NFL defensive back Elijah Campbell dips his bride Anisse back and leans in for a kiss at the bottom of a long winding staircase at the University of Minnesota
Real Wedding

Backyard Wedding in Minnesota | NFL Defensive Back Elijah Campbell & Anisse’s Celebration

If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that love always finds a way. And sometimes, what begins as a change of plans turns into something even better than imagined.

That was exactly the case for Anisse and Elijah, whose backyard wedding in Minnesota became one of my favorite celebrations to date.

Elijah Campbell, a professional NFL defensive back and proud Saint Paul Central High School alum, and his bride Anisse transformed her childhood home in Ham Lake, Minnesota into the perfect setting for an unforgettable outdoor wedding.

NFL defensive back Elijah Campbell and his bride Anisse walk hand in hand through the grass under light rainfall during their backyard wedding in Minnesota

A Hometown Story with NFL Roots

Elijah grew up in Saint Paul, starred at Saint Paul Central High School, and went on to play college football at Northern Iowa before beginning his NFL career as an undrafted free agent. He’s played for the Cleveland Browns, the New York Jets, and the Miami Dolphins, and in March 2026 he signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants. Through every stop in his career, Minnesota has stayed home, and so has Anisse.

From Postponement to Perfect Backyard Celebration

Like many couples in 2020, Anisse and Elijah had to rethink their original wedding plans. Their celebration was initially set for the Lumber Exchange in Minneapolis, but when the pandemic lingered, they chose to pivot, transforming Anisse’s family backyard into a stunning, private wedding venue.

By June 2021, restrictions were lifted, summer was in full swing, and everyone was ready to celebrate again. The energy that day was unmatched. Joyful, relaxed, and full of gratitude. It felt like the first truly “free” wedding of the season, and one we’ll all remember for a long time.

Bride and groom reach their hands out to each other in front of a lush ivy-covered wall before their Ham Lake Minnesota backyard wedding

A Love Story with Local Roots

Before their big day, we stopped by the University of Minnesota, where their story first began, right outside of Blarney’s in Dinkytown. It’s always special photographing couples in places that hold meaning to them, and the U of M never disappoints. Between the modern lines of the Weisman Art Museum and the lush summer greens around campus, it was the perfect backdrop before the festivities kicked off.

Even with a little rain trying to crash the day, the party bus stayed rocking and spirits never dipped.

Elijah Campbell and Anisse's wedding party photo in front of social justice art at the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis

The Backyard Becomes a Dream Venue

Back home in Ham Lake, guests were greeted by a scene straight out of a summer fairytale. Lush green lawns, elegant décor, and the warm, welcoming energy that only comes from a family home wedding.

The celebration began with a traditional Lebanese wedding dance, complete with live drummers that had everyone on their feet. Even Zakai, their three-year-old son, wasn’t quite sure what to make of the noise at first. From there, the evening flowed into heartfelt speeches, incredible food, and one of the best dance floors of the year.

The couple's three-year-old son Zakai in his suit reflected in the surface of a black grand piano at the reception

A Wedding That Defines What Matters Most

This day was a perfect reminder that the where matters far less than the who. Whether in a grand ballroom or your own backyard, what truly makes a wedding unforgettable are the moments shared between family, friends, and the people you love most.

Anisse and Elijah’s backyard wedding was proof that beauty, joy, and meaning can all come together, sometimes right where it all began.

Bride and groom share their first dance under a beautifully decorated tent at their backyard wedding in Minnesota

Minnesota Wedding Photography

If you’re planning your own Minnesota wedding, whether at a venue or right in your own backyard, I’d love to help you capture it in a way that feels authentic and timeless.

I’m Jackson Tyler Eddy, an award-winning wedding photographer based in Minneapolis, and I photograph celebrations across Minnesota and destinations worldwide.

Reach out here to check availability and learn more about my approach to creating meaningful, story-driven wedding imagery.

Credits

The Team Behind the Day

Wedding Planner

Rosetree Weddings & Events
Lead Planner: Paige Anderson

Flowers

Studio C

Rentals

Apres Event Decor & Tent Rentals

Private Chef

Richard Colliss & Sean Fortune

Service & Valet

Hire-a-Host

Cake

Miss Sara’s Cakery

Anisse’s Attire

Dress: Galia Lahav from Annika Bridal
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Nails: France Nails & Spa
Hair: Sohelia
Makeup: Brooke Fleetwood

Elijah’s Attire

Suit: Indochino
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Bow Tie & Pocket Square: D. Leak Designs
Braids: Shonni Styless

Zakai’s Attire

Suit: J Crew Kids
Shoes: Ferucci

Bridal Party Attire

Bridesmaids: Anthropologie
Groomsmen: Heimie’s Haberdashery

Videographer

Harvest Wedding Films

Lebanese Singer/Band

Danny Achkar

DJ

DJ Young Star (Jordan Townsend)

Limo Bus

Renee’s Limos

Extended Gallery

More From the Day

Bride and groom's shoes reflected in a rain puddle on the day of their rainy backyard wedding in Minnesota Bridesmaids pose together and laugh during a beautiful backyard wedding in Minnesota Groomsmen pose together and laugh during a photo stop before returning to their backyard wedding reception Backyard wedding table decor and floral arrangements under the reception tent The dance floor packed inside a florally decorated white tent at a Minnesota backyard wedding reception Three-year-old Zakai throws up a peace sign while smiling in his suit in his dad's arms after the ceremony A bridesmaid buttoning the ring bearer's white shirt before the wedding Hands fastening a red cufflink on the ring bearer's shirt A bridesmaid laughing with the ring bearer as he straightens his bow tie Anisse having her hair done, reflected in a round mirror in the family home Anisse in black satin pajamas in the doorway on the morning of the wedding The two flower girls in white tulle laughing together on the sofa The flower girls and the ring bearer in the hallway before the ceremony Anisse in her dress with both hands to her face, holding back tears Bridesmaids laying out Anisse's lace train beside the piano A bridesmaid in blue reading a letter aloud to Anisse, both of them moved A guest wiping her eyes over a card while Anisse stands beside her in her veil The bridesmaids in blush opening their gifts, Anisse at the end of the line Elijah and his groomsmen getting ready, in black and white Close on a groomsman's shoes on the hardwood, in black and white The groomsmen gathered in their tuxedos, in black and white A groomsman fixing Elijah's bow tie while the others watch, in black and white The first look across the swimming pool, Anisse waiting at one end and Elijah at the other Anisse walking the length of the pool toward Elijah for their first look Elijah turning to see Anisse for the first time beside the pool Elijah doubled over at the sight of Anisse, her veil running the length of the poolside Anisse and Elijah together at the poolside after the first look The ring bearer walking the edge of the pool toward them The ring bearer running to Anisse and Elijah by the pool Elijah crouching to the ring bearer beside Anisse and her veil Anisse and NFL defensive back Elijah Campbell on the lawn at her family home in Ham Lake, Minnesota The wedding party on the party bus under purple lights Anisse laughing on the bus, the ring bearer and groomsmen around her Elijah leaning in to the ring bearer on the bus, Anisse beside them Elijah on his feet with a microphone on the bus, the whole party laughing A toast raised on the party bus, glasses out across the aisle The ring bearer asleep against Elijah on the bus A bridesmaid in the foreground, the party bus stretching out behind her A phone held up on the dark bus showing 73 degrees Anisse with her bridesmaids in blush against a stone and glass wall Elijah Campbell and his groomsmen lined up, the ring bearer carried among them The groomsmen with their arms around each other, the ring bearer in the middle Elijah alone against a tall window wall, looking down at his boutonniere Elijah nose to nose with the ring bearer, handing him a clear umbrella The ring bearer holding the clear umbrella while Elijah fixes his cuff The ring bearer running down the wet plaza on the University of Minnesota campus Close portrait of the ring bearer in his tuxedo, the wedding party blurred behind The wedding party small in the doorway of the Weisman Art Museum The wedding party walking out past the bright mural panels The whole wedding party in front of the #JustYesterday mural on campus Anisse, Elijah and the ring bearer in front of the mural panels Anisse, Elijah and the ring bearer laughing together against the mural Elijah laughing with a guest outside the building A guest holding the ring bearer on her shoulder Anisse and Elijah under clear umbrellas in front of a wall of ivy Anisse and Elijah against the ivy wall, her bouquet between them Anisse and Elijah small on the curving staircase below the Weisman Art Museum Anisse and Elijah on the staircase, her train spilling down the steps Anisse and Elijah walking down the long staircase hand in hand Elijah in shirt and suspenders with a drink at the bar The groomsmen taking a shot together at the bar Anisse raising a glass at the bar with the wedding party around her Drinks passed along the bar, Elijah in his shirtsleeves and bow tie The wedding party back on the bus between stops Guests laughing together on the party bus A place setting at the reception, copper flatware and a menu card on the plate The wedding cake in white and copper with white peonies on top A hanging installation of greenery and bright flowers under the clear tent roof The clear-sided marquee on the lawn at the family home in Ham Lake Cocktail hour under the hanging flowers inside the tent The emcee with a microphone in the tent as guests applaud Guests watching from under the hanging flowers Anisse and Elijah dancing into the reception as guests clap them in The emcee working the room, guests clapping on both sides The emcee seen past a guest's shoulder in the tent Guests dancing on the white floor under the hanging flowers A drummer with a bass drum walking into the middle of the dance floor Anisse dancing in the middle of the crowd Guests linked hand in hand in a line dance Two guests laughing together in the line dance A guest dancing through the line, laughing Anisse dancing with the flower girls Anisse and Elijah kissing at their table, the tent stretching out behind them The plated dinner: chicken with roasted root vegetables and asparagus Anisse and Elijah feeding each other cake under the hanging flowers Anisse and Elijah under clear umbrellas on the lawn at dusk Anisse and Elijah holding each other among the hanging white lanterns Anisse resting her head on Elijah's shoulder with her eyes closed Elijah spinning Anisse on the open lawn Anisse and Elijah walking the lawn hand in hand Anisse and Elijah holding each other under the trees on the lawn Anisse and Elijah riding a red ATV across the lawn in their wedding clothes Anisse and Elijah laughing on the ATV, close in Elijah arriving back at the tent on the ATV with his arm in the air A guest giving a speech to the tables under the tent Anisse and Elijah listening from the head table behind the candles Elijah on the microphone at the head table, Anisse laughing beside him Anisse and Elijah at the head table as the guests gather round Anisse and Elijah at the edge of the dance floor, the room watching Anisse and Elijah walking out onto the dance floor Anisse and Elijah crossing the empty white dance floor, guests at the edges The first dance under the hanging flowers in the clear tent The first dance, the seated tables all around them Anisse and Elijah dancing as the guests close in around them The dance floor filling up, hands in the air around the couple Elijah lifted on shoulders in the middle of the crowd Anisse and Elijah both lifted up, hands in the air under the flowers Elijah up on shoulders with the whole tent's hands in the air Anisse and Elijah dancing hard, both hands up The packed dance floor with Anisse in the middle of it Guests dancing, one with his arms thrown wide A bridesmaid lifted up on shoulders under the hanging flowers The dance floor from inside the crowd, phones up and everyone singing A dance circle opens up, a guest down on the floor and Anisse watching Elijah dancing with his shirt open, the circle laughing around him Anisse and Elijah dancing together late, his hand in the air

If you’d like to see more things weddings hop on over to my wedding photography collections.

Minneapolis wedding photographer Jackson Tyler Eddy

Jackson Tyler Eddy is a Minneapolis wedding photographer with 17+ years behind the camera, hundreds of weddings photographed, and a place in The Knot Hall of Fame. His landscape work has been featured by National Geographic in its Daily Dozen, and that same artist's eye carries into every wedding he photographs. Available for weddings throughout Minnesota and destinations worldwide.

More about Jackson → See wedding collections →
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