Erik and Taylor

Erik and Taylor

We had the honor of photographing Erik and Taylor four weeks ago today and usually we are much quicker at getting a blog written, but we have been suffering a writer’s block.  It is probably because we have some tint of rose color to our glasses as we reflect on the day.  You see we have known Taylor since was a little girl, proudly proclaiming she was a “big girl”.  Taylor has always wanted to be the grown up independent young lady she is now and it is bitter sweet seeing it as actuality. 

So with the glasses off we are here to tell you what a beautiful and awesome wedding it was for Erik and Taylor.  The usual for perfect weather so that we enjoyed photographing inside and out, but it was their venues that were marvelous for a wedding.  And we did say “venues”, they had 3 plus the town of Echo. 

 

The church in Hermiston was an ideal setting for the ceremony and then we were off to Sno Road Winery in Echo.  

The winery was a historical building that served as a theater with a stage still intact.  How perfect to showcase the head table

While the guests enjoyed some remarkable wine, we took advantage of the romantically lit wine cellar for a few steal away couple portraits.

The Maid of Honor and Best Man did a superb job of sharing the endearing qualities and traits of Erik and Taylor as individuals as well as a couple.   They are both very dedicated individuals who serve our country and protect our rights as citizens of the United States.  They take that commitment into their marriage.

Many times during the day we had to stay in the moment and not stroll down memory lane, especially as we watched Taylor interact with her dad.  As a little girl she would give her dad that look of “come on dad let’s do something a little wild and crazy here” and her wedding was really no different.  As the song Thrift Shop started to play Taylor fired that look across the dance floor to her dad and true to form, Brian did not back away.  It was by far the most amazing father/daughter dance we have ever seen in our 14 years of photographing weddings!

As the formal reception drew to an end we went exploring Echo.  We had a lot of fun using the old buildings as settings for our images, but the best part was getting to witness Eric and Taylor enjoy being fun and playful in the moment!  

Then we headed to the family farm for just a couple more shutter snaps.  With those last few snaps we sent them on their way to enjoy the informal reception with the friends and family who followed them to the farm.  

It was then that Erik laced Taylor into her military boots, as if to symbolize they were headed off to fight and win this.  We not sure if it was to win the battle of marriage or life or maybe at that moment their second reception. 

As we departed from them we smiled and said life for them is an adventure to be lived fully and we believe that will be the theme for their marriage. 

Larry and Sonja Special Do Over Day                       

By Mary Ann

So how many times in life do you wish you could have a do over?  I know there are a few days I would rewind and redo.  But I never have.  I just settle with saying I probably never will.  But not Sonja Yearsley, she has inspired me to rethink my “probably never will” thoughts.

Last Fall Sonja contacted us and said she wanted a redo of her wedding pictures.  We said we were all in---let’s set the date.  So April 8, late afternoon was marked in purple on our calendar. 

Then Sonja went to work: She bought a dress, a beautiful princess dress that she had always dreamed of wearing. 

Then she ordered a Tux for her dashing Groom and flowers.  After the flowers she set the appointments for the hair and makeup artists that she wanted on her wedding day but were not available.  She left no detailed unplanned for her redo.

As the day approach she asked about locations for her wedding portraits, we asked about her adventure level and she said she was in for whatever we had in mind.  We told her that she would need to forego wedding slippers for our planned desitination. She said that was “perfect” for her.  She always wanted to be the bride in tennis shoes!

On her Redo Day she was beautiful:  her hair, her make up and her attitude were radiating beauty and Larry was so handsome.  The two looked at each other as if they were saying I do for the first time, not a redo 14 years later. 

“Wow” was the only word I could say over and over again!

So the adventure began, we went to McNary for a picnic and then to Twin Sisters for a hike.  It was hours of pure fun: talking, laughing and photographing.  

As we photographed Sonja and Larry we talked about the dreams they had on their wedding day and the plans they had made.  Funny thing – life changes our plans, thankfully in good ways. 

And the ways that aren't good, well Sonja’s attitude is we just redo them!  As we finished our session, Sonja smiled and said today was everything I dreamed it would be! 

After Sonja and Larry drove away I felt energized and thankful that I was a part of someone's dream!  Thank you Sonja for showing me the joy of Do Overs! 

The beauty of Do Overs!!!

Nate and Darci

Darci and Nate’s Wedding Day—A true love story

Written by Mary Ann

When I posted a sneak peak of Nate and Darci’s special day on our Facebook page I said, “Their story has all the makings of a Nicholas Sparks’ novel.”  But thanks to Rich I take back that comment.  Rich says Nicholas Sparks always has a death or some sad event in his novels and for the record Nate and Darci don’t need any of that in their lives!  So I have changed my mind, my all-time favorite romance writer is Jane Austin, so I have decided that their story has all the makings for a modern times Jane Austin novel.

Here is their story, in a very quick overview.  Nate and Darci dated their senior year in high school and their romance included a ring with dreams for a future together clear back then, but young love has a way of growing up and sometimes that includes growing apart.  The two graduated in 1993 and went their own ways including college and careers.  Then one day 18 years after graduation Nate is riding his motorcycle down the street and who does he see?  Yes you guessed it!

So finally on September 20, 2013, Darci walked down the aisle and Nate is waiting for her.  They both looked at each other with the love that Jane Austin would have written about with beautiful worded illustrations.  

Darci was so incredibly beautiful in her gorgeous wedding gown and Nate was so handsome in his tuxedo.

As we gathered in the late afternoon, the weather was perfect and the décor was simply charming.  Darci’s grandfather’s antique car added to the charm and was a wonderful prop for couple portraits.  

As the afternoon gave away to the evening the sunset was breath taking and the candles surrounding the ceremony took over the task of illuminating our bridal couple adding romantic lighting to the “I do’s”.

Immediately following the ceremony the celebration began!  There was a true tangible joy in the air.  It was fun hearing conversations about how exciting it was to see Nate and Darci together and the toasts echoed everything that was being said by the attendees. 

As the evening gave away to the night, Nate and Darci jumped into her grandfather’s car and drove away with the smiles

still radiating from the wedding couple and all of the guests.  It was an honor to witness and photograph their special day and for the record we were smiling all evening as well.  Why even Jane Austin would have been smiling knowing that their love story was a novel in the makings!

Congratulations!

Perfect Weather for a Perfect Couple

     

As the weekend drew closer, the weather was working hard to cause stress in our beautiful bride’s life.  Thursday night’s storm front with tornado warnings were enough to make anyone a little uneasy, but if your wedding was just 2 days away, well you would be anxious, but come Saturday morning all uneasiness and anxiousness passed with the sunshine.  It was a gorgeous day and by mid afternoon it was a perfect day of weather which mirrored our wedding couple.

 Josh and Candace were what every photographer hopes to work with, perfect.  We seem to luck out and get lots of couples like this!  Candace was so relaxed about how the day would unfold, she only had one moment of needing to take deep breaths, but that was to keep the tears from staining her checks!  She was a picture of beauty in her free wedding gown, yes—FREE.  A coworker gave it to her 6 years ago saying it had never been worn and she wanted it out of her closet, so Candace has a gown before a groom!  But you would have never in a million years guessed it was a gifted gown, it looked like it had been made for her.

The groom was the pillar of strength and collectiveness as well.  He was so handsome in his tuxedo and he too, only had to breath deep once.  That of course was when he eye-catching bride was coming down the aisle to him.

After a lovely ceremony at Sacred Heart Church, we travel but a mile down the road to the picturesque Walter Clore Event Center, overlooking the lower valley and Yakima River. 

 It was the first time we have had the opportunity to photograph there and it is a gem of a venue. 

As the evening fell upon us, we enjoyed photographing them, their family and all of the large and small details of their reception including homemade wine glasses for the wedding party.  

Josh and Candace also personalized their day with their own homemade wine, that received several good reviews from the guests and each guest was given a corkscrew as a take away. 

As the sun set everyone was smiling, including us.  What a joy to be a part of a wedding day for a wonderful couple.  Congratulations Josh and Candace and thank you for allowing us to capture your special day.

Zachary and Ashley's Wedding Day

August 10, will forever be a special day for Zachary and Ashley.  As this day comes around each year they will look back with a smile, look forward with hope and love will hold all the other days together.

As the wedding hour approached Ashley had the best attitude, especially after the storm the night before her wedding day.  All she kept saying was “it’s a beautiful day, and we will accept the wind, because it is not raining.”  Her words and attitude reflected the beauty their relationship as well.

During the best man’s toast, the definition of love by the groom was shared.  Love is defined as a “choice” and you have to make that choice.  That is Zachary and Ashley—they make incredible choices: first, they choose to love God and that showed in their ceremony, second they choose to love each other and that showed in their vows and thirdly they choose to love the life they have and that showed in their attitude about the day. Wow-what a gift to witness love as a choice in action.

It was a pleasure to work with Zachary and Ashley and we know that they will have many special August 10ths in their lives.  Thank you for including us in the 2013 August 10^th!

Alex and Heather Job

July 27, 2013 -- What a peacock perfect day for a wedding!  Especially for Alex and Heather, who lined up all of the best for their day! 

Their story is an adorable one, as all are, but it’s cute twist was that Heather joined Alex one day at the family owned Nursery and that is the when the family knew she was the one for him.  Or at least that is the story that the best man, Arthur Job, gave in his toast.  

And the nursery is where the peacock theme came from.  As Heather said, it started as an idea that took on a life of its own.  But the colors where so much fun to work with, so alive and vibrant and the peacock feathers were so abundant in the decorations!

Each of them brought something special to the wedding that was a part of who they are.  Alex brought the plants, trees, and flowers to the wedding and Heather brought the corvette and chemistry beakers! 

Fr. Richard, of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, did a great job of explaining what men want in a wife and what women want in a husband, using humor.  Most of the attendees where laughing, but in so how knew what he was saying was truth.  He encouraged Alex and Heather to grow in faith and love, and they seem to truly appreciate his words to them.

As stated before there was an amazing line up for the day, starting with a beautiful gown from Amy’s Bridal, then the bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres and church décor where from Twigs and Petals and they were amazing!  Once the reception started Country Gentleman’s team stepped and took over.  All of the needs of the reception were taken care of by their staff!  Love working with all of them!

Alex and Heather had an amazing wedding and we wish them the very best!  We know they will have a wonderful life!!!

Chris and Julie's Day

Chris and Julie’s Day……….Finally

After dating for 10 years, Saturday July 20, 2013, Julie and Chris were married!  As the maid of honor said in her toast, everyone had been wondering when.  Then when they became engaged everyone said “it’s about time!” 

As with all our couples we love hearing their stories, Chris and Julie’s started with Hanford High’s Cross Country Team and an ice cream fight.  They noticed each other and have not taken their eyes off of the other since.  As we photographed their engagement session we talked about their love for sports, all sports! 

They love basketball and football and are diehard Patriots fans, which Julie incorporated into her something blue! The fun and competitive spirit they have is contagious and a joy to be around.  That may explain why friends and family travel from all over to witness this special day!

We could not help but smile all evening as we photographed them, because today, their wedding day had finally come! 

Chris and Julie will have many adventures together, starting with their honeymoon to New Zealand—hope you have the time of your life!