It’s been a whirlwind of a week because I’ve been out of town for my annual trip to WPPI. It’s been a long 5 days of shooting and learning and tradeshow walking, I can’t wait to share with you how CHARGED up and inspired I am about photography in this moment. But until my brain has a chance to process, I’m taking advantage of the free wifi in the Las Vegas airport on my way out of town to share with you a session I did with Matt and Breanne in Las Vegas! Matt and Breanne are long time friends of ours and we couldn’t be more excited for them to start their family! They’re having a boy!!! I’m so honored that they drove all the way from Ventura for this session. We braved the frigid cold and played in the desert. Breanne is a very talented portrait photographer herself, so I was a bit intimidated walking into this. Best thing about shooting Breanne and Matt = they laugh so easily! And they already know my dumb jokes, still…. they laugh.

Love you guys!

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Well everyone, it’s been far too long since I let you in on what we’ve been up to for the wedding! Part of this is because we just really haven’t found a venue we can agree on. We have seen SO MANY venues, but nothing is really completely speaking to us as a couple. It’s important to both Billy and I that our venue represents us, and is something memorable and special! We aren’t the type to just say “that’s a venue, that will do!”. I’m pretty set on wanting a barn venue, but mostly we just want something unique and cool! What we do have is a clear design, a planner we love, a florist, a caterer, and a band. NOW if we only had somewhere to put them!

Here are some of the venues we’ve seen and our thoughts on them, keep in mind these are just OUR OPINIONS, and if you’re looking for a venue yourself, I suggest you visit them in person and form your own!

We decided to hold a date at the Blue Rooster in Oregon. The owner is really flexible and I love the rustic appeal of the venue. This feels like “THE” venue to me. But Billy isn’t completely sold. He is having difficulty understanding my “vision”. Imagination is priceless I tell you! There isn’t a commercial kitchen so I need to check with whatever caterer we choose to make sure this will work!

Here is a sneak peak at my wedding inspiration book. I’ve gotten some pretty weird looks when I pull this out for people to see. What can I say? I’m type-A, organized, and I know what I want!

Russell’s Barn: We LOVE the inside of this venue. when you first walk in it’s like looking up into the belly of a ship. It’s a great size, and would be a perfect option for a ceremony that was being held at a different location. Doing a flip here seems almost impossible with 250 guests. On another note, Russell will likely be doing our catering if we tie the knot in Seattle. His food is AMAZING, hands down one of the best in Washington.

I also visited Sodo Park in Seattle, Billy hasn’t seen it in person yet. I love this venue too. The venue is completely indoor. This would be GREAT if it rains, or if we decide we want an off season wedding. Their facility rental also includes so much! The chairs we want, tables, china, linens. It’s all in there. You can’t bring in an outside caterer, but their food is really really really good.

We attended Weddings in Woodinville this year. What an unusual and fun event! I was completely impressed and if you aren’t getting married until 2011 check it out next year! On this tour we saw, Novelty Hill + Januk, Columbia Winery, JM Cellars, DeLille, Willows Lodge, and Russells Barn again. I love the look of Novelty, but the size doesn’t fit us, they max out at 200. It’s not ideal for lots of kids and there are 40 on our guest list. Willows and JM were too small, DeLille and Columbia weren’t our style.

Some other venues we’ve checked out are Swan’s Trail Farm, Tazer Valley Farm in Stanwood, and of course our favorite, Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. Swan’s Trail is awesome! This one is a major contender, and it’s only 15 minutes from our house. Tazer Valley is another favorite, it’s grounds are impressive. The barn doesn’t seat very many people, but they provide tenting so that makes it work.

Rosario broke my heart. It’s perfect for us, but only for 140 of our guests. We’d have to get married in shifts, hahaha.  There are also a few things I wouldn’t like about having it here. The have two ceremony locations and two reception locations. For smaller groups (max 140) you can use the music room, which is so beautiful I almost collapsed when I saw it. Smaller groups also fit into the smaller dining room that is part of the mansion. There is a larger ballroom that can accommodate up to 300 people, but it isn’t built in the same fashion as the resort, so it’s a bit dissappointing. I would want get married at Rosario because of the historic aesthetic, hence the smaller dining room. We can’t imagine how we would manage to cut the guest list by 100 people. It would be impossible.

In Oregon we looked at Blue Rooster of course, Langdon Farms, The Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Heidi Tunnel Catering Co. Furrer Farms, and several wineries that simply will not do.

So here we are….. I’m thinking of buying my own wedding venue. If you know anyone who is trying to sell property with a historic barn on it. Please give them my phone number, we’ll talk.

Hopefully we’ll make our decision soon!

xoxo,

Laura

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Warren and Samantha had their first date on Valentine’s Day, by accident. Wrap your head around that one! FIRST DATE. When I heard that story I couldn’t stop laughing. Warren asked her out, she said yes, and neither of them put together that Friday, that day they were going out…. for the very first time…. was a lover’s holiday. No pressure there! They were also engaged on Valentine’s Day and now, what seems like a lifetime later, made their marriage vows at Semiahmoo Resort. On Valentine’s Day.

Warren and Samantha are two of the most genuine people I know. I feel so lucky to call them friends. I talked in depth last week on the blog about how important it is for you to have clear goals with your wedding photographer, and while I wasn’t their “official” photographer, I wanted to share with you some of the highlights I captured when I took over toward the end of the night.

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I’ve always thought that it’s a terribly romantic idea to keep the sex of your baby a surprise. Information is so accessible these days, it’s refreshing to relish in on of life’s most rewarding mysteries. I’m so excited for them I can hardly stand it. I know you are too, so you’ll be glad to hear that as soon as this baby is born we’re doing a newborn session! We met in Redmond and headed to Marymoor Park. Such an awesome place for a Saturday in the sun!

Liz and Ryan are actually one of my all time FAVORITE romantic wedding memories, so I’ll share with you that little tid bit. They met at Oregon State (boooo…. go Ducks! Just kidding, kind of), and were married on a blustery fall day in Oregon 5 years ago. I remember watching in awe as Ryan and Liz swayed back and forth in the middle of the room during their first dance. Ryan is hearing impaired but didn’t miss a beat, and as they stared into each others eyes, Ryan asked Liz what the song was. She glanced up, mouthed “unforgettable” and then laid her head back on his shoulder. It truly was. I’ve never forgotten that moment, or how hot my tears were, or how full my heart was. Liz and Ryan define what a true partnership is.

I’m so excited to see their family grow, and can’t wait to meet this little one. I just love babies. Especially the part where other people have them. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to document this amazing time in your lives!

Ok I know I have a thing for flare, but I can’t help it… we’ve had the MOST amazing weather here in Seattle the last few weeks. Warm, and full of light.

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GIVING BACK IN FEBRUARY

I set a goal this year to do more for others with my business, last month I gave away a free portrait session (actually three) and this month I’m doing something even crazier!

I learned about Portrait House briefly last year at WPPI because the A-listers in photography were participating in the kick off of promoting it (yes, for all of you confused civillians…. in our community, there are celebrity photographers). I contacted Justin and Mary Marantz with my idea for this shoot and BANG, here we are. I’m producing a photo shoot to raise money and awareness for Portrait House. Portrait House is essentially a thoroughfare for us to participate in giving back. They have an active project list, project one: build a house for Habitat! They are still working on getting their non-profit status set up, so aren’t in the full swing of accomplishing their goals, but when they do! Look out! It’s going to be huge! With my mad production skills, and their cause combined we have an amazing portfolio building shoot set up to raise money for Portrait House in Vegas during WPPI.

In 3 short weeks, 25 photographers, 7 beautiful subjects,  one amazing goal! Win win win win.

I could go on and on about what I’ve set up for us to do, but that would spoil the surprise! The shoot has unfortunately sold out, so if you didn’t get a seat I do feel bad for you, it’s going to be pretty unreal.

Don’t worry though, next year we’ll be doing it again…. and maybe twice!

You can learn more about this PHotoshoot PHor PHamily here. AND on another note: If you are a couple interested in being photographed for the shoot (or know someone who might be) and will be in Vegas on March 7th, Please contact me!

THIS CHOCOLATE

I’m not a huge candy junkie, I much prefer my cake. However, I bought these for my clients for Valentines Day, and should never have let them cross the threshold of my home. I found out that I could eat my weight in Fran’s Gray Sea Salt and DARK chocolate caramels.

HANGING LAUNDRY ON THE LINE

Ok I’m a closet environmentalist, Billy calls me “recycle nazi”. I have a serious affection with hanging my laundry on the line, it feeds my soul! The sun, my toes in the grass, the smell of the clean laundry…. Yummm. The last few days it has been so beautiful and ::::GASP:::: sunny here in Seattle! I’m simply giddy! I can’t wait for the summer to start so I can hang my laundry outside.