Shawn & Jill

What I love most about Shawn & Jill is their genuine zest for life. They are both such creative and joyful and fun (<< super fun) individuals that together it's easy to see they will most certainly conquer the world. Their style is the most delightful combination of quirky and classy and their wedding was a truly beautiful reflection of this style. So when the crowd stood and the music began, nobody was too surprised to hear Jill and her father walk down that life changing aisle to the Star Wars melody. It was perfectly Jill and it was perfectly Shawn and on that early August evening everything was perfectly them. Shawn & Jill, I want to hug you and high five you and run through fields taking pictures with you all at the same time. Your excitement for life radiates throughout all you do and it was so fun to see that joy reflected in your wedding. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for letting me document the day you laced up your Converse Chuck's and became Mr. & Mrs. Chapman!

M.

I'm having a serious love affair with Jill's ring. And while I know it's wrong, I covet it. Isn't it absolutely stunning?!

Jill, a student at George Fox University, hand carved the figures below (in the likeness of herself and her groom) to be placed on top of the wedding cake. Making them, hands down, the most detailed and creative cake toppers I've ever seen!

The bride's father made the arbor below specifically for his daughter's wedding day. And after adorning it with draping hops plants, it made the most beautiful backdrop for Shawn & Jill's ceremony.

Ceremony time!

Shawn with his handsome men...

...and Jill with her gorgeous ladies.

After the formal portraits were finished, Shawn + Jill snuck away for a few bride and groom photos during the sunset.

Hello, Handsome!

I'll leave you with these photos of the happy couple's first dance as husband and wife - because they're pretty, and romantic, and the perfect glimpse into the sweetness that is Shawn & Jill.

Eli + Emily

If Emily is running in circles at roughly 190 miles per minute, Eli is a calm, solid, stable presence in her life. But then it's Emily who brings out that shy, coy, childlike smile in Eli - the joy that no one else can quite capture. Apart from one another they are smart, successful, amazing individuals. But as is a tell tale sign that something is meant to be, together they are a force to be reckoned with. Together they are simply perfect. Earlier this month Emily and Eli were married at a private residence in front of their family and friends and sweet Jesus above. As day turned to evening and evening turned to night, nothing could break the smiles from Eli and Emily's faces. Together they were glowing and radiant and full of joy. And as they danced the night away under the stunning Central Oregon sunset, I couldn't help but smile as well. Their Love is just so sweet and pure and utterly lovely and I feel so blessed to have been present to capture the start of their Happily Ever After.

E + E, you're the type of people that make me realize I truly have the world's best job. Thank you for letting me be part of your incredible day. From start to finish you've treated me as your friend first and your photographer second, and for this I am forever thankful. Thank you for welcoming me in and insisting that I enjoy your day - and your cupcakes : ). You should know that, to the utmost degree, I most certainly enjoyed them both!

Lots of love (<< and then some more!), M.

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Both Emily's dress and the bridesmaids' dresses were sewn by Eli's aunt, Jandi. And ever the perfectionist, as the image on the right shows, Jandi could be found making last minute alterations right up until the moment Emily saw Eli for the first time.

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Emily and Eli opted to see each other for the first time before the wedding. I'm a huge fan of 'first looks' because they allow the couple a few cherished moments to just be themselves before the day's craziness sets in. These sweet moments are often so hard to come by after the ceremony or during the reception.

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After dinner, Emily and Eli wanted to sneak away for a few sunset pictures. And just when I thought I couldn't like these two any more, they go and win me over with more time for portraits. Clearly they know the fastest way to my heart.

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Popcorn?! Yes, please!!

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You might remember the drool-worthy cupcakes from Emily + Eli's engagement session? Well Emily, the baker, wanted to make both the cupcakes and the wedding cake for her big day. And when I asked Em if she wouldn't mind holding her cake for a few photos, she couldn't stop smiling. Then she squealed and mentioned something about how it was even better than holding her own bouquet.

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And a sparkler send off sealed with a kiss...

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Daniel & Ashley

I had been looking forward to their wedding since their sweet, country engagement session last fall. It was on that day when I had the chance to hear all about their wedding plans, their life dreams, and their mutual love for pups Trey & Axel. It was also on that day that I realized Daniel & Ashley were just about as great a couple as they come. They're kind and caring and genuine and authentic, and beyond all of their fantastic character traits, they're fun! So much fun. With qualities like this I knew their wedding would be one to remember. Daniel and Ashley were married last month at the Larkin family ranch. With towering Junipers and an array of natural Central Oregon landscape, it was the perfect backdrop for a country wedding. And with the attention these two paid to detail, their day was just as beautiful as it was meaningful.

Rene of Rene's Maison des Fleurs created the most beautifully breathtaking floral arrangements. Each a little different but equally as stunning, I could have spent the entire day taking pictures of just the flowers.

Remember Trey + Axle - the pups from Daniel and Ashley's engagement session (and also the most photogenic dogs in the world)? As I was trying to document Ashley's bouquet and boots, Axel was pretty insistent upon being in the picture. I think he's equal parts farm dog and Diva.

Ceremony time!

Instead of lighting a unity candle or pouring sand into a glass jar, Daniel and Ashley put their own spin on the wedding tradition. The two carved their initials into a tree that stood at the ceremony site. Forever marking their place on the family ranch.

Ashley's parents went to great lengths to can homemade pickles for wedding favors. It was the details like this that made Daniel & Ashley's wedding a dream to photograph.

A sweet first dance as husband and wife...

...followed by a few more portraits in the dewey evening light.

I was so excited to see Trey make an appearance at the reception. Axle had his moment in the spotlight before the wedding, so I think Trey was feeling a bit left out. He completely cut a rug on that dance floor.

Daniel and Ashley, le sigh. It was truly an honor to be part of your day. Thank you for inviting me in and treating me like family. For letting me capture your joy and your love and your story. My gratitude stretches to the sky and I hope you know I think the world of you both!

Lots of love, Michelle