The past summer I shot weddings for a few amazing, fun couples — just the sort of clients I’m always looking for!
The first wedding of the season was Hilary and Shannon’s beautiful brunch by the bay. Twelve years after their commitment ceremony in Priest Point Park, the couple got legally married among friends and family at Tugboat Annie’s in Olympia, WA. Guests enjoyed brunch, champagne, and a little dancing. Their ceremony was so emotional. Their love is so strong, and their discussion of “chosen family” really tugged at my heart strings. I may or may not have cried like a baby.
After brunch, Hilary, Shannon, and a small group of friends (myself included) jumped in kayaks and paddled across the bay to Priest Point Park to visit the spot of their commitment ceremony. A historic low tide prevented us from getting out to wander around on the beach, but we made it to a sand bar where the group gathered for a photo.
© Heather Schofner
© Heather Schofner
© Heather Schofner
© Heather Schofner
© Heather Schofner
Hilary using the paddle Shannon carved for her to canoe across the bay.
The second wedding I shot was for a fellow photographer, Cassie Keller, and her fiancee Jeremy. Cassie and her family had a sweet, backyard ceremony with a Star Wars twist. The groomsmen had Star Wars tie-clips, and we shot a couple of fun photos to fit the theme. They served great food, played fun music, and their guests all seemed to have a good time, especially when it cooled off enough to do some dancing. Their dessert spread included at least five different kinds of cupcakes and a s’mores bar, and guests were given keepsake fans that listed the names of the bridal party on them.
The last wedding of the summer was not actually a wedding, but a vow renewal ceremony. My friends Whiskey and Jane, ten years after their original marriage, gathered with friends and family at the Sou’Wester Lodge in Seaview, WA to renew their vows. Their daughter Violet was their fairy princess flower girl, and we did some photos with a bear/beaver head and Whiskey’s fun heart head dress. The Sou’Wester is a unique, funky resort on the Washington coast that is basically a vintage trailer park. Each trailer has a record player in it, and there’s records you can borrow from the main lodge. Whiskey, Jane, and Violet stayed in the African Queen, the Cadillac of the Sou’Wester, a big, beautiful trailer with a mural on the side.
Their actual ceremony was beautiful, private, and emotional. The couple has been through a lot, and it was beautiful to see them there together in a place that means so much to them. After the ceremony they had a potluck feast of homey delights, and everyone relaxed together under the community pavilion, listening to the couple’s favorite records, eventually noshing on three delicious flavors of cake.
© Heather Schofner
Enjoying records and mimosas before the ceremony.
The family by the amazing trailer they were staying in.
Jane was putting Violet down for a nap so Whiskey’s friend stood in for the cake smash. Much laughter ensued!
