Category : .Weddings

{Meredith + Joe} Wedding; The Blacksmith Restaurant Bend, Oregon

From day one, Meredith and Joe have been easy-going, relaxed and just plain happy.  As a prelude, the engagement session was filled with laughs (and towards the end even a few cocktails), so when we geared up for the wedding, we knew it was going to be one big party.  Holding true to their philosophy for ‘great drinks, great food and great people’, Meredith and Joe chose The Blacksmith Restaurant in Bend, Oregon as their special place.  The staff was AMAZING and made it an easy process.  The wedding was simple, crowded by the best of family and friends and the toasts had everyone practically rolling with laughter and joy.

We have to say that Meredith and Joe have been one our forefront supporters from day one of hiring us and we are SO grateful.  They even had a separate table, with name tags, for us at the wedding and a full course meal – a special touch which was over the top.  Thank you, thank you for letting us share this experience with you both and jumping on suggestions for fun places to shoot!  The night topper was when Meredith jumped on the backlit bar.

You two are amazing and we are so happy as you start your new journey together.  CHEERS!

Best,

B + W

Soon after their ‘first look’ at 10 Below at The Oxford Hotel

Mere, has anyone told you that you have the most FANTASTIC legs!  So, jealous – Wendy

A unique angle getting ready to head down for the ‘first look.’

Oh, how Wendy loves detail shots   They had these super cool matches…

Mere and Joe surrounded by MoH and Best Man and brother, Nick.

The ceremony…

As their closest friends and family look on set through the reflection of the wine glasses, Mere and Joe say their vows.

With only a few drops of sweat and tears, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Davis!

As a special treat, their steaks were ‘flambeed.’  Did I spell that right?  Oh, that’s hot!

Joyous toasts with story after story of these two…so fun.

A little fun after the ceremony, grawrrr.

Mere’s Cinderella moment, as her prince charming puts on her blue slipper.

To: Mere and Joe; From: The Blacksmith Staff!  Congrats!  Disclaimer:  This is only meant as a joke and the staff are NOT actually drinking their liquor

High class ambiance.

Forever more their anniversary will be shared with Joe’s birthday – double the celebration!  The whole gang sang for Joe and the staff entertained him with a GIANT cookie.

On a whim, the bride decides to chill out on top of the beautifully lit bar.  Mere is one of those fearless types we love.

New Client Meeting Space – The Next Frontier

We’re very excited to announce our new client meeting space in conjunction with wedding florist, Singing Sparrow.  Coffee shops no more, we’re delving to the next frontier by dipping a toe into the water of formal client space.  Singing Sparrow has a beautiful space in front of their workshop where we’ll be holding our client meetings and showings from now on.  We’re excited to make the switch and share such a cute space.

Oh, the best part is we’re across the street from Strictly Organic (so a coffee fix is 10 paces) and our friends at Audette Media (An Internet Marketing Boutique) are above us.  For those of you that would like more specific directions, here’s a direct map to our new showing location across from the Old Mill area.

And because a post is not as fun without a pic, here’s a few of the new fun space!

All the best,

B + W

Nicole from Singing Sparrow has impeccable taste for decorating, no?

The outside is a big, red barn

And the neighbors, a new cool women’s clothing shop, was named after this little princess, Kariella.

{Emily + David} Wedding – McMenamins Bend, Oregon

This awesome San Francisco couple were such a joy to photograph.  Their wedding, hosted by McMenamins Old St. Francis, got the brunt of the weird weather Bend has been having lately but thankfully, when you’re surrounded by your best friends and family, even the weather can’t get you down.

Everything from the getting ready toasts, the ‘first sighting’ under the arbor, the umbrella shots to the ceremonial flowers and kiss had a sparkle to them.  Even when the rain was a damper, it helped the colors become more vibrant – isn’t it good luck anyway?

The absolute highlight came at the very end of the evening right as we were ready to go.  We said briefly, gosh it’d be great to get some shots in the soaking pool area and Emily replied, ‘Yeah!  Let’s do it’ – grabbed David and that was it.  She casually dipped her feet in for relief when we briefly mentioned that we’d always wanted to shoot a bride in her dress in the pool.  Inch by inch, she said “what about this?”  Then…she went for it   She looked like a goddess and I can’t imagine how that must have felt after the energy of the day.  We weren’t expecting such fearlessness (it was a like a trash the dress session on the wedding day!) but were like, yeah GO FOR IT!

Thank you, Emily + David for such a FUN day and choosing to share your shining moment with us.

All the best,

B + W

First frame of the day out the camera and it’s a keeper.

Here are the bridesmaids picking out wedding jewelry and completely oblivious to how adorable they all look in their rollers.

The ladies toast with cosmos…

…the men toast with PBRs

<teary> The father-in-law hugs the bride in a moment of bliss at first sighting of her in her dress.</teary>

Love the macro for ring shots!

Bride and Matron of Honor right before the ‘first sighting.’

Groomsmen crash the ‘first sighting’ moment

5 minutes before the rain but man does it make for great exposure!

…and rain cometh.  Sadly it decided to gush right at the family photos, which put a temporary damper on things.

When the rain past, the smiles came again!

Bride and Father of the Bride headed toward the aisle…

With a ceremonial offering, friends and family placed flowers around the Bride + Groom.

The ring exchange.

75% frosting, 25% cake…and all of it DELICIOUS!

…he thought it was delicious too!  Too bad we didn’t get frosting on the nose – that would have been cute

Mini-cake and cupcakes by Kellie’s Cakes

For details, they had custom printed matches, dated M & Ms and custom wine classes for guest gifts – beautiful.

Love this casual, classic shot.  Camera unaware, playing with the dress.

The first dance out back at O’Kanes.  DJ by Star Productions

Father, daughter dance under the light globes

As one of the highlights of the evening and one of our all-time favorite shots, Emily decided to take a dip in the soaking pool with her dress

{Karen + Greg} Wedding Reception Photography; The Oxford Hotel in Bend, Oregon

After spending such a great time with Karen + Greg for their wedding in Captiva Island, Florida, we had the pleasure of meeting them back in Bend, Oregon for their big bash at The Oxford Hotel.  These two know how to have some fun and The Oxford was transformed for them into almost a nightclub scene like we were in a major metropolitan city.  Truly, it was easy on the eyes and camera

Karen + Greg (as you met in the engagement session) are a casual, fun-loving couple and this night didn’t disappoint.  Complete with passed hors d’oeuvres, full bar, king crab buffet, projected slideshow of their wedding, masterful cake and dancing all night long…it even cured Karen’s flu and made her smile ear-to-ear.

We’d like to thank the vendors that made it so seamless and beautiful to photograph: Venue and Food – The Oxford Hotel; Floral – Leaf & Petal Floral Design; Cake – Enlightened Patisserie; DJ – Star Productions; Event Design – West Coast Event Productions

All the best to you two and hugs to you both!

B + W

The official Stillwell cake

The Karen fan club!

The food was drool worthy – for SURE.

Love this shot – the sweetness of friendship

{Karen + Greg} Wedding Photography; Captiva Island, Florida

Right as Karen was ready to step onto the sand in Captiva Island, Florida and walk down the beach aisle, she looked up and took a deep breath.  The sun was right behind the clouds at sunset throwing the most beautiful rays down to the ocean.  She slipped off her sandals and walked barefoot toward her closest friends, family and future husband.  Greg is a bit shy but when Karen walked down the aisle, he had the BIGGEST smile on…it was the exact experience they had both envisioned.

Byron and I were fortunate to travel to this adorable little island on the Gulf coast in Florida and were greeted by sun, warmth and piña coladas!  The sunset that evening provided the most powerful detail – all their prayers for good weather were answered!  The ceremony was simple, sweet and casual – just what these two were looking for in a joining of their two families.

The reception (follow up post coming soon) was held in Bend, Oregon at The Oxford Hotel a few weeks later and included a catered party and slide show of their wedding for friends and family at this new, hip hot spot downtown.

Karen, Greg – we wish you the both so much joy and fun on this next chapter.

B + W

The Golden Sandal

What a great smile Greg!  Isn’t Karen beautiful?

A-MAZING sunset.

Our favorite   The sun shines on both of you Karen + Greg.

Adorable

Oh yeah, Charlie’s Angels or is Bond Girls?

{Monica + Todd} Wedding Photography; Awbrey Glen Bend, Oregon

Simple beauty.  Two words to describe Monica and Todd and their wedding day.  They share a simple, obvious love that was captured with family and friends to witness recently at Awbrey Glen Golf Club in Bend, Oregon.  We had the fortunate pleasure to play paparazzi to this fantastic couple and document their wedding journey.  From champagne in the dressing room, to a long first wedding kiss and waving golfers as they pass by…it was a fun, eventful day!  One of our favorite moments was when the officiant signed their wedding certificate, the last to make it official, as Monica and Todd embraced in the background.

Thank you, Monica and Todd.  We had a lot of fun (and even ran into a few friends!).  We wish you and your family  the best and look forward to sharing more of life’s experiences (Monica is a life coach and Toastmaster friend) in and around Bend!  A toast to you as you embark together on the next chapter…

Best,

Byron and Wendy

A stunning bride…just look at those eyes!

Aren’t those the best group of men you’ve seen?

The transformed Awbrey Glen Golf Club…

The first kiss and new wedding band to seal the ceremony.

The maid of honor and their daughter waits patiently in the receiving line.

They seriously picked the one 60 degree day in March in Bend – a serendipitous treat!

Blowing kisses to the bride and groom

Oh, I think she enjoyed the cake – don’t you?!

The first dance…

A tribute to Todd’s mother, there in spirit and remembered…