What I know about weddings is that despite all your planning and best intentions someone important will be running late, the flower girl will suddenly go shy, the groomsmen will look for any opportunity to get out of their suits, and someone will inevitably have too much to drink. Flowers will wilt, cakes will melt, and there will be a wardrobe malfunction. If you have cable television you’ve probably heard the term “Bridezilla”. I’m sure all you reality TV junkies out there are picking up what I’m putting down, yaknowwhatI’msayin?

What I’m trying to say is, weddings aren’t all roses. BUT inside every one of those hectic wedding day moments is joy, wonder and beauty. One of the most important things you can do as a bride is hire a photographer with a trained heart and eye who knows how to look for it. A really good photographer can turn any mishap into a beautiful pin on Pintrest and design an album as gorgeous as a fashion magazine spread.

You should know, I take joy very seriously. Years of experience photographing weddings and families has trained me to find the beauty inside whatever story I am documenting – including your wedding day.

Every year I shoot a handful of weddings for brides and grooms that get it. They don’t stress out about schedules and timelines. They take comfort in knowing that the ceremony starts when they’re ready and not a moment before. And most importantly, they know that at the end of the night, no matter what else happens during their wedding day, they’ll be husband and wife. And that’s all that matters.

Last summer I had the pleasure of photographing Jae & Zar’s wedding at the Columbia Winery. It was a beautifully hot August day. I can’t say the wedding went off without a hitch, but I can say it was a heartfelt ceremony followed by a vivacious reception. Surrounded by friends and family, Jae and Zar professed and promised love. They were married.

Check out the video for even more photos of Jae and Zar’s wedding day…

Ryan and Khemmy, many thanks for trusting me to capture your special day. I wish you all the best and a lifetime of happiness in your new home in California. Please don’t forget to call me when you get started on the next chapter. Those babies are going to be beautiful.

(P.S. To view more of Ryan and Khemmy’s wedding day, please watch the slide show at the end of this post. If you were a guest at the wedding, please contact Ryan and Khemmy directly for access to their password protected online gallery which includes all of the family formals and everything in between.)

Happy One Month Anniversary Erin & David!! xoxo Auntie Jamie

Be sure to check out the slide show for more of their story….

Their day was filled with reds and roses; laughter and tears; sunshine and love; and dozens of friends on standby to ensure Erica would receive the wedding of her dreams. Erica wanted a traditional wedding in every sense. From the chapel ceremony to not being seen by the groom or guests before she walked down the aisle, this beautiful bride lit up the room as she and her dad stepped slowly together towards her husband-to-be. Officially declared husband and wife they spent the evening side by side dancing and toasting and thanking their friends for celebrating, in his words, “one of the happiest days of their life”. Thank you, Robert and Erica, for allowing my images to become a part of your family’s history. It’s truly an honor.

Check out more of Erica and Robert’s wedding day in the slide show…

Right in the heart of wedding season I find myself reflecting on all the many ways to be wed. Big, small, indoor, outdoor, chapel, backyard, barns and hotels. Some weddings last all day and others just a few hours. My own wedding anniversary is next month and my husband and I weren’t very traditional with our ceremony. Steve and I invited our closest friends and family (and anyone that wanted to show up really) to join us in a park (without a permit) to our wedding ceremony officiated by a family friend who was ordained over the internet about a week before the ceremony. There were no fancy flowers or decor. It was planned in about a month and the day I walked down the aisle lawn, came only a week after I was released from the hospital after suffering from two blood clots in my lungs. Hopped up on pain meds and blood thinners, there was no stopping us from professing our love and stating our custom vows. At the end of the day, it’s the “married” part that matters. Of course, getting married is kind of a big deal and it’s the kind of thing that makes you want to celebrate…and we did celebrate. Our guests followed us back to our basement apartment for a backyard potluck. We rearranged furniture so I could salsa dance with my brother and our best friends stayed well into the evening until we kicked them out so we could…honeymoon.

Bari and Luther are a couple after my own heart. They said “I do” in a private backyard ceremony with their family. And then, when summer finally hit, it was time to party. In a private dining room at Rock Salt on Lake Union they packed the house with their friends and family. Tables were decorated with various yellow flowers and lemons. The clever and cute menus and seating arrangements  were designed by the ever talented Lindsey (daughter of the bride). There was dinner and toasts; laughing and dancing; and so much love for this awesome couple.

As an event photographer, my job is to create a special gift for the bride and groom. After all the planning and preparing for the big party, the coupe often misses many of the details of the day. I try to capture the sweetness of the celebration they might have overlooked and give them a beautiful reflection of the loved ones who joined in the merriment.

Bari and Luther, I was blown away by the kindness and love of your fabulous guests. I had a delightful time celebrating with you and hope you enjoy reliving your reception through these photos. Thank you for allowing my images to become a part of your family’s history. Enjoy!

Click to view the slideshow!

Are they not totally adorable and completely in love?

I took a whole series of pictures under these pear trees. Their expressions in this shot made it a favorite of mine

That orange piece of wood poking out of this barn was so perfect for this shot. It totally matches her wedding colors!

Warning: amazing, yummy light coming up in the next couple shots. Photographers and light lovers, proceed with caution. It may take your breath away…

Can we talk about how much I love this shot on the left? I luuuuurrrvvvve this shot! No fancy processing or action filters here. It’s nearly straight out of the camera goodness. How perfect are their smiles? How gorgeous is her dress? How totally cute are they? If you check out the slide show there’s a similar shot to this where the light is really purple and the spacing is a little different. It too, is up there with my top favs!

Such. a. beauty. I could photograph her all day. Sigh.

I’m so glad they were up for anything because when I saw this door I just knew we had to use it and they totally worked it!

And here we have my favorite ring shot. Jessie & Tanner, I made a little wish for the two of you on this dandelion seed. I hope you live happily ever after, together forever and ever and then some. Have many adorable babies…and please give me a call when they arrive so I can spend more time with you and your adorable family!

Now, it’s time to watch the slide show! Check out more of Jessie & Tanner’s love story….

Click to view the slide show!

They had been waiting for this day to come but had no way of setting an actual date. With James being a sailor in the US Navy and Dee being a lady from Canada, there was a lot of paperwork and waiting around for the green light. Dee called me and then emailed me the moment she got the news. With her fingers crossed and willing to beg she prayed I was free on the Fourth of July. “Still waiting for finalization but it looks like James and I will FINALLY be able to get married and that’s the best date for us. PLEASE tell me you’re free!! I fear your big brother will die if you cannot take the pics for us.” Well…I wouldn’t want to be the cause of his death so of course I took pictures!

Here’s a little sampling of the day. Be sure to check out the slide show for more pictures and if you’re a friend of Dee and James be sure to hit them up for the guest shots and the rest of the reception!

Click to view the slide show!

Here is the gorgeous bride getting ready for the big day. I met up with the girls at their hotel room and helped them toast champagne.

Meanwhile, the boys were hanging out at a bar next to the wedding grounds. Only a half hour away from seeing his bride for the first time in her wedding dress, Isaac looks so thoughtful and not at all nervous.

Here it is – the first look at his wife to be. In honor of Nicole’s grandma who is from Maui, they had a traditional Hawaiian wedding complete with ceremonial leis and blowing of the conch shell.

We did a lot of group shots with all their friends and relatives but this one was the most fun. Ready…set…JUMP!!

I love how this next shot turned out. Here is grandma, mom, sister and bride…

How cute are these girls!? I love the bridesmaid dresses they picked out.

To see more of the day in a fun slide show with music click HERE.