When my assistant Ellie and I arrived at Maple Leaf Events, we knew it was going to be an awesome day. People were bustling around getting things set up and as we arrived at the bridal suite, we heard nothing but laughter inside.
We snuck out the dress as soon as we got there to make sure we captured it before Amanda stepped into it.
The girls were getting ready in the bridal suite and having a grand old time. Maple Leaf Events has a beautiful suite that is perfect for large bridal parties with plenty of room for everyone to get ready.
The boys were on the other side of the house hanging out and getting ready.
We went back to get Amanda putting on her dress, and then doing a sneak peek with all of her bridesmaids.
We set up Amanda, and her fathers first look right outside of the suite.
Jamieson was next, and we had him face away from the door while waiting for his bride. I love setting up the first looks, as it takes a little of the stress away from the couple and gives them a short time alone before the day gets crazy.
The ceremony was on the lower lawn with views of the forest and the hills of the Columbia Gorge.
All eyes were on Amanda as her, and her father walked down the aisle.
The ceremony was gorgeous and was officiated by their good friend Rohan. A perfect celebration of these two’s love for each other and their friends.
The formal images are usually not what everybody looks forward to, so I like to mix them up and make sure everyone has some fun along the way. I take a standard, and then get everyone to have a little fun. We started at the wedding meadow and then moved up top to make sure that we could include everyone.
After a brief break to get all the guests seated, the wedding party was announced and formed the tunnel for Amanda and Jamieson to come through. Talk about keeping me on my toes to make sure I capture it all!
If your wedding includes a taco bar, please make sure to invite me to it, it’s my favorite! We stopped for a bit while everyone grabbed some food. I don’t want to deal with hangry people, and this is one time during the wedding I make sure to put the camera down. No one likes pictures of them eating.
This is also the perfect time for me to steal the rings and get creative with them. Maple Leaf Events has a great variety of details to work with, especially in fall. Being a beer fan, and them being a beer venue, I of course was drawn to the hops that were growing up the deck. They also had great garden details, and I couldn’t pass up the bird. And of course the classic, the bride’s bouquet.
When delivering the rings back, they were just finishing up their dinner while the rest of the guests were still eating. PERFECT timing. We snuck them out into the setting sun. Being surrounded by the mountains and having a beautiful grass field, it was only natural that we take them out there. Look at how amazing these two are!
Amanda and Jamieson enjoying a walk together after their wedding ceremony at Maple Leaf Events in Stevenson, WA
Next up, the toasts! These toasts were so sweet and created laughter and tears from the couple and the guests! I love when the dads go up and give a speech, something adorable for them to do.
As the speeches wrapped up, the cake was brought over. Don’t worry, they were nice to each other.
Thank goodness the autumn rain stayed away on this day. We all went out to the patio and watched the couple’s first dance under the string lights. The mother/son and father/daughter dances followed shortly after, and then OPEN DANCE FLOOR!
This also begins my favorite time, the sun dipping out of sight and letting me get more creative with lighting. As the guests were all out busting a move, I snuck the couple off again to frame them with the hops that I loved so much,
We wrapped up the night with the garter and bouquet toss, and everyone out on the patio!
What a great September night it was out in Stevenson. So happy for these two and wish them so many years of happiness!
A HUGE shoutout to the amazing vendors that made their day perfect! I cannot recoomend Melodi with 1000 Stories enough. She made this day run flawlessly and even ahead of schedule. Please, if you are looking for a day of coordinator to make your day as stress free as possible, give her a call!
As the speeches wrapped up, the cake was brought over. Don’t worry, they were nice to each other.
We wrapped up the night with the garter and bouquet toss, and everyone out on the patio!
