After more than a year of planning, Stu and Sam tied the knot in the gorgeous rolling hills outside of Walla Walla, Washington. I felt so lucky as a Boise wedding photographer to be invited to Washington to photograph their celebration. After their epic Seattle engagement session on the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry, these two already felt like close friends before I even arrived.
I joined Stu and Sam and their families for their beautiful winery rehearsal dinner which was filled with tears as everyone in the room shared their stories of how they found out Stu and Sam had started dating. You see, these two started as just best friends in middle school… and high school.. And even through college, they were always friends until one kiss sealed their fate forever as more than friends. It was so unique to see their shared childhood friends come together to celebrate and swap stories. Some of their friends knew them individually before they were dating and having such a close group of friends created the most welcoming and hilarious atmosphere as inside jokes were told.
The next day, I woke up and brought my puppy, Carol, to Sam’s Airbnb to share breakfast and capture her getting ready details. Sam was kind enough to make arrangements for a dog sitter to watch my dog in addition to their FOUR golden retrievers. Carol was in heaven all morning running around the yard with the four goldens while I worked. It was the cutest. The morning was filled with Lizzo blasting throughout the house and when it was time to put on her wedding dress, her sister and her mom both cried. Stu and Sam shared a sweet first look under a 150-year-old willow tree in the backyard of their Airbnb and we headed to the venue for the ceremony.
I always tell my couples in consultations that there is a 100% chance I will cry during your vows. Stu and Sam’s made me SOB. As both professed their love for one another, my eyes welled with tears and I could barely hold my cameras. After being pronounced husband and wife, they walked down the aisle and were greeted by their dog, Hank, who wore a floral necklace and walked with them down the aisle.
The night ended in a magical rainbow. I was in the middle of shooting dancing photos when I heard someone shout “RAINBOW!!!!” from the door. I hopped outside and I kid you not, there was a double rainbow across the entire sky. I grabbed Stu and Sam and we stole 5 minutes of their epic dance party for sunset photos under the rainbow. It was absolutely magical and I have chills just thinking about it.
Thank you for choosing ME to dance to Lizzo on the dance floor with you and capture every moment- from Stu’s hand injury to your dad’s tearful speech to your flower girl eating raisins in the middle of the aisle to heading for the porta-potty after the toasts. No moment was undocumented and this entire wedding reminded me of why I LOVE my job. Every moment, big and small, is just as magical as the next. It’s such an honor to be a witness to it all.
Without further ado, enjoy some of my favorite moments from Sam & Stu’s Walla Walla winery wedding!
Your Narrative blog will appear here, click preview to see it live.Congrats again to Sam and Stu on their beautiful day! If you loved the boho details in this Walla Walla winery wedding, then check out this rustic fall wedding with a bohemian twist!
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