Catherine and Jaime – Adamson House Wedding – Malibu, California
Catherine and Jaime were married at the gorgeous Adamson House in Malibu, California. I started taking pictures with the bridesmaids and Catherine at the Malibu Country Inn as they got dressed and put the finishing touches on all of the hand-made details (the poms and decorations for the dessert table, the bouquets and the reclaimed wood flower boxes that served as centerpieces, and the re-purposed chalkboards for all the signs and menus), then I headed over to the Adamson House with Catherine and Jaime for their first look and a few early portraits. Catherine looked absolutely beautiful, and Jaime could have been pulled from the pages of a magazine, and the way these two were smiling and laughing with each other it made my job pretty easy. Jaime and Catherine’s first look reminded me why I love getting to photograph weddings, I get to be present for some of the most special moments of a couple’s day, and watching the two of them see each other for the first time (after a small delay to wipe away some happy tears) really warmed my heart.
The Adamson House sits right next to the Pacific Ocean (right along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu) and has just stunning grounds, so it was really fun to get to explore the property and take lots of pictures among the historic buildings (with the beautiful colored tile and the incredible blue windowsills). We could not have asked for a more beautiful fall day for a wedding! The ceremony took place with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop, and ended just as the sun was beginning to set. We were able to step away during cocktail hour and steal a few more photos as the sun slipped away. Guests then were treated to an amazing selection of pallela for dinner, along with some signature cocktails from the couple, and afterward everyone helped themselves to the wonderful dessert table. As evening turned to night, the guests made full use of the dance floor (seriously, there was so much dancing!). I am so very lucky that I got to capture some of this remarkable day for these two very special people, a few of my favorites are below.
   
Kirsten and Josh – Lake Wilderness Lodge Wedding – Maple Valley, Washington
Kirsten and Josh were married just outside of Renton, Washington at the Lake Wilderness Lodge. We did their first look and some portraits at the Lake Wilderness Arboretum right next to the venue, and as the sun set on the beautiful fall day, the ceremony was held on the venue lawn with Lake Wilderness as the backdrop. During the ceremony, a little pair of ducks decided to crash the wedding and stood at the back of the aisle for just a moment to check things out. We headed in for the reception just as it was getting dark outside, the couple had used little succulents as place cards for table assignments, and I loved the geometric table numbers they made, friends and family were also treated to a trail mix bar for snacks and sweets (the first time I’d ever seen that, what a great idea!). In one of the best toasts I’ve heard in a while, Kirsten’s maid of honor had picked out sappy or cute public messages that Kirsten and Josh had written to each other on Facebook, and read them aloud; everyone in the room was laughing (including the couple). There was no lack of love during the day, and I have no doubt these two have a very happy life together ahead!
Kiley and Will – Red Lion on the Columbia River – Portland, Oregon
Kiley and Will were married outside on fall afternoon along the banks of the Columbia River. Will and his groomsmen all looked very handsome in their Dress Blues for pictures and the ceremony, and Kiley’s sleeveless mermaid-style wedding gown was just stunning on her. After the outdoor ceremony (with a great view of the interstate bride and the nearby marinas), guests headed inside to the reception area, decorated with flowers put together by Kiley’s mother, and pink lighting to coordinate with the wedding colors. After dinner and toasts, the groomsmen did some excellent lip synching and even a bit of break dancing during the reception, and guests mingled and danced and celebrated with the couple until the very end of the night. This was such a fun wedding to photograph and I wish these two all the best!
Brad and Rebecca – Beach Elopement at Cape Lookout State Park – Tillamook, Oregon
Brad and Rebecca’s wedding will always have a special place in my heart because it is the first wedding in which I was both the photographer and one of the witnesses. Their incredibly intimate ceremony happened at Cape Lookout State Park Beach in Tillamook, Oregon, and the only people present were the couple, myself, the officiant, and one other witness. They got married on the banks of a small river that fed into the ocean, and after that the three of us spent about an hour wandering the beach taking pictures and watching as the sun began to set over the ocean. These two had traveled across the country to elope and spend some time exploring oregon – and they were really a joy to work with. They were headed into Portland the next day, and so I gave them a few of my favorite spots to check out in the city, and was so happy to hear from Brad a few days later that they’d had a great time and even made it to one of my favorite restaurants. I hope to cross paths with them again in the future!
Amanda and Clint – Salish Lodge Wedding – Snoqualmie Falls, Washington
When I first met Amanda and Clint – I was so excited at the chance to get to capture their wedding. They are one of those couples that you just can’t help but love, their happiness is pretty contagious. Their wedding day was no exception – as we walked around the overlook of Snoqualmie Falls, these two could no stop smiling and laughing with each other during their portraits.  Not only did we luck out with a gorgeous crisp day for an autumn wedding, we were even visited by a little honey bee looking for a little snack in Amanda’s bouquet. Guests were treated to incredible views of the falls as these two exchanged vows outside of the lodge, and they signed their marriage certificate outside just as the sun was setting behind the hillside. As night set in during dinner and into dancing, the area and nearby cliffs were surrounded by a sort of magical mist from the falls. It was such a beautiful and wonderful celebration, and I was lucky to get to photograph it.
Diane and Alexa – Hoyt Arboretum Wedding – Portland, Oregon
Diane and Alexa were married surrounded by just the trees and a few of their loved ones at the Hoyt Arboretum in Portland. Their ceremony had such a wonderful and intimate vibe, Alexa walked down the aisle with her mom and sisters, while Diane’s mom officiated. They did a wonderful job transforming the Steven’s Pavilion into a reception site with lace tablecloths, antique china, a few vintage pieces of furniture, and lots of flowers. For dessert guests were treated to a selection of flavors of macaroons, in a beautiful rainbow of colors. After the main events, the three of us were able to sneak away as the sun was streaming through the tall trees and capture a few more pictures of the gorgeous daylight. It was such a warm and welcoming celebration – and I was very lucky to get to photograph it!
Elida and Derek – Tanner Springs Park and Portland City Grill Wedding – Portland, Oregon
I met with Elida and Derek at Tanner Springs Park in Portland’s Pearl District before their wedding ceremony just as the late afternoon sun was beginning to get lower in the sky. We were able to take lots of pictures in and around the park, including on the boardwalk and near some nice looking architectural features in the neighborhood. I couldn’t keep these two from smiling at each other (but who needs to stop smiling on their wedding day anyhow!), Elida looked just stunning in her white gown with her hair curled and pinned to one side, and Derek looked handsome in his navy suit.  After our quick photo session we headed over to the Portland City Grill – way up on the 30th floor with gorgeous views of the Portland skyline, for their ceremony and reception.  Guests ate and drank and visited with one another as the sun set and the city began to light up against the night sky.  Just as evening really set in, they had their first dance, and afterwards fed each other bites of their gluten-free wedding cake. I was so happy to get to be a small part of Elida and Derek’s wedding day! Some of my favorite wedding photos are below.
Jennifer and Jake – Clackamas River Farms Wedding – Eagle Creek, Oregon
Jennifer and Jake were married at Clackamas River Farms on the last Saturday in August. There were so many lovely details that Jennifer and Jake put together for their wedding: photos of the couple at each table, bouquets of lavendar and purple flowers as centerpieces, strings of paper decorations, round paper lanterns in purples and whites, silver goblets at the bride and groom’s place settings, and a really special memory table with pictures of loved ones that had passed away. As the day started and everyone was getting dressed, the sun came out for a bit, and we snapped photos all around the fields and gardens at the farms, but as soon as guests began to sit down for the outdoor ceremony, the sky really opened up. Being a native Oregonian, I assume the rain would stop after a few minutes, but, twenty minutes later it was still pouring. Jennifer and Jake remained calm and in great spirits even with an unexpected change of ceremony location. They were able to hold the ceremony in the covered area on the property – and when Jennifer walked from the house to the barn (with her parents holding an umbrella over her as the rain poured on) she was received by a standing ovation and cheers from her guests. And I think the rain made the ceremony feel even more intimate and romantic. A bit into the reception, the sky cleared, and the result was a just gorgeous sunset, and the fields at Clackamas River Farm had this hazy post-rain mist to them that made for some incredible pictures. As the night set in, guests danced under the stars near the old silo on the property, and the party continued on into the night. After getting to experience this wonderful celebration, I don’t think anything, especially a bit of wet weather, could have dampened the love on this day!
Maria and Chris – McMenamins Grand Lodge, Forest Grove, OR
Maria and Chris were married in Catching’s Grove at the Grand Lodge McMenamins in Forest Grove, Oregon. There were so many gorgeous details that went in to this wedding (let’s see if I can remember them all!). Maria’s first wedding outfit, her blue and purple and beaded sari, draped over an equally beautiful teal skirt embroidered with many, many, beads, was absolutely stunning – and the henna on her hands and feet looked amazing with the gold jewelry and the ample amount of red and silver bangles she wore during the ceremony. Her attendants also looked beautiful, each dressed in their own sari. During the ceremony multi-colored mason jars with flowers lined the aisles, and hanging behind the ceremony site were beaded strings with red and teal puffs on them. Maria’s bouquet had flowers with the tips dipped in gold glitter (similar to Chris’ boutonniere, which was a white flower with gold glitter on the edges). The ceremony itself was a wonderful blend of languages and cultures, and it included a traditional lasso ceremony. Chris happens to be a member of a DeLorean car club, and during the cocktail hour (much to the delight of everyone) seven DeLoreans parked near the patio, doors up, for guests to check out and take pictures with. After that, Maria and Chris changed into a second set of party clothes (Maria’s second dress was just gorgeous), and headed up to the Compass Room for the reception. We headed outside as guests finished dinner, and I could not have asked for a more beautiful sunset for the last few portraits of the day. What an incredible wedding to get to photograph!
Ruth and Ryan – Cornelius Pass Roadhouse Wedding
Ruth and Ryan were married at the Cornelius Pass Roadhouse on a perfect summer Friday. Since these two live on the East Coast, we’d only met once before the actual wedding day – but they were so easy to work with and full of lots of great smiles and laughter throughout their portrait session. The groomsmen and the men in the bridal party all wore grey suits, with feathers for their boutonnieres, and the girls carried lovely white and peach and light purple flowers in their bouquets. Ruth and Ryan had set up a Polaroid photobooth inside the octagonal barn to use as their guest book, and the guests loved it! I really liked the giant chalkboard they used to serve as the program for the day. The sun was peeking through the trees during their outdoor ceremony, and the temperature was just perfect as the sun began to set during the reception outside the octagonal barn. We moved inside for some dancing and to cut that gorgeous unfrosted chocolate cake topped with blackberries and flowers (I think some call them “naked” cakes – but whatever the name, I think they are absolutely stunning). At the end of the night I was able to snag the couple for just a few more photos as the daylight faded away. Congratulations again to these two!
