Overlooking the Columbia River Gorge on a little island named Government Cove, Hannah and Sam danced among the lupine and golden grasses for their sunset engagement photoshoot. This location is fast becoming one of my go-to spots near Hood River because of it’s picturesque and diverse views. One of my favorite moments came when Sam slipped his hand into Hannah’s back pocket, a sweet and loving gesture that was completely unprompted. It’s the little moments like this that make my heart sing! We photographed their engagements a year ago and now their wedding day is just a few days away. Hannah and Sam are such a sweet and loving couple and their wedding is one I’ve been anticipating for a long time!
Sara and Ben’s engagement was a true Pacific Northwest adventure! This two day adventure started with a sunset hike on Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park for sweeping views of the mountains and dazzling golden light and woke up bright and early for a dawn session for a morning SUP board paddle on Lake Crescent while the sun rose.These two have a deep love of their home in Washington and all the outdoor activities it provides. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day with more beautiful people! Congratulations on your engagement, Sara and Ben!
Theresa and Sung dazzled at their Hug Point engagement and bridal session! Theresa was absolutely stunning in her bright red dress and Sung looked so dapper in his suit. We spent the first half of the session in the lush woods for a classic Pacific Northwest look and then made our way down to the beach for sunset and magic lighting. Theresa and Sung have such beautiful chemistry together and I can’t wait for their wedding!
Kathleen and Adam are world travelers who first met in Colombia, South America. With such adventurous spirits, it only seemed appropriate to explore the beautiful Columbia River Gorge at Government Cove for their engagement session. This smart and fun couple and I had a blast exploring this cove during sunset. Love this hidden gem near Hood River for photography sessions.We picked blackberries off the vine, shared recipes and travel stories and they danced in the light of a very spectacular sunset. I can’t wait for their beautiful forest wedding this weekend! Congrats Kathleen & Adam!
Lindsey and Kirk are both a kind and gorgeous couple and their northwest Portland engagement session reflected their laid-back, yet elegant style. We started the evening on a quiet trail in Forest Park. Their darling instagram-famous dog, Gordie, made an appearance and the evening glow was pure magic! After a wardrobe change, we headed down to The Pearl District for some sunset photos at Tanner Springs Park, talk about opportunities to play with beautiful colors and reflections! So excited to photograph their wedding this weekend at Gorge Crest Vineyards near Mt. Hood. It’s going to be so dreamy!
Happy one year Katie and Jon! WOW! Can’t believe it’s been only one year since their Leavenworth Washington wedding. As a wedding photographer, we always remember our “last one” the last big wedding before Covid really hit. This was it and boy am I ever thankful for such a off the grid, unique and adventurous wedding on the couple’s own property. Katie and Jon are not your average couple, they live out in the wilderness of Washington in a yurt they built themselves. This incredible and adventurous couple decided host a rad party to celebrate their love in the woods of their 20 acre property in the Cascade mountains. They love spending their time immersed in nature and they’re happiest on the trail. Katie recently launched a wilderness education retreal for women! Naturally, their wedding was scheduled to be part-adventure, part-epic dance party, and part-snowy wonderland. To kick off the day, Katie and Jon skied at sunrise with their nearest and dearest. Then Katie skied down the aisle to meet her forever person. Talented Kate & team with Ivory & Evergreen coordinated this off-the grid wedding and made sure it went smoothly! The couple said “I do” among their 100 closest family and friends beneath an ancient Ponderosa pine. They caught all of their own food for the dinner, including the wild salmon and elk. Songs, toasts and drinks carried on into the evening in their geodesic dome and boy was it a party to remember! They busted into a incredible trance dance for their first dance that surprised everyone! This was one unique and off-the-grid wedding that I will never soon forget. Can’t wait to get back to a sweaty dance floor! A very happy one year to Katie and Jon!
Lisa and Geoff and I met up on a snowy January day deep into the Mt. Hood Wilderness for their snowy wilderness engagement session. Loved learning their love story about how an older neighbor in their condo introduced them at a mingle event for the building. SO very meet cute! We laughed while almost falling on our faces every few minutes (it was slippery!) and had a blast photographing in the snow. The day was chilly and crisp but not too cold and just right for a snowy evening in the woods. The pine trees were heavy with snow and made a wonderful photography backdrop to Lisa and Geoff’s love story. Absolutely loved the Pendelton blanket they brought to keep warm with along with the Argyle bubbles to pop in celebration! We hopped in the back of their truck so we could get some fun sitting pics and not get too freezing sitting in snow! Such a perfect Mt. Hood Oregon engagement session. So happy for these two amazing people and their upcoming wedding this summer. Congrats Lisa & Geoff!
I look back on Lei and Alfonso’s wedding with so much awe and love for how they beautifully crafted a day that represented both of their cultures. I’ve known Alfonso’s wonderful family since photographing his sister’s wedding at the same venue in 2018. The ceremony started with a traditional Western wedding at the University of Portland where the couple originally met while in a study group together (awe!) Lei took our breathe away in her gorgeous dress from Anna’s Bridal and traditional Samoan flower crown from Blum. The ceremony was then followed by a stunning holiday-inspired reception at the Portland Golf Club complete with twinkle lights galore, amazing food and music and mingling. Their gorgeous cake from Dream Cakes was topped with an antique cake topper which has now crowned wedding cakes in their family for over 50 years. After the emotional toasts came the dancing! The couple danced the traditional Samoan dance called “taulagua” with the bride, groom, and bride’s family in cultural attire. The ceremony symbolizes the closing of the event, thanking guests for joining in the celebration. From start to finish their day was filled with endless smiles and unforgettable moments of union between two cultures. Happy one year anniversary Lei and Alfonso!
McKenzie and Paul’s just celebrated one year of marriage and I’m so excited to finally share their absolutely jaw dropping wedding experience at The Sentinel Hotel in Portland Oregon. This historic portland wedding venue is incredibly elegant with a timeless style and architecture that the couple, along with the talents of both Danielle Caldwell Events and Blum Florals, transformed into a luxe garden of magic, complete with English inspired garden details, like hedges and topiaries. McKenzie, an absolutely stunning bride, wore a weddings dress from Portland’s A&bé bridal shop and her father’s first reaction to seeing his daughter all in white was a truly beautiful moment. The couple opted for a “first touch” rather than a first look, which was a powerful and unforgettable moment of union. Paul, a talented pianist, played a song he wrote for his future wife and they shared a silent moment of prayer together. The two walked down the aisle to a full string quartet and onto an impressive garden trellis of live ivy & roses. The reception, held in the Governor ballroom, was gorgeously designed to incorporate elements of nature into the evening. From full trees lit by candlelight, to twinkling stars projected onto the ceiling, it was truly breathtaking. The cake, made by the one and only Dream Cakes, was impressive 5 tier with acrylic dividers to highlight the elegance of the day. To close out their incredible day, McKenzie and Paul danced to the last song of the evening surrounded by their friends and family holding a sea of tealight candles that swayed with the perfect music provided by Event Team Entertainment. Congratulations on one year McKenzie & Paul! Your magical wedding truly represented what a magical couple you two are!
