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

Multicultural Home Micro Wedding in Seattle

Daniel and Jessica are the kind of couple that instantly make you feel included, like their joy is yours to share in, and that they’re really and truly just present in the moment. Which is why, even at the end of a very intimate wedding, I felt the same rush of energy that I would feel at 200-person weddings, just an air of absolute celebration.

I’ve written a bit about the joys of the micro-wedding this year, but truly, seeing it play out in different settings and avenues just continues to show how magical small weddings really are. Their day still held the traditional elements of getting ready, a church ceremony, portraits and a gathering, but when pared down to such a small group the energy is immediately calmer, simpler and I’ve noticed how present the couple can be with each other and their guests. I love big celebrations, too, but I’ve really come to embrace the limitations that Covid-era weddings has brought upon us!

We kept the timeline simple, super-simple, but I still urged them to make time for a 20-minute stop at one of my favorite little forests just north of Seattle for some quick portraits. I love this time of the day because I get to connect with just the couple, really get a wavelength going and document their love with open creativity and freedom. I brought both film and digital to their wedding and, as usual, the film holds the magic for me!

Enjoy, dare you to try not to grin ear to ear.

Whidbey Island Elopement on Digital + Film | Seattle Wedding Photographer

When I first met with Marcela + Max, I felt instantly connected to their outlook and plans for a very intimate wedding with just their immediate family. Marcela, also a talented photographer, has a passion for film too, so I knew I could bring more of it into this gallery in a creative way. I had some rolls of expired Fujifilm that a previous groom had gifted me, and it was so fun (scary?!) to experiment with it and see the result. I love the sepia vibes that those frames add to the sun-soaked ceremony.

The wedding took place at Max’s parent’s house on Whidbey Island, one of my favorite places in Washington. Just a short ferry ride from Seattle, it feels drastically different with small towns, incredible mountain views, and lots and lots of beaches lining the shore. It’s also where one of my favorite movies ever, Practical Magic, was shot. (Don’t judge me!)

I met the couple at The Inn at Whidbey where they stayed, and we took some quick portraits there before heading out to a private beach for the rest of their photos. 2020 has given me so much appreciation for these simple and sweet days. No overwhelming timelines, all the connection, and so meaningful. I feel so much freer to create and love to enmesh with the families.