I love a good church wedding ceremony – the stained glass windows, the great architecture, the substantial amount of time they typically afford me to take photos. They’re even better when the officiant knows the couple really well and the whole thing feels really sweet and personal, as it did with Rebecca and Karl’s wedding at Gresham United Methodist Church. Followed by a lovely reception at McMenamin’s Edgefield Administrator’s House and Yard, it was a day filled with laughter, family, friends, and the good kind of tears. And dancing! So much dancing, compliments of DJ Chad Dowling and the energetic wedding revelers.
Lauren + Grant got married at the beautiful Estate Gardens of their Alma Mater, Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where they met. I think it was a little strange for them to be getting ready for their wedding in some of their old classrooms, but once the day got going, you could tell that everyone felt right at home on the beautiful campus – much of their bridal party were college friends, and everyone was excited to be taking part in this adorable couple’s big day.
I just love everything about this wedding. Every detail, from the delicious food and dessert (¿Por Qué No? Taquéria and Cinnamon Rolls!), to the bride and groom’s wardrobe (from Xtabay Vintage Bridal and my beloved Hollywood Vintage), to the beautiful flowers and custom designed rings, just added to the unique, bright, whimsical feel of the day. I knew I liked these two from our very first meeting, but when they danced together back down the aisle after their lovely, personal ceremony, I fell in love. And with color and laughter and adorable kids and love everywhere, as a wedding photographer, I really couldn’t have asked for a better day.
I went to visit Bridal Veil Lakes with Katie and Matt the week before their wedding and was in awe of how beautiful it was. Everything at this Columbia River Gorge wedding venue, from the ceremony site to the reception area, to the lake itself is just picture-perfect. I knew right away that this was going to be one gorgeous wedding. We were lucky to have beautiful weather on the big day, and the whole thing went off without a hitch — wonderful food, lovely friends and family, great music and lots of Scotch and Irish Whiskey made sure of it. It was such a pleasure to be a part of this beautiful wedding day! Many thanks to Katie and Matt for having me (and thanks to my lovely second-shooter Ally for the gorgeous photos!)
Kate and Faraz got married on the DeSoto Rooftop Terrace in Downtown Portland on a VERY hot day in June. Looking at the photos, though, you’d barely notice (aside from the uncharacteristic tent set up on the rooftop). The couple, their family and their guests just look happy to be celebrating their love and their special day. This wedding, for me, wins hands-down for the best ceremony reading ever: the couple had two of their friends read their very first email exchange on OKC, complete with emojis-on-sticks. It was funny, charming, and sweet, and made perfect sense that these two would’ve fallen in love. And such fun for their friends and family to get to peek inside the beginnings of their relationship!
Erica and Karl and their families traveled all the way from Wisconsin to get married at the beautiful Lan Su Chinese Garden in Downtown Portland. It was during a heatwave weekend here in Portland (the weather report predicted 106 degrees that day!), but luckily their wedding was scheduled for 8am, before the garden opened to the public – this meant not only less heat, but some nice cloud cover, which makes this photographer really happy (such beautiful, flattering light!) It was lovely to meet their families and witness their beautiful ceremony. It was also great to work once again with their lovely officiant, Rev. Maureen Haley, who is always a delight.
So happy to share this lovely Ponzi Historic Estate wedding! The beautiful venue, delicious food, happy couple and their lovely family and friends all made for a fantastic day. And such cute little kids! Ponzi’s staff was so helpful and accommodating, especially with the little ones.
This season, I’m excited to be photographing so many weddings in new, unique venues, and the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville, Oregon didn’t disappoint. Set against a backdrop of vintage airplanes (including Howard Hugh’s giant Spruce Goose), this wedding really had it all – a beautiful, happy couple, adorable friends and family, beautiful, photogenic details, bright colors, and gorgeous light. Such a delight to photograph, and exciting to be a part of!
