On this rainy fall day I am thinking back to warm summer weddings like this one at Jean Marie’s Garden in White Salmon, Washington. About an hour from Portland up the Columbia Gorge sits a cute and expansive property with a barn, cabin, glamping tents, views of Mt Hood and beautiful fields. It’s perfect for a fully outdoor wedding and was especially ideal for this intimate wedding group.
Natasha and Cody hired me to do their engagement photos at Wahclella Falls back in 2019 and had plans to travel to Greece with their closest family and friends for their wedding this year. With travel restrictions and Natasha being a Covid-19 nurse they were forced to make a change of plans. Luckily, they found this spot was available and sprung for a Monday afternoon wedding! It was a HOT clear summer day filled with love.
Their were 14 people total, including myself, which made for such an intimate and fun evening! We started in the little one room cabin on the property where Natasha got ready with her maid of honor. She did first looks with her sister, Mom, and Dad which were all really sweet moments, not shared for privacy sake. Natasha carried her two grandmothers with her on her wedding day, attached to her bouquet.
Next, we all moved up to the ceremony where Natasha walked down the aisle with a parasol covering her until she got close enough for the “first look.” This was something I hadn’t seen done before and was really sweet! Their basset hound, Violet was the flower girl and did a fabulous job in her role. The rest of the night was a dinner with a striking sunset, cake, and first dances under a string lit tent. Mt Hood made appearances throughout the night which was so special.
Although this wasn’t Plan A, it was so clear how excited Natasha and Cody were to just be getting married, regardless of the circumstances before them. In a time filled with so much uncertainty and fear, being a part of this day was such a high moment bringing us all hope and love. Congrats Mr. & Mrs. Schaffer!
