It was a beautiful, yet rainy, day in Salem Oregon at the Salvation Army Kroc Corps Community Center where I had the opportunity to enjoy the marriage of two college friends, Jenna and Andrew. Just 7 months ago we met in Seattle for an engagement shoot and now it was time for the ceremony. I could not have asked for a more enjoyable couple.

We had plenty of time before the ceremony to make some memorable portraits. Andrew is quite the jokester, so smiles came easy.

Andrew makes some final adjustments to his boutonniere while Jenna rounds the corner in her wedding dress. It’s time for the first look!

The ladies matched wonderfully with their light blue dresses and yellow shoes.

Each bouquet of flowers was adorned with the most interesting buttons.

Between the ‘Mad Dog’ stare-downs and lightsaber battles, Andrew and the men kept me smiling. These guys know how to ham it up.

Just before the ceremony, Jenna and Andrew settled some disagreements with a dramatic lightsaber battle. Jenna won (of course…).

The ceremony begins! Jenna is escorted by her father.

The reception hall was decorated with a yellow and white theme. Each table had their own cake.

Along with a memory book, prize lottery, and thumb-print tree, guests enjoyed photographs from Jenna and Andrew’s childhood.

After a quick wardrobe change, the newly-wed couple rode off into the setting sun. Wooohoo! Goodbye!

More photos from Jenna and Andrew’s wedding are available here: Gallery.

It’s extremely fun to photograph a wedding. There’s always someone crying, someone laughing, and some kid wandering around stealing flowers and knocking over chairs. It’s pure craziness! It’s sometimes so crazy that I don’t get a chance to get to know the bride and groom. Sure, we exchange emails before the wedding and meet in person to go over the important details, but there’s never time to just walk around and talk! Where are you from? Where did you meet? How did he propose? These are all important things to know and really help me focus on the the right stuff when we meet on the wedding day.

This is why I was super excited when Jenna and Andrew told me they were available for an engagement shoot. What a great opportunity to get to know you two! Despite the 60% chance of rain, we met early afternoon at Discovery Park in Seattle and were rewarded with the best weather of the week.

Thank you Jenna and Andrew for following me through mud, sand, and grass. You didn’t know you signed up for a hike. Thank you for all the smiles. Thank you for humoring me in my misguided attempts to pose you. You two are so obviously in love and it naturally shows. I’m so excited for your wedding and can’t wait to make more photos!

I really liked the low sun and Jenna and Andrew made it easy for me to play with the light. They’re quite comfortable in front of the camera.

Burgers on the table and boutonnieres on the floor, the pre-game had begun. Carly was upstairs putting on her dress and Brandon next door laughing with his buddies. The rain just stopped and guests were arriving. It was a very special day at The Edgewater Hotel. As they prepared for one of the most important days of their life, the Edgewater catering staff transformed the top-floor Olympic Ballroom into a romantic wedding backdrop. A few hours and tears later, Carly and Brandon were ready to start the next chapter of their life… but not before cutting into the bluest cake I’ve ever seen!

Carly and Brandon, thank you for sharing your wedding day with me. You took great care of me and I felt like a superstar. I think it’s rare to see a couple so comfortable with each other and obviously in love. Paige is a lucky little girl and wish you three the best!

The 3rd floor dressing room was glowing with light when I arrived. Carly’s dress just lit up.

Standing outside the bathroom waiting for the door to open is slightly awkward, but definitely worth it.

Bonus points to whoever decided to dress next to the window. AMAZING lighting!

Paige was ready for the big day before anyone else.

The men were getting ready too, although their preparation seemed a bit more casual.

Leading to the front door of The Edgewater Hotel is a partially covered walkway. Since it stopped raining, we decided to head out there for the first look. Brandon is waiting patiently for Carly to approach…

Here she comes!

After Carly and Brandon had a chance to see each other, we wandered over to the giant fireplace that sits in front of the hotel, then upstairs to visit Paige and grab some more formal portraits of family and friends.

So. Cute.

Blue was the color of the day.

The hotel sits on the Puget Sound, so friendly gulls were everywhere.

And now it’s time for the ceremony!

Carly walked up with her brother.

Tears! I love it.

The first kiss as man and wife.

After the wedding, Carly and Brandon were able to check out their hotel suite and take care of some official wedding business.

Following happy hour, the sun started to set and it was time for the first dance. The view from the Olympic Ballroom was exceptional.

Dinner time!

And here’s the cake. It was very blue and very tasty.

After the sun set, the evening finished with some dancing, a tossing of the bouquet, and some garter hunting.

Thank you Carly and Brandon!

They say rain is good luck, but it’s even better luck when the sun completely ignores the weather forecast and shines anyway. Morgan walked quickly around Floral Hall in Forest Park setting up for the evening’s reception. The sun just broke and, in true Pacific Northwest fashion, the entire Forest Park glowed in warm even light. It was time! The weather was perfect, the tables were set, and the groomsmen were gathering in the hall. It was the best possible beginning.

Bridget and Morgan, thank you so much for sharing your wedding day with me. I could not have asked for a more animated and fun couple to photograph! You two are naturals and your happiness is contagious. I’ve never smiled so much to myself while staring at a computer and editing photos. I have no doubt great days are ahead for you.

With the beautiful overcast lighting, the quick portrait session before the ceremony went well. Bridget didn’t mind getting the dress a little dirty…

While the ladies preparing in a remote location, Morgan and the groomsmen played it cool.

When the ladies arrived, we headed over to the largest hill I’ve ever seen in a park.

Right when I thought there couldn’t be more energy in the air, I met JD. I think this next photo was pure luck because there’s not a camera on this earth fast enough to capture this guy!

After the portraits, we all migrated to St. Mary Magdalen Parish for a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony.

Morgan waits just outside the frame while Bridget is escorted by her father.

There was not much lighting in the Parish, but the lighting that did exists was warm and dramatic.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you man and wife!

There was time for a few photos of the wedding party after the ceremony. What a fun group!

Good luck finding these flowers anywhere. They were prepared just for this special day with… glue.

A Rolls Royce waits just outside the door and a bottle of chilled bubbly on the seat.

The reception was at Floral Hall in Forest Park. Red checkered tablecloths and colorful bouquets were spread about. I felt like I was much further South than Washington state.

The cake! The little red roses on white frosting matched the table cloth. I think I overheard that the roses were painted with spray paint… but I could be wrong.

I ate so many of these mints…

I’m not sure whose more excited here: Bridget, Morgan, or the two girls in the background.

Oh boy, that’s true comfort right there!

Cheers! The lighting was difficult during the toast, but I like how the photos came out in black and white.

The first dance. I liked the lighting fixtures and included them in most of the dancing photos. They remind me of a ship steering wheel.

This was quite possibly the highlight of the evening. I forgot what this dance was called (sadly), but it’s a Reed family tradition. Everyone waltzed around in the most amazing masks and wigs and exchanged notes written on pieces of paper. I won’t pretend to understand the dance, but I did enjoy it.

Just before leaving, I noticed this small frosting rose on the table. Thanks again Bridget and Morgan!