My entry today was my favorite photo from Saturday’s wedding at Garden Vineyards. We haven’t even made a dent in the editing yet, but this image popped up right away as a stand out.

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I bonded with Jill over the phone, since she engaged us from her hometown in Indiana. Together we envisioned the ceremony at Skamania’s gorgeous outdoor amphitheater and cocktails in the garden. Who would have predicted that Oregon would have an excess of sunshine? Uncharacteristically, the outdoor venue was simply too hot for comfort.

Everything was seamlessly migrated indoors, where Jill and Tom’s ceremony took on a lush and enveloping feel. Low light, candles and the small group gathered close made for a meaningful wedding mass, conducted by Jill’s uncle.

Afterward, family and friends celebrated, dined and danced with the couple. Many of their good friends had traveled halfway across the country to share in the celebrations. My favorite part was the few minutes we had with Jill and Tom in the fading light after dinner. I love how happy they look and how the light seems to be surrounding them for this short time alone. Minutes later, they were on the dance floor, doing the steps for the first time as a married couple.

Congrats Jill and Tom! Here’s a little something set to music.

UPDATE 07-22-09. Here’s a link to all the photos from the day.

Yohanna is from Venezuela, and the current political situation between the US and her home country means that her family members could not get the visas required in order to travel to her wedding. Being tech savvy though, she and Craig created two-way web cams on laptops so that, in a manner of speaking, her family abroad could join in the festivities. About 30 other family members and friends took the crazy ride in the snow cat to join them for their ceremony at about 4.30 in the afternoon.

If you haven’t seen it before, Silcox Hut will amaze you. It’s a wonderful, hand-hewn stone building amazingly perched on the side of Mt. Hood. The front door of the hut is about 200 yards from the top of the main ski lift from Timberline Lodge. The Lodge staff ferries guests, flowers, food, photographers and even wedding cakes in huge snow cats, which are like little school buses with snow tracks instead of wheels. I always love the bumpy, exciting trip up the hill.

With all the food and logisitics handled for them, Craig and Yohanna were free to enjoy the blazing fire, while all the wedding preps were taking place. We had a few minutes to go outside for some photos, but frankly, it was way to cold and windy to stay out for more than a few minutes. When the second snow cat arrived with the rest of the guests, the wedding was soon underway.

UPDATE 4/29/09: Here’s a link to a slideshow of our favorites. And click here to see all the photos from the day.

This week, another post on the subject of simple weddings. If you’ve read my blog before, you know I’m a big advocate of simple, meaningful wedding celebrations. It was fun to go back through the files and recall this sweet wedding that John and I photographed at Breitenbush during the winter.

The celebration was as much a retreat and reunion for Jennifer and Brian who met up with about 50 family members and friends over a winter holiday weekend. Breitenbush is a special place for the couple, since they and many of their friends are holistic health practitioners. The day before the wedding you could find the couple and their friends soaking in the natural hot springs, hiking in the snow, or hanging out in the main lodge. It was a great way for everyone to meet and to get acquainted.

Mid-day on the second day, the group gathered round the stone fireplace for the wedding. Jennifer’s father officiated the touching ceremony. At the conclusion, the couple walked through what they called an “angel wash”. Think of a military recessional but in lieu of crossed sabers, the couple walk though a passageway of good will, kisses and hugs from all the gathered guests. Even though I was prepared to think it was silly, I found myself getting swept up and a bit teary just watching.

It’s easy to think of a wedding as something you invite your friends and family to attend. My impression after observing this wedding, is that the guests co-created the ceremony. Very cool.

One of our favorite spots to shoot is the cute-as-a-button Oaks Pioneer Church which is located right on the edge of Sellwood park in Portland. This teeny tiny church is a great place to get married for several good reasons. First of all, it’s small, so if you’re planning a small wedding, your guests won’t feel marooned inside a vast and cavernous space. It’s perfect for about 50, jammed for 70 and not at all lonely for 25-30 guests. The second reason is that it’s gorgeous. The grounds around the church are super pretty and there are plent of of pathways, nooks and cute spots for photos. And the interior is wonderful-I don’t know what kind of wood it’s built from, but it simply glows day or night.  And the third reason Oaks Pioneer Church is a great place to get hitched is that it’s not too expensive. It’s overseen by Portland Parks and Recreation so the site fee is quite reasonable.

Here’s a few photos of our last two weddings we’ve shot there. The first was an evening wedding in November and the second one took place during the daytime on Valentines Day. If you want more information about Oaks Pioneer Church, you can call Lorraine Fyre at 503.233.1497 or email her at oakspioneerchurch(at)yahoo.com

Jennifer’s dress and flowers were clean-lined without being stark or spare. Her bouquet was a simple construction of lillies, gathered with plain satin ribbon. The flowing ends of her halter-style gown ties gave just a hint of a train. At the last minute, she decided to tuck two simple orchids into her loose updo, which I think was the perfect touch. The groom wore a yummy blue chalk striped suit. I think his suit /tie combo said “stylish” as much as it said “getting married”.

Shortly after arriving, the guests gathered in a lower meadow for a short ceremony. Since nature’s decor is pretty darn spectacular, the only set up required for the ceremony was about 50 white resin chairs for the guests. As the sun was setting, the wedding party and guests strolled up to the larger medow for wine under the trees, followed by a wonderful family style meal beside the lake. The caterer set up the meal on one long table, making the evening friendly and conversational.

Perhaps you’d like a simple lakeside dinner as your wedding celebration?

Steph’s maids wore simple knee length black dresses (wouldn’t  a girlfriend appreciate that!) and the guys were outfitted in basic dark suits. It was classy, stylish, personal and sharp without being too tux-ey or too matchy.

Check out the great colors from this September wedding in Portland. All the warm colors were there: red, orange, yellow, tangerine. It was like all of summer’s vibrant palette in one big dose of fabulosity. The venue was the Sculpture Garden at the Portland Art Museum. We’ve shot events there before, but never had we seen the area tented off in such a cool manner. EJP events and The Prop Shop collaborated on this decor, including this billowing entryway, which effectively screened the celebrations from the street. Just inside the entrance is the area where the ceremony took place and then later was transformed into an outdoor cocktail lounge with ottomans, tables and outdoor heaters. Geranium Lake Flowers created the floral decor. That fantastic cake was from the now-defunct Joseph’s Dessert Company.