Seattle Garden Wedding at Center for Urban Horticulture

Nathan and Malia planned their wedding during a cross-country move during a pandemic. For that alone they should win an award. They should also win an award, however, for pulling together one of the most heartfelt, artful, meaningful and essential weddings of all time. The day was so beautiful (much due to some talented contributions from the vendor team), but it wasn’t “about” the details. Nathan and Malia were so focused on each other and their guests, and were fully immersed in each moment. It was a joy to be part of it.

The UW Center for Urban Horticulture is a gem of a Seattle wedding venue. It’s right in the mix of things for ease of traveling guests but its pastoral reaches are vast and lush, surprising for a venue so proximate to the city. The garden for the ceremony is just far removed enough from the reception area that it feels like you’re transported to another little plane. Chanel from Elevine Field did the most beautiful arrangement for their ceremony space. She also created one of the most fragrant and dreamy bouquets ever, filled with fresh geranium leaves. Kirstie from Simply Wed kept the whole day running smoothly and made everyone feel right at home.

For their wedding, Nathan and Malia decided to put their trust in me to capture a good deal of it on film. Shooting film is my favorite way to capture weddings. It helps me stay present moment to moment because I’m not checking the back of my camera. It makes me more conscious of my compositions since I can’t shoot a thousand frames and it helps me feel so connected to a tangible art form. And your wedding photos should feel artful, not just document the day! I’m also drawn to the natural texture and colors inherent in film. The only editing I do is a little exposure correction here and there, maybe a crop. Otherwise it’s a real piece of the day physically created in the moment. I think that’s really cool.

Vendor Team:

Wedding Planner Simply Wed - Kirstie Warren simplywed.com

Photography Emily Keeney emilykeeney.com

Catering & Cake Table Catering Co. - Brooke Perez tablecateringco.com

Florist Elevine Field & Flora - Chanel elevinefield.com

Band Blue Wave Band - David Dawda info@bluewaveband.com

Hair & Makeup Katherine Esque

Gown Veka Bridal (Brooklyn, NY) vekabridal.com

Alterations Jill McGowan (Portland, Maine) jillmcgowan.com

Groom's Attire Suit Supply suitsupply.com

Rentals Cort Party Rentals - Renee Eddy cort.com

Farm Tables Seattle Farm Tables - Mike seattlefarmtables@gmail.com

Towncar Seattle Elite Towncar seattleelitetowncar.com

Corson Building Wedding | Seattle Photographer

Getting to the place in my career where a great deal of my work comes from referrals is the most rewarding thing. Good old Google is always welcome, but there’s something about a line stringing through all of these people from different areas of life and being able to tell their stories. And then their loved ones’ stories. This was one such wedding where a friend introduced me to Nicole and Noah, and it was just a joy from start to finish.

I’ve always had such a love for the Corson Building and its unique urban garden setting (driving by it you wouldn’t even believe its there, it’s basically underneath I-5!). It’s family owned and operated which gives it such an amazing feeling. Not to mention the food was the best I’ve ever had at a wedding (and I’ve tasted some dang good dishes!). My favorite part of the day is when the light starts to go down and the garden lights begin to glow, all of the guests laughing and spending time together underneath.

Noah and Nicole’s family and friends were the warmest and most loving and joyful, and everywhere I looked there was a smiling face and someone to chat with. When I can enmesh myself in the night, and not just witness it as an outsider, it really is magical and I always love those photos the most. I hope it comes off on the couple’s side too — like it was a friend taking the photos and seeing them through warm eyes.

I could go on, but I’ll let the photos do the rest of the talking.

Florist (bouquet & boutonnière): Villanelle Floral

Hair: Jamie Taylor at Salon Bella in Bellevue

Officiant: David, “Forever, Together”

Engagement ring: Joseph Jewelry

Bride’s wedding ring: The North Way Studio

Cake: Deep Sea Sugar and Salt

Dress: Carmen Marc Valvo

Seattle Forest Elopement in a Cozy Cabin | PNW Wedding Photographer

This was the coziest elopement tucked into the North Cascades in early autumn. Just the couple and the bride’s sister & brother-in-law, oh and an amazing private chef (well, and me). It was not over-planned. In fact, we came up with the idea for the candles in the days before, texting photos and ideas and a quick store trip! Her jumpsuit was so simple and chic, and sneakers won over fussy heels. Sometimes less is truly more. It was a gorgeous day and I was honored to capture it. A few elopement planning tips after the jump!

3 Tips For Elopement Planning

1. Choose a location that has personal significance to you. One of the biggest benefits to opting for an elopement is that you don’t have to consider factors like venues, guests preferences, ease of access, parking, etc. AirBnB is an awesome place to start. Oftentimes the property of your rental is enough to make for the perfect setting.

2. Write your own vows or love letters, and do it by hand. Not only will your personal words make for a much more intimate and meaningful celebration but being able to look back at your handwriting and hold those words in your hands forever is one of the best gifts you can give to yourselves.

3. Hire your key vendors! For some this might mean having a planner take over all the details and ensure your elopement both looks and feels perfect, letting you relax and take it all in. Even though elopements are smaller than full weddings, they still have lots of moving pieces that you won’t realize until you’re in the final swing! Having a chef cater a dinner makes it feel really luxurious at a way smaller price tag than a full wedding, and is much more special than a frozen pizza. Hiring a photographer to capture it all is a gift to yourself that you’ll treasure forever (and maybe to share with loved ones who didn’t attend in person!).

If you have dreams of a smaller elopement that’s still full of magic, don’t hesitate to get in touch! I’d love to hear your story and help you make it all come true.

Trinity Tree Farm Wedding | Seattle Wedding Photographer

Allie and Andy’s wedding day was so anticipated after the long year of shutdowns. We took their engagement photos exactly a year before their wedding (which was super cute and special), and I remember thinking that there would be NO WAY the pandemic would stretch that far. Regardless, restrictions were lifted and it made for a day of so much celebration. The feeling of joyful togetherness was tangible, and the dance floor was packed the entire night (shoutout to Sounds Unlimited!).

Shooting a wedding at Trinity Tree Farm is a photographer’s dream, because it has the iconic PNW/Seattle feel with the mountains and the tall evergreens, and the lodge building gets the most gorgeous natural light through its entire walls of windows. As the sun went down it created such a cozy glow in their reception for guests to enjoy going back and forth between the bar, dancing, and the beautiful property complete with a s’mores pit.

Wishing them a lifetime of happiness!

The talented vendor team:

Coordination: Hallea Events

Photo: Emily Keeney Photography

Video: Belscope Films

Venue: Trinity Tree Farm

Cake: Blue Box Bakery

Caterer: Ravishing Radish

DJ: Sounds Unlimited

Stationery: The Fancy Cat Studio

Rentals: Cort Party Rentals

Florals: Brier and Ivy

HMUA: Zo and Co

Transportation: Butler Seattle

Photobooth: Shutterbus