Welcome to this beautiful wedding on the San Juan Islands!
K&E currently live in LA, but decided to have their wedding back at K’s childhood home. Her mother did most of the planning and created a beautiful, locally sourced island celebration. The vision she brought to life was incredible to photograph and highlights incredible local San Juan Island Wedding vendors.
Planning: MaryEllen Foster
Catering and Florals: Susie https://wildberryfarm.org/
Hair: Natalie Joseph https://www.nataliejosephhair.com/
Makeup: Tara Martel
Cake: Karie Rishel
Live Music and DJ: Oliver Strasser https://www.oliverstrasser.com/
K got ready at her parent’s home while her family worked around the property setting up the rest of the decorations. A neighbor volunteered their home for E and his friends to all get ready in. My second photographer spent the morning with them to document E having a blast with his folks, while I was able to spend the time with K and her family. For larger weddings like this, it is great to have two photographers to capture all the candid moments while folks get ready. I loved being able to capture a first look with K and her bridesmaids, and her father, while my other photograph was able to capture the guys all having fun together, E’s brother helping E get ready, and portraits of them before the first look.
The morning started off rainy and misty, but true to form, the weather slowly cleared and was sunny by mid-afternoon. While Seattle is known for being a moody, rainy area, the San Juan Islands tend to lean more towards sun breaks even if we have rainy mornings. Growing up there, we rarely had days that we wouldn’t see the sun at least part of the day, even if it had been pouring rain in the morning. I personally love this for weddings, even if the rainy mornings might add to some folk’s stress. It helps keep the summer days a little bit cooler for weddings!
K and E opted for a first look prior to the ceremony, which gave us time to photograph them and their bridal party together at another beautiful San Juan Island location, overlooking the Salish Sea and Olympic mountains. E&K had their first look and read private notes they had written to one another. I was also able to give them a few moments to themselves to take in the view, and be able to process their emotions together. Weddings can be overwhelming, but I think with creating opportunities for time to process throughout the day, it helps with centering people and giving them moments to catch their breath. Ultimately, it’s about the couple and their commitment. I love giving people a little bit of time alone to take it all in, together.
After they did that, they rejoined their awesome bridal party that cheers them with heartfelt toasts, music, and more photos. We all road back to the property together in Shuttle San Juan’s party bus, during which everyone showcased their dance moves.
Once they arrived, it was time for K to hide for the ceremony. The skies fully opened up, and it was a beautiful, sunny ceremony by their pond. Because K&E had already taken their photos together, right after the ceremony all we needed to do were family photos which were easy, and gave their immediate family the opportunity to spend a little bit of time with the new couple before they headed back to the reception area to start the party off. Family photos is generally the time where I try to give the most direction for posing so that things stay efficient, clear, and the important photos are definitely taken. It is also a great time for candid moments in between shots!
Then, it was time for the party. K and E spent the rest of their evening enjoying the delicious food, catching up with their friends, and dancing the night away with one of the best dancing groups I have ever seen. We stayed until the sun went down, which gave us about ten hours from start to end documenting their beautiful celebration.
Cheers to an awesome couple, a beautiful wedding, and wonderful vendors and guests all around on the beautiful San Juan Island!