Ashley and Danny had an amazing wedding. It was gorgeous. It was sentimental. It was full of love. And it was FUN! Let me tell you… unless I knock back a few drinks, you won’t ever see me dancing in front of anyone but my kids. But it took all my energy to NOT set my camera down and get out on the dance floor and join the crowd during their reception. Ashley and Danny’s wedding was downright fun. It was truly a celebration, which is exactly what a wedding should be. Their friends and family were celebrating two amazing people who fell in love and decided to spend the rest of their lives together.

I loved the wedding and enjoyed every minute of it.

To Ashley & Danny: the two of you are so sweet, fun, full of life, and most importantly, crazy in love. I wish you a lifetime of happiness together and a house full of gorgeous children. Thank you so much for having me capture your first day as husband and wife.

You can see Ashley & Danny’s engagement photos HERE. They were also taken at Jenkins Estate where their wedding took place.

Catering: It’s Party Time Catering

DJ: Memories of Muzic

Cake: Bridget Becker

Venue: Jenkins Estate

Hair/Make-up: Ashlee Smith

Florist: Flowers By Mary Beth Bartel

Dress: Bellissima Couture

Without further ado, the photos…

The Bride & Groom
Stunning. I have no words to describe this photo other than stunning.

Aren’t they gorgeous?

The rings. Honestly, could they be more perfect? I don’t think its possible.

I feel joy and happiness when I look at this photo.

Isn’t she breathtaking?

Look what the ring bearer got to carry down the isle. So gorgeous.

Before

Ashley’s dress was so gorgeous.

Mommy’s little girl.

She wrote Danny a card to read before the wedding. Super sweet.

Daddy’s little princess.

The Ceremony:

Ashley and her father came around the corner and it was the first time Danny laid eyes on his bride to be. The emotion on their faces could have stopped time.

The kiss.

It’s official!

The Reception:

Announcing, for the first time as husband and wife…

So many lovely details at the wedding. The guests were seated inside the main building as well as outside on the big wrap around porch. The food was so good. We’re talking hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork, salads, fruit. My husband asked why we didn’t do that at our own wedding. 

The toasts. First came Ashley’s dad. He gave the loveliest, sweetest, funniest speech. It had me in tears by the end of it. He talked about how Ashley is their only child and how it only seemed like yesterday that his baby girl rode her big girl bike for the first time without training wheels, or she had a full beanie baby collection. Made me sad because I kept thinking about how fast my babies are growing. Afterward, I was standing next to Ashley and she said “I love my dad so much”.

The cake.

The first dance. What I love most about watching the two of them together is how Ashley always buries her head into Danny’s chest.

Father Daughter dance.

Mother Son dance.

Bouquet toss. Yes, there was some fierce competition.

Garter toss.

And a few photos from one of the best parties I’ve ever been to. The dance floor was packed all night long. There were some seriously good dancing going on too. Fun fun fun!

Cheers to the newlyweds!!!

Live. Laugh. Love.

I saw this on a sign once and thought, “well put”. It pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it?

Live. Live each day like it’s your last. Enjoy life. Be grateful for what you have and look forward to what is yet to come. Take nothing for granted.

Laugh. A day without laughter is a day wasted. Smile. Take joy in the little things.

Love. True love doesn’t just fill your heart, it overflows into your whole body and soul. When you love someone, they will always be a part of you, and the love you have for them will never end.

I can easily see Mckayla & Jeff living by those three very words: Live. Laugh. Love.

They make each other happy. They make each other laugh. The two of them together are so apparently easy, it’s hard to imagine them not being a couple. Ask any couple that’s been together for several decades what the secret is to a long happy marriage, and I guarantee they will say laughter has something to do with it. And oh how these two make each other laugh.

Mckayla and Jeff – I can’t wait to see how much you make each other smile on your wedding day! Congratulations!!!

Julie and Steve. What an extraordinary couple. I’ve been trying to think of the best words to describe the two of them together. Graceful. Sweet. Loving. Caring. Content. All those words describe them, yet I feel like they don’t quite explain how they are as a couple. Together, they are simply put: easy. They are so comfortable with each other; so at ease. One can look at them and just know that they will not only be together for the rest of their lives, but they will remain loving and compassionate with one another. It is clear to see that they truly know and understand each other – such an important component in a long lasting marriage.

Their wedding was perfect. Down to every little minute detail. Absolutely perfect. From the brilliant colors, to the delicious cake, to the gorgeous jewelry, to the mouth watering prosciutto wrapped scallops, to the pristine weather, to the gleaming bride and groom. I can’t imagine a more perfect wedding for the two of them. They were surrounded by family and their closest friends and enjoyed every last minute, dancing the evening away, sharing memories with loved ones. It was an absolute honor for me to be able to photograph such a joyous event.

You can see Julie and Steve’s engagement photos HERE. We took them earlier this year down at the waterfront near the Riverplace Hotel, where their wedding reception took place.

Videographer: Jason Craig Steady State Studios | Email Jason

DJ: Randy Mueller Paradox Productions | Email Randy

Cake: Papa Haydn | Email Papa Haydn Wedding Cakes

Caterer/Venue: River Place Hotel | Email Riverplace

Hair/Make-up: AJ’s Hair Design & Makeup | Email AJ

Now on to the photos…

The Bride & Groom

I always like to start with the photos of the bride and groom. They’re what its all about, of course.

The rings. Absolutely exquisite. This photo will have particularly special meaning for the bride & groom and their wedding guests. Hopefully a fun, memorable story. Sorry folks – its private. Won’t share the details on the blog. Just know that this photo means a lot.

The Bridal Party
If you’re wondering… the answer is: Yes, I do take traditional formals at every wedding. They’re sort of a must have and I always take them unless specifically requested not to. Do I like to show them on my blog? Not particularly. Why? Because although they have meaning to the bride & groom as well as the family and the wedding party, they’re not particularly interesting to the remaining blog audience. However, I do like to show fun shots of the bridal party. Like when the bridesmaids give the groom an octopus hug and tangle their legs around his. Or when the groomsmen are asked to give the bride an inappropriate touch and the brother of the groom lands his hand right on her toosh. Yeah, I like those photos.

Before

Isn’t she stunning?

I just LOVED all the details. Absolutely gorgeous.

The Ceremony:

The ceremony was held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Parish in downtown Portland. Beautiful stained glass windows and wood beamed ceilings surround the couple as they took their vows to share their lives together. The ceremony was especially personal because Steve’s father was the priest who married them.

The Reception:

The reception was on a private outdoor courtyard patio at the Riverplace Hotel. The food was amazing. The light was pristine. The details were stunning.

Announcing, for the first time as husband and wife…

The cake. Oh. My. Lord. It tasted as good as it looks. Raspberry poppy seed, insanely delicous chocolate buttermilk with bittersweet chocolate ganache, and sinful espresso bean cupcakes.

The details. Downright perfect. Perfect!

The toasts. Sentimental. Funny. Memorable. Perfect.

The cake.

The first dance. Now, I have to admit, this was one of the most fun first dances I have ever seen. They danced to “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + The Machine. If you haven’t heard it, open up a new window and listen to it. Their dance was fabulous! The song goes back and forth between slow and soulful to fast and happy, and Julie and Steve were so fun to watch!

Father daughter dance.

Garter toss.

And the bouquet toss. The maid of honor caught it and her boyfriend looks mighty pleased, I must say.

Such a fun reception! No one danced more than Grandma! She was cutting a rug out there. The entire evening was filled with love and joy.

Julie and Steve – you are an amazing couple. Thank you so much for trusting me to capture this most important day in your lives. You two are a wonderful couple and I expect an invitation to your 50th wedding anniversary party!