seattle wedding photographer

Henry & Maria - Tacoma, WA

Venue: St. Patrick Catholic Church

Photo Location: Point Defiance Park

Planning & Florals: Jordan Moll (my favorite ever)

DJ: Brett Campbell

Catering, Desserts, & Bartending: Bette Anne Curry

Hair & Makeup: Elizabeth White Artistry

Joe & Leah - Seattle, WA

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A TRUE “FERRY-TALE” WEDDING

When Leah first told me about their wild idea of getting married on the Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry, I admired her enthusiasm, but wasn’t quite sure how they would pull this off. After all, it is a means of public transportation, you can’t reserve it, you can’t guarantee how many tickets will be available, and there would be a lot of uncontrollable variables and moving parts. BOY, WAS I WRONG! They totally pulled it off, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic that I got to capture all of the beautiful chaos that actually, much to my surprise, turned out to be more organized than most weddings!

Joe and Leah’s relationship required them to go back and forth on this exact ferry to see each other, so it was only fitting that they made it official on the same ferry! We began the day getting ready in Seattle, and then all “ubered” to the ferry terminal and hopped aboard the afternoon ferry to Bainbridge. At the layover in Bainbridge, Joe, Leah, and their 120+ person train of bridal party, family, and guests walked over to one of their favorites breweries, Bainbridge Brewery, for a little afternoon cocktail hour. Up to that point, even though it wasn’t a Sunday, the day had felt like a “Sunday Funday.” There was over 100 of us that walked in a brewery and started drinking beer mid afternoon, the sun started peaking out of the clouds, and everyone was so relaxed.

All 100+ of us made it back to the terminal in time, ticket in hand, and boarded the ferry that was about to be the wedding ceremony of Joe and Leah Couillard. Somehow, and I seriously do not know how, all of their family and friends efficiently gathered into one central area of the ferry and made a wedding ceremony happen! With strangers peering in from the sides and sailboats floating by, Joe and Leah exchanged rings, said their vows, and became husband and wife! Maybe this wasn’t the first time a wedding had been successfully accomplished on a ferry, but it certainly was the first time that a wedding was pulled off on a public ferry, with THAT many guests, that we all had no prior reservations for. I could go on and on about their wedding day, because I was so impressed with the flow of it all and truly how epic it was.

Their reception was held at 415 Westlake, an event space in Seattle. When everyone finally made It there by uber, by foot, or by carriage - the celebration only continued to get more epic! Joe and Leah, what a special and wild idea you guys pulled off for your wedding, I am so honored and grateful to have been a part of it. I adore your love: the way you laugh together, your subtle but sweet affection for each other, your respect for each other, and the way that you look at each other. I know this “ferrytale” wedding you pulled off is just an opening chapter of the ferrytale that will be the rest of your lives. xox

Ryan & Natalie - Gig Harbor, WA

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I met Ryan and Natalie at a wedding last December when they were guests at Kaitlyn & James wedding. I was first drawn to these two by their killer moves on the dance floor. Then, I got to know them a bit, and they are just the cutest, kindest, spunkiest, most adorable couple. I was so excited to capture their wedding day!

They got married in Natalie’s hometown of Gig Harbor, WA, at the Canterwood golf course. They did not do a first look, so watching Ryan’s reaction as his bride walked down the aisle for the first time, was priceless. Their ceremony was perfectly them - lots of laughter. I also loved how their officiant had all of their guests join hands and make a pact to always support these two in their marriage. Their first kiss was epic, and then the real party began. The dance floor was lit up all night, of course with Natalie at the center. I wouldn’t have expected any less! Their bridal party was such a fun group of people, and I had so much fun getting to know all of them and celebrate with them all night. Natalie and Ryan, it’s easy to see why you guys are SO loved and why the celebration was so wild all night. Anyone knows by simply looking at the two of you together that your love is pure, fierce, and fun! I adore you guys so much. Thank you for choosing me to document the best day ever!!

James & Kaitlyn - Bonney Lake, WA

James and Kaitlyn have such a special place in my heart. I met Kaitlyn back when she was in high school and have had the privilege of watching her flourish from a sweet young girl to the beautiful, strong, intelligent young woman she is now. I remember when she first got to college, I got a text shortly after that she had met and was now dating this young man, named James. I captured their young love in the first year of their relationship, and I have loved watching them grow deeper and deeper in love ever since! Check out their sweet young love here that I captured back in 2014 here: http://www.rpimagery.com/blog-content/2016/5/18/young-love-james-kaitlyn?rq=kaitlyn

“It’s crazy that back then, we knew.” Kaitlyn said in her vows. I think we all knew! Watching these two from day one, I knew I would be capturing their wedding someday. And here we are. The whole day was surreal! I love these two so much and am so inspired by how rich and deep their love for each other is. It truly has been like that since day 1, though. Which is crazy, they were so young! But we all just knew.

I loved that they did their own thing and opted for a winter wedding. It was a true winter fairytale, from all of the touches of pine, to the flickering fireplaces, the smores’ station, and the fur coats. Kaitlyn’s winter wedding dreams all came to life, huge thanks to the insanely talented Jordan Moll, wedding planning and floral extraordinaire.

Most weddings I can name a few highlights of the day, but this one I simply cannot. When I think about each moment of the day, they were truly all my favorite! The whole bridal party got ready on site, in their different suites, and it was such a relaxed morning and afternoon. I loved my time interviewing James before he saw Kaitlyn. He was just a ball of emotions while I had him talking about his favorite things about Kaitlyn and why he loves her so much. He had me in tears right there with him. The first look was the sweetest thing ever, and also had us all in tears. Kaitlyn looked like a dream, as always, and James just could not contain himself. I had so much fun with the whole bridal party, as they were all a true testament to the type of people Kaitlyn and James both are - so giving, compassionate, thoughtful, and kind to everyone around them. I adore Kaitlyn’s family and often feel like they are my own, so it was an honor to capture this day for them. I loved meeting James’ family, too, and seeing how wonderful both families got along together. James and Kaitlyn are both fortunate to have such strong, committed, and loving marriages modeled for them, there’s no telling what the two of them will take on in this lifetime together! The whole evening was a true celebration of their love, and I admired how all of their friends and family were acknowledging the fact that we all just felt humbled to be witnessing the love between James and Kaitlyn. It was a special day.

I have to say, though, one of my favorite moments of the day was when I was behind the camera filming James’ thank you speech to all of his family, both Kaitlyn’s parents, his own parents, all of the siblings, grandparents, etc. AND THEN - out of no where, he acknowledges ME by saying how special it is to be having me capture the day as I have been a part of their love story all along. James - you had me in tears there. Thank you so much for that sweet shoutout.

Kaitlyn and James, to say I am inspired by your love is an understatement. People go their whole lives in search of what you two have. You two have a special place in my heart and I am just so blessed to know you, have you as friends, and to capture this incredible love you share as your journey continues to unfold. Thank you making me feel part of the family, I love you guys so much!

Corey & Melissa

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Corey and Melissa got married at the beautiful Holy Names and then celebrated at the Seattle Tennis Club on a gorgeous late August day. I have done several of Melissa's friends' weddings so at this point I feel like a friend of hers, myself, and was SO excited to capture everything for her!

All of the little details of the day were SO Melissa, and so lovely. Corey and his groomsmen were probably the funniest group of guys I've ever met, my tummy was literally hurting from laughing uncontrollably all day. Melissa gave sweet, personalized gifts to her bridesmaids that had them all in tears. We did an intimate first look out on the dock in the afternoon, and Corey's reaction was so cute. Their entire bridal party was so awesome and made photos so much fun, too! (... And I do not say that about every bridal party, haha)

They had their ceremony in a stunning church, Holy Names, followed by an exquisite cocktail hour out on the Seattle Tennis Club lawn, overlooking the water and the mountain. One of my favorite parts of the evening was when Corey's brother gave a heartfelt toast and even had Corey, the jokester who never shows any emotion, in some tears. "Eat, drink, and be merry" was exactly how I would describe the rest of their evening... delicious dinner with donuts for dessert, delightful drinks, so much dancing, laughter, tears, with a little bit of PBC-fight-watching mid reception.

Melissa and Corey, thank you so much for choosing me to capture your beautiful wedding day. It means a lot to me that you guys continue to recommend me to all of your friends, so it was even MORE of an honor to finally get to capture this day for YOU! Love you guys.

Venue- Seattle Tennis Club

Day of Coordinator- Julie Gauntt

Photographer/Videographer- RP Imagery

Makeup Artist- Clock Work Beauty (Holly Bowen and Brianna Dean)

Hairstylist- Ashley Ridley Smith

Officiant- Fr. William Heric

Florist- Juniper Flowers

Catering- Seattle Tennis Club

Bartenders and Services- Seattle Tennis Club

DJ- B.B. Santiful

Ceremony Music- Seattle String Trio

Dessert- Top Pot Doughnuts

Bridal Dress: La Belle Elaine's Bridal

Bridesmaid dresses- J. Crew Weddings

Men's attire- Wall Street Custom Tailoring

Transportation/Get Away Car: British Motor Coach