathe, snack, and hold each other as newlyweds.
Let’s Talk About the Outfits
I’d be remiss not to mention what these two wore, because it was absolutely next level.
Chloe hand-stitched her own wedding dress. Like, actually. With her own two hands. It was full of intention and artistry and just so her.
Mckenna rocked a custom-made suit that fit her like a glove and made her look like she stepped right out of a dreamy queer fashion editorial. Put these two together, and it was pure magic, dressy, a little eclectic, and full of personal flair.
Mckenna rocked a custom-made suit that fit her like a glove and made her look like she stepped right out of a dreamy queer fashion editorial. Put these two together, and it was pure magic, dressy, a little eclectic, and full of personal flair.
Like McKenna’s suit? Check out my suit guide here!
Pumpkins, Music, and a Backyard Full of Meaning
One of my favorite parts? Their friends helped carve pumpkins for the centerpieces the night before at their rehearsal. It was such a fun nod to the season and made the tables feel homemade and happy. That’s the kind of detail I live for—when a wedding looks beautiful, but also feels lived-in and real.
These two met at music school (in the pizza line, obviously), and their relationship has been full of gigs, jam sessions, hikes, and quiet weekends ever since. You could feel all of that, the rhythm, the connection, the deep knowing one another, woven through their day.
Why This Lesbian Jewish Wedding Meant So Much to Me
As a queer wedding photographer who came out as a teen and grew up navigating faith and identity, weddings like this hit me in the softest part of my heart. Watching two queer women celebrate their love, fully, joyfully, without compromise, it is incredibly powerful.
Their day wasn’t about fitting into a mold. It was about breaking it—with tenderness, laughter, and a couple of pumpkins along the way.
Planning your own lesbian Jewish wedding (or something equally magical)? Whether you’re eloping in the redwoods, dancing the hora in a backyard, or hand-stitching your dress on the couch—I’d be so honored to tell your story. Let’s talk →
