Dan and Gabi were all about celebrating with their guests, I nearly had to beg them for photo time!  This couple is so outgoing and positive–they have tons of friends and the entire group knows how to have a GOOD time : ) Whoa, I mean a REALLY good time…  They’ve relocated to Nashville  while Gabi’s finishes nursing school–and both were happy to be back in the “cool” northwest –a welcome respite from the crazy humid heat back east. And wouldn’t you know that their wedding day ended up in the high 80’s?  It was a beautiful day–I’ll take sun and heat over a rainy wedding day anytime.

I’m fairly certain they will need me to accompany them to Thailand later in the year for complete honeymoon coverage… right?!  I haven’t been able to persuade any of my wedding clients to take me on their honeymoon yet… but I’m trying : ) haha

Summer has finally arrived in the Northwest, though for how long…? My darling wedding clients have to be prepared for rain or shine, when planning an outdoor wedding.  Brittney and Dan were ready for either, and though it was nearly 90 degrees and my face was as red as a tomato, I was grateful for the beautiful summer afternoon.  They are both artsy–graphic design and music fuels their creative spirits, and they were game for just about anything. There were so many sweet little details throughout–and the color palette was perfect: soft gray, white and bright yellow–summer! I brought along my vintage Schwinn and a couple of oversized balloons as props, and the results… adorableness!  Congratulations you two! Enjoy Cancun : )

Ron and Laura are exuberant, funny and enjoy living life with passion.  They wanted a wedding that was fairly low key–more of a fun celebration with their friends and family, and dancing into the night.  And that is exactly what they did!  After a sweet ceremony, guests enjoyed passed hors ‘oeuvres and cocktails. As Laura and Ron began their first dance, a lovely slow waltz to “At Last,” the music screeched to a halt, switched to a latin tempo number and they ROCKED a smoking sexy salsa number!!  It was unbelievable!  The surprises didn’t stop there though.  Laura’s friends have an inside joke with the Beyonce song “All the Single Ladies” and they proceeded to keep the wedding couple laughing as they performed the music video choreography–sooo great!  That set the tone for the evening and the DJ kept people on the floor the entire evening with great music.  I must confess, I was having a difficult time restraining myself from joining in… who doesn’t LOVE to dance!!  Congratulations!!  Cheers to many more years of dancing!
xo

Some girls need diamonds to make them giddy with glee.  Me?  Oh, a silver beaded curtain will do just fine : )  I was beyond thrilled to find a 10 foot long silver beaded curtain at my friend Nan’s awesome shop http://funjunkonline.com// I LOVE rummaging through dusty drawers of people old junk.  You never know what treasure you’ll unearth.  I’m always looking for cool props to add to the studio and couldn’t believe the score at my last visit.  A 5 foot wide, 10 foot long SILVER BEADED CURTAIN!!!!  It looks A M A Z I N G!  I had to snap a couple of quick images with the closest model and  Mrs. Nixon willingly (ha!) obliged, well ok, we plied her with treats…  Enjoy!  Can’t WAIT to use this with my high school seniors!  Can you say ROCKSTAR?! Oh, yeah…

Keryn has grown up with a fisherman in the house, her Dad.  So it completely made sense that her Groom Kollyn would also head out to sea often, bringing back the treats of the sea.  Fittingly, their wedding was infused with all things nautical.  Her parents amazing waterfront home was the perfect setting.  Ellen Peterson of Serenity Weddings ( http://www.eventsbyellen.com/Serenity/Serenity.html ), guided the day through to its flawless finish.  Keryn’s cake was darling, bejewled with the bounty of the sea, all edible of course… Celebrity Cakes ( http://www.celebritycakestudio.com/ ) are so amazing!  Her bold color palette was punctuated perfectly with flowers by Julie Elgin at Always and Forever Creations ( http://www.alwaysandforevercreationsinc.com/ ).  One of the highlights of the evening was the wedding video… A same day edit by the talented Laura and Chris of Edit 1 Media ( http://www.edit1media.com/ )  left the audience with teary smiles.  It was simply a perfect wedding celebration, especially being whisked away in a vintage Rolls Royce.  I am so grateful for the wonderful people I happen to meet along the way… Congrats Keryn and Kollyn!! Love to you!!

Anny knew she wanted tropical colors for her wedding–but the perfectly tropical heat was a bonus for Washington! What a beautiful bride– a deep, rich brunette, she was striking with her luminous skin and dress. Alex is one lucky man! She had a team of creative family members helping, and you can see the delicious attention to detail throughout.  Cynthia from Capitol Florist, brought the most amazing flowers to life–the bouquets looked like tropical fireworks!  The day was lovely, we even happened upon the gelato cart from Mercato during photos. What a treat! Thanks to the entire wedding party for being such fun and up for climbing on an old caboose for a quick photo! So glad the State Patrol didn’t throw us off… Hope you two are enjoying Hawaii!!

It is such a delight to work with the same family over the years.  I have photographed seniors, engagement and families photos for this beautiful clan.  I was thrilled when Don and Jackie booked their daughter Christy’s wedding with me.  Christy now lives in Texas and had to rely on her parents for much of the logistical wedding planning.  I had only communicated with her via email until the wedding week when we finally had an opportunity to meet over lunch.  Brian and Christy are a lovely, humble couple who laugh easily and smile with their eyes.  And she has the most beautiful, shiny hair I have ever seen!  My only regret is that I didn’t have a chance for a barbecue lesson…from a REAL Texan!  hahaha  Enjoy your trip down the coast, you sweet honeymooners!

I love the feel of the sun on my skin.  It instantly calms me.  So I’ve been celebrating each day this week as the sun makes her glorious appearance.  It was a perfect evening for an engagement session as Laura, Ron and I headed out.  Nearly 83 degrees, we all agreed that a refreshing, cool cocktail would likely be the best way to begin our session.  (I love these two immensely…)  Entering The Brotherhood –a perfect little hideaway: cool, dark and sexy. Grey Goose martinis, tart olives and rum for Ron, done and done.  We then braced ourselves for the warmth and spent the rest of the evening smiling.  Who wouldn’t be smiling with friends who break out a bottle of Macallan 25 year old scotch… The glowing illumination of Glassy Babies and the outdoor fire place was as close to a perfect way to end and evening as it comes–thanks to Susan and Scott for their gracious hospitality.  I can’t wait to photograph their wedding celebration at the Olympia Golf & Country Club next month–it’s going to be all kinds of crazy, in the very best way : )  Cheers to you both!

I photographed Kiersten and David’s New Years Even wedding nearly two years ago.  A brilliant party and festive night, their guests danced into the wee hours.  I was thrilled for the when I found out they were expecting! And I could barely wait to capture their darling new baby boy Cruz!  They are a lovely couple, completely enamored with their little guy.  He was about the most complacent baby, barely fussed at all.  But when your needs are met, why fuss?  Congratulations you three!! xoxo

My younger brother Zachary was married this past Saturday–the baby of a family of six kids, of which four of those older siblings are sisters.  When he was little we would drag him around on our hips, put him in dresses and generally dote on him.  He was such a funny little kid, razor wit and humor, even at four. And he still is completely hilarious.  I know that’s one thing Desiree loves about him… we all do! Who doesn’t like to laugh?

Zach proposed to his bride Desiree last year when we were all on holiday in Maui.  It was so special to be able to share that with them, and to celebrate their engagement in such a stunning place.

Their wedding day was glorious–absolutely perfect sunny weather.  One of those days in the Northwest that helps us to remember why we endure the long gray months of fall, winter and most of spring (ha).

It was a lovely ceremony and GREAT party!  I love being with all of my siblings–they are all creative, expressive and so dang fun.  It was A LOT of family time time this weekend, but surprisingly drama free! I hope Zach and Desiree are stretched out on a Mexican beach sipping margaritas about now…  Too bad I couldn’t convince them to take me along for Honeymoon photo coverage!