Faith & Eric ~ Jacquot Farm and Vineyard ~ Brush Prairie, Washington

Apparently there is a wedding venue 10 minutes from my house!

I have lived in Vancouver for six years and I had no idea… until Faith reached out to me to inquire about my availability to photograph her wedding at Jacquot Farm and Vineyard.

Faith and Eric lived in the Bay area of California but were planning their late summer wedding in Brush Prairie, closer to Eric’s family. Faith’s family would be traveling from Kenya, so she was happy to say “I do” pretty much anywhere!

I was thankful to get to meet them in person a few months before their wedding when they made a trip up to visit family and take care of some “in person” wedding prep. We met at Wintler Community Park for their engagement photos. They were, so obviously, enamored with each other and it made me that much more excited to be there to celebrate their wedding day with them!

On the day of their wedding, my second photographer and I arrived to find a BEAUTIFULLY decorated reception area with so many beautiful flowers, and the bride and groom (and their attendants) getting ready in separate suites. They planned to stay apart until their first look under the arch at the ceremony site deeper into the vineyard’s property.

While Eric was busy getting his suit and boutonniere on, Faith and her bridesmaids were filling their suite with laughter and prayer for a happy, healthy marriage. When it was time for their first look, Eric made his way to the ceremony site, and turned his back… allowing Faith (and the peeking eyes of the bridesmaids) to sneak in behind him.

Faith was determined not to cry and mess up her make-up… but I could tell that it was definitely a challenge for her to stay composed and collected when she saw her husband-to-be for the first time that day!

After a moment together, and some photos, the two lovebirds retreated back to their suites to await the ceremony.

The ceremony itself was beautiful and incorporated cultural elements from both sides of the family, with the couple taking communion together, followed by Eric’s parents tying a leso around each of them after they exchanged their vows. This African tradition signifies warmth, welcome, uniformity, and oneness.

After the ceremony, and more photos, the couple headed back to the reception area for their first dance below the amazing floral hoops that Eric’s mother made. The had a delicious dinner, cut the cake, and shared stories in the way of toasts. Faith made the final speech and had so much to say about her love for Eric, his family, and the friends who had helped to bring them all together.

It was a gorgeous day at Jacquot, and I’m so honored that I was asked to be there with them. Congratulations Eric and Faith. I know that your marriage will be as beautiful, full of love, happy, and colorful as your wedding day! Thank you for trusting me to document the beginning of your lives as a family!