During the course of a seemingly ceaseless streak of grey November days, there was a break in the rain and for a brief moment, a groom spied his bride, and all was right with the world.  So the two of them shared an amazing fall day with one another, their families, and close friends, perched on the side of the Columbia River Gorge…and promised to love each other to the end of time.

Morgan and Jeff needed little more than three weeks time, the mad planning skills of Debbie from Hitched In The Hood and a setting that truly showcases the beauty of the Gorge, the Columbia Gorge Hotel.  Because everything else, including the brief sun, was gravy.

Thank you both so very much for the absolute honor.

From day one, Ashley + Nick were the sweetest couple to work with, but because of the distance, we didn’t meet until their wedding day.  So it was no surprise that they were even more wonderful in person.  And between the two of them, their incredibly supportive friends + extended family, I think I had about as much fun as they did.   All the forces of Northwest nature came together to deliver spectacular weather for their wedding, which took place at the Cedar Cove Inn, located up in Port Orchard, Washington…a beautiful + historic home carefully remodeled and converted into a B + B that overlooks the bay + the Olympic Mountains.  It was the ideal backdrop for their celebration.

So the thoughtfulness and personal connection to all the details were the icing on the cake.  Ashley’s friend and insanely talented stylist Yessie came over from Seattle to help get the girls ready.  They were married by a friend.  And yet another friend Chef Ryan, who has traveled + worked the world over, delivered on some amazing pulled pork + other summer picnic-style eats.  They handed out beautiful hand stamped programs for the day.  Featured a collection of photographs pinned to a clothesline surrounding the dance floor.  And served up local brews in bell jars, complete with name tags and game teasers.

Ashley + Nick, I hope your future together is equally beautiful + playful + full of love as your wedding day.

It was a dark + stormy…afternoon.  But in true Oregon style, Kristen + Will shared their vows + love + celebration as planned in their own backyard.  As they exchanged rings with one another, they also gave rings to each of their kids, a very touching and all encompassing embrace of their new family unit.  And extended family + friends had a hand in providing everything from food to flowers to music to chicken chasers.  It was a true “barn raising” of a wedding…and it was an incredible honor to be a part of their day.

I wish you both a lifetime of love through the rain.

My cheeks hurt at the end of the day.  Because you can’t help but smile when you’re taking pictures of two of the sweetest, most sincere people who could not be more in love and more excited to be married to one another.  The ear-to-ear grins they both had all day were proof of that.

Thank you so much JR + Sasha for sharing with me your day, your friends + family, and your honest to goodness love.  You are two very unique and wonderful people and I wish you a lifetime of very unique and wonderful things.

Happy one week anniversary…

Who needs a studio, when you have this.  I don’t want to be giving away my sweet locations, because then everyone photographer in town will want to shoot there.  Let’s just say it rhymes with ‘trailer park’.

JR had spent the previous 10+ hours scanning country music stations on his drive up from the Bay Area.  And still they were game for any number of antics.  I’m so much looking forward to their May wedding.