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!!!