Missy Fant Photography

Cheyanne and Joey | A Wedding with a PERFECT Sunset

2019 has been an odd year for summer weddings. Almost every wedding I have covered this year has had some rain when August and September has usually been our driest months.

But the gods must have been shining down on Joey and Cheyanne as the weather was perfect and even blessed us with a gorgeous sunset. Luckily we snuck away from the party just in time to catch it.

Bill and I arrived and met and immediately stole the dress before Joey came. The arbor at the ceremony site complemented the dress perfectly.

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Inside, Cheyanne was getting ready with her girls.

Once Joey arrived, Bill headed over and made sure to catch their shenanigans…which included a traditional passing around the liquor bottle.

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Shortly after they were all dressed, the guests started arriving. The ceremony and the wedding was being held on private property out in east Vancouver. The property was surrounded by trees, which gave us great privacy and was large enough to have separate areas for the ceremony and reception.

Bill was able to sneak out and capture some of the details before the ceremony started.

Once the guests were seated, the ceremony started. Like most of the time when my associate photographer package is booked, I hang out in the front to capture everyone coming down the aisle and the Groom’s first look, while Bill is in the back getting everyone as they go down the aisle.

And Joey did not disappoint in the reaction to seeing his bride for the first time.

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They also did one of my favorite ceremony traditions, planting a tree! Cheyanne tried to use the shovel as much as she could in her dress and heels, they did pretty well!

Also, Joey’s reflexes are ON POINT. This is the first time i’ve seen the best man drop the rings, but they never had a chance to touch the ground.

I like rolling right into the family formals after the ceremony. Most of the family members are there, and the faster we can get them all in, the more partying during the reception!

During this portrait session, I had to use my trick of waving around one of the groomsmen’s beers to get all of their attention and keep them focused. They can’t have their beer back until I get the pictures I need!

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While they all went to grab their drinks and enjoy their taco bar, I stole their rings and went over to a pond area that was soaking in the natural light from the sun.

In summer, it seems like the light is only perfect for about half an hour and then BOOM, its night.

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So shortly after this shot, Bill and I walked over to a field that was just past the trees that surrounded the property. We knew that we would only have about 15 minutes before it all left us. So we rushed back, grabbed the bride and groom, loaded up the golf cart, and headed over.

What may look like a plain field to some, us photographers can see something totally different, especially in light as gorgeous as this.

As the light faded, we headed back and got ready for the toasts.

With backyard style weddings, I love how laid back everyone is. They all seem to have a genuinely good time hanging out and celebrating the bride and groom.

Keeping it relaxed and low key, the only thing on the schedule was the cake cutting.

Well that was the only thing they had scheduled, but after they had changed into some more comfortable clothes and were enjoying everyone being there, they decided to have their dances.

Congratulations to these two amazing people and we wish you all the best!

Wendi and John’s Family and Friend Filled Wedding….That Included Penguins and Batman.

I know it sounds like a weird combination, but once you meet these two, it makes perfect sense.

Wendi and John met me at the Clark County Wedding Expo last year, and we just clicked. It may have been the T-Rex in my booth or just my social awkwardness.

In any case, they planned an August wedding in their friend’s backyard. Not just any plain backyard, we have towering trees and a fantastic suspension bridge that the owner built over the creek that meandered through the property.

Instead of the typical engagement session that I include in all of my wedding packages, they opted for me to come to the rehearsal and take some candids of their family.

The next day, my team arrived to start capturing the day. This is where Batman and the penguins came into play. Not the classic Batman man villain Penguin, but the animal. Wendi likes them just a little bit. And Batman? That was definitely John’s thing.

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Wendi was getting ready in the master suite with her bridesmaids and mom…and having a good time doing so. She was all too excited to be wearing her Wifey and Bride robe, I don’t think she wanted to change.

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And of course, the boys take about 5 minutes to get ready, so my associate Courtney took them outside to have some fun with their group shots.

We kept John outside and positioned him on the bridge, we thought it would be perfect for the first look.

I really do like first looks. When I first started in wedding photography, I was sort of against them, wanting to keep them traditional with the first look during the ceremony. But over the years, I have seen how much stress it relieves in both of them. Kicking the nerves down a notch before the big moments in the ceremony. It also gives you and your significant other a little quiet time together before more of the day whirlwinds away.

For some more time just to themselves, we took them to the side for some portraits, and gift exchange. Wendi had given John his Batman cufflinks while they were both getting ready.

And John gave Wendi 1 bag of an item that I will not mention (I will say it was Portland Timbers themed) AND custom cards that feature them both. He used these as wedding favors, but also a surprise to her.

This is also the time that we got the wedding parties and family involved. They had built in plenty of time in their schedule to get as many portraits as we could do before the ceremony. That meant more party time for everyone!

John, ever the fun lover, decided to have a little fun during the portraits and toss a few pinecones at Wendi when she was being lifted. One landed perfectly, and I got a nice little smirk from John as he was running away.

About half an hour before the ceremony, we got everyone tucked away as the guests arrived for the ceremony.

The Groomsmen waited for the Bridesmaids to cross the bridge and walk them all down the aisle as they all waited for Wendi and her Father to come down.

Their ceremony was very personalized to them, including a candle lighting ceremony and communion.

After the ceremony, we took a short break and got the rest of the family together!

Then, it was off to the party! Well, not off, as this property had plenty of room to host the party with a live band, Cedars & Crows, and some dancing!

The light was fading fast, so I put up my lights and got ready for the rest of the reception. There was cake in John’s face for the cake cutting, some great toasts, and the bouquet and garter toss.

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The bank kept playing and everyone was having a good time. This is the time of the night that I like to sneak the bride and groom away from the business and get a few more portraits. More time for them together, and we get to create some unique shots.

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When things wound down, we passed out the sparklers and lined everyone up. And yes, I will admit we do make you play around under the sparklers for a bit to make sure we get you all of the magical shots that you want. I don’t think these two minded that at all.

Congratulations to Wendi and John! So many happy years ahead for these two!

A Fall Sunset Engagement Session in the Columbia Gorge | Maria and Spencer

I’ll repeat it, I live in such an amazing and gorgeous place!

When Maria contacted me about an engagement session, she mentioned she wanted a location that encapsulated the Pacific Northwest. She and Spencer were having their wedding in New Mexico, so having a stark contrast for their engagement session was essential to her. I gave them a map with an “X” marking the spot to my secret island located in the Columbia Gorge.

We all arrived about half an hour before planned, and it was actually perfect. Although I knew the sunset time, the gorge has its own ideas as the surrounding mountains and hills have their own agenda.

Who else came along to their session? Their dogs!

Also, two of their friends that helped keep their attention as dogs are usually about the same as toddlers when it comes to keeping their attention.

The little gravel road takes you in a spiral as we climbed to the top of the cliff. Up here we have great views of both the Columbia River and the cliffs that line it.

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Climbing the rocks at the top is just a little dangerous. Plenty of room to move around and have some great views along the way. I also like to hike halfway back down and capture the couples while they are up there.

Not to mention, Spencer and Maria have some acrobatic skills!

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Down along the water, the Washington side is visible and allows amazing views of the Columbia as the sun sets behind the hills.

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Congratulations to these to and have an amazing wedding in New Mexico!