Stephanie & Kyle ~ Providence Academy Hall & Chapel ~ Vancouver, WA

Most times, when I'm hired to capture a wedding... I don't already know my couples ahead of time! Because of this, I take some time to talk with my soon-to-be newlyweds to get acquainted with them and learn more about their relationship, too.

In this case, though, I was already super familiar with the couple I was working with... along with the venue where they chose to get married! Stephanie and Kyle are long-term clients, coworkers, neighbors, and friends of my husband and mine. Plus, I've photographed their family for about five years now, so they're no strangers to being in front of my camera!

They planned for the wedding to be on their 10-year anniversary, and the venue they chose was the Historic Providence Academy in Vancouver, Washington. When they shared this decision with me, I thought back to another wedding I shot at the same location and remembered how beautiful the entire venue was! I knew that Stephanie and Kyle would be having a big day to remember filled with friends, family, and a gorgeous setting.

On the morning of their wedding, I started getting myself ready for the day... and also prepared my husband to join me as a second shooter. Yep, you heard that right! I figured that my husband would be attending as a guest anyway, so it would make sense to have him catch some angles I wasn’t able to, get some behind-the-scenes photos of me at work, and also make sure I had food and water throughout the day.

While we were getting ready ourselves, Stephanie was busy getting her makeup done by Emily Filice offsite. The look turned out SO stunning yet neutral and allowed her eyes to really shine! Her hair was styled in a classy updo with a twist on the side.

Stephanie and Kyle both arrived at Providence Academy around 4:00 pm, and their first look was scheduled for 5:00 pm. Right before Stephanie approached Kyle for their first look, I could already tell that Kyle was at ease and excited to see his future bride. Once they saw each other, they pulled each other into a big, loving hug.

Before we knew it, it was time for the ceremony to start! The ceremony was set to take place in the Providence Academy Chapel. Stephanie and Kyle's wedding party wore wine colored dresses and ties that looked so elegant and cohesive as they all made their way down the aisle.

I also noticed that the wedding party was mainly made up of their children! It was so special to see that two of their groomsmen, one bridesmaid, and their flower boy were actually their kids. Later on in the ceremony, each of these family members (along with Stephanie and Kyle) placed a special puzzle piece on a wooden display that read, "the pieces of us make our family whole." Overall, the ceremony included their blended family beautifully!

Before the reception began, my husband and I captured some of the fun, decorative details that the couple placed around the venue! We made sure to take photos of the wedding cake, some of their centerpieces, and Stephanie's bouquet which included tributes to her loved ones.

The reception was in full swing, and in no time... it was already time for Stephanie and Kyle to cut the cake! The cake cutting was full of smiles and laughs from the newlyweds. The cake was absolutely delicious and made by Chandelier Bakery in Vancouver, Washington.

Then, Stephanie and Kyle had their first dance in front of their loved ones. They chose to dance to "Wanna Be That Song" by Brett Eldredge, which is all about wanting to be a meaningful song that moves the one you love. It was a touching choice that was so perfect for the couple! As they were dancing, you could see the deep love and joy radiating from both of their faces.

Thank you so much to Stephanie and Kyle for including us in your big day and trusting us to capture these special moments for you! You two have such a beautiful life together, and I'm so excited to see the shared journey you'll continue to take.

If you're planning an upcoming wedding and looking for a photographer to capture your memories, I'd love to chat with you! Click on the button below to get started.