Essential Stuff

Stacy and David’s wedding almost felt a bit like a reunion for me.  Not only had I done their engagement pictures earlier, but just last year, I was privileged to photograph the wedding of Ryne and Shayley, who happens to be Stacy’s sister (and brother-in-law, obviously).  It was good to see Stacy’s family again.

But as I’ve said many times, no two weddings are alike.  So even if the ceremony venue was the same, and the reception venue was the same, and even the officiant and the DJ (and photographer!) were the same, the day was uniquely Stacy and David’s (images here).  We had a great time doing portraits, both before and after the ceremony (watch for the food workers!).  The toasts were fun and moving.  The dancing was lively, and David’s friends from Montana brought a unique flavor.  Mostly, it was just fun to watch David and Stacy together, connected and enjoying their family and friends and mostly, each other.

Kaleena and Joel are the second couple I photographed this summer who married at the Chewelah Peak Learning Center, which is waaaaay up on Chewelah Peak.  That was good, because I think the altitude and breeze kept the temperatures a few notches below 100.  Not that it would have mattered:  Kaleena and Joel would have had a great time anyway.

They were laughing and smiling the whole day.  A lot of the happy goodies were planned (the sprinting down the aisle after the ceremony, the First Dance Surprise, some goofy portraits), while others were spontaneous (like Kaleena being asked to take Joel as her wife; and the joyful relief when Kaleena didn’t tip over backwards down the embankment).  I’m not sure, but I have the feeling that even if she had gone down, she still would have thought it was delightful.  Nothing, really, could make this day go wrong.  A full gallery of images is available here.

Elaina and Chris married at the Sons of Norway center in Spokane, though they wanted to see each other for the first time at a park.  Unfortunately, the park they had in mind was overrun with little leaguers; fortunately, there is a school with a playground right across the street, and it proved to be quite scenic, very private, and a beautiful start to the day.

The ceremony was sweet.  The marriage certificate signing was festive.  And at the reception, the speeches were delightful:  Elaina’s maid of honor had every one crying with a poem Elaina had written, and both Christopher’s best man and brother had people laughing.  Then it was on to the dancing, which went late into the summer night, and long after all the little leaguers had gone home.  Images from the day can be found here.

I had photographed Brenda and Brian’s wedding several years ago in the absolutely beautiful Ft. Sherman Chapel in Coeur d’Alene. So when they called wondering if I would do some family portraits with them, I glad happy to do it; it is always fun to talk with couples again whose weddings I have photographed. They also scouted out a great location, on a remote little beach on Coeur d’Alene Lake. Good stuff.

Oh, and their daughter is adorable.

I can honestly say, Cara and Dan’s wedding featured some of the most lively dancing–if not THE most lively dancing–I have seen at a wedding, and it was all sans alcohol.  These two just have music in their bones.

Fitting, then, that these two met on a karaoke site online.  (I didn’t even know those existed!)  These two HAD to find each other somehow.

And once they started dancing, they REALLY started dancing (photographic evidence, as well as the highlights of the rest of the day, can be found here).  At one point I heard Dan tell his brother, “I don’t really know how to dance.  I’m just faking it.”  He had me fooled!  At any rate, it’s clear that Cara and Dan know how to have fun.  Their wedding was a kick.

Shawna and Eric live here in Spokane, which is where I met them originally, but they married in Yakima, at the beautiful St. Joseph’s Parish, rebuilt in this past decade after a fire gutted the original building.  Maybe it was the heat, or the cramped quarters in which he got ready, but Eric had a bit of nerves, but they all melted away when the ceremony started.  I am kind of a sucker for grooms that get teary during the ceremony.  And Eric didn’t even wait until Shawna came down the aisle–he started crying as soon as the first attendants made their way down.

The ceremony itself was beautiful, with Shawna and Eric serving the communion wine.  And then it was off to Yakima Arboretum, for a carefree, celebratory (and scenic) reception.  Pictures from the day can be found here.

After massive thunderstorms and rain the night before, all were pleased that the sun came out for Morgan and Matthew’s wedding.  Blue skies, photogenic clouds, and not a drop of rain.  Sunny all the way around.

I chose the removal of the garter as the “fun and festive” photo from the day, though I could have chosen one from the cake cutting.  Those in attendance know what happened.  Morgan knows.  Matt knows, and might be fearing retribution.  And while the photographic evidence does show that Morgan started it, there is also clear proof that Matt did some illegal holding.   Good times all around (as you can see here).  Beautiful day, beautiful setting, beautiful people.

When people see me and say, “You look familiar,” I always say, “Have you been to any weddings recently?”  It’s especially fun to say at weddings, and I had the occasion this weekend, because I looked familiar to the groom’s sister, who, in turns in, had been a bridesmaid in a wedding I photographed several years ago.  I love it when that kind of thing happens.

As for Christy and Travis, their wedding seemed perfect for their personalities–unpretentious, relaxed, casual.  Many of their family and friends had stayed up the weekend at the lodge, and so it almost seemed like a camping excursion / family reunion / WSU party / wedding all rolled into one.

I had done Alyssa and Caleb’s engagement session, so I knew they would be fun, and fun they were, and their wedding day was perfect.  It started with hanging out a bit downtown:  champaigne (or Italian soda, or beer) at Madeleine’s Cafe, a little walk through town, and finally a spin on the Carousel (in dresses and tuxedos, of course).  Alyssa grabbed the ring several times (appropriately), but Caleb, a senior starter on the Washington State University basketball team, didn’t manage to toss the ring the in clown’s mouth.

Then there was the ceremony itself, which was sweet and personal.  It was also a bit toasty.  It felt like an August wedding, not a May wedding, and I was astonished when I discovered later that Spokane hadn’t officially broken 90.  I would have estimated 95.  I’m guessing several of the members of the bridal party would agree, and while there was no actual fainting, there was at least one close call.

Then everyone went inside for the cold beverages, Fajita Margaritas, and dancing (in the cool of the Glover Mansion).   It was clear from the first dance that Caleb as a smooth on the dance floor as he is determined on the basketball court, and Alyssa managed to do several dozen spins in heels and dress with perfect grace.  My guess is they had done a bit of practicing.  And practice makes perfect.  Really, a perfect day.

Alex new it was going to be a good day when he got up, went fishing, and caught a fish. Not that it would have mattered. His real catch was marrying Jessica.

WSU grads, through and through, when they told me they wanted pictures at Martin Stadium, I thought, cool. Little did I know that they were, in fact WSU intramural co-ed flag football champions, and had brought along props: pompoms and a football. Even more cool. So cool, in fact, that our activity attracted the attention of the photographer for the athletic department. At first I thought we might be in some trouble (I wasn’t sure our parking was valid), but he just wanted to get their contact information in case he uses some images on the WSU website. Cool again.

There was a lot to enjoy on this day: wheat in the boutonnieres, portraits on a merry-go-round and teeter-totter (who even know those could still be found?!), a prolonged cake cutting (there were some technical difficulties), some tender dancing, and a special gift saved away for Jessica by a grandmother before she passed several years ago. It ended with a gorgeous Palouse sunset. Not a bad day indeed.